Friends of the Earth - Executive Advisor, Strategic Partnerships

Title: Executive Advisor, Strategic Partnerships 

Department: Membership & Development 

Reports To: VP Membership & Development 

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Union Position: yes 

Location: Remote 

Friends of the Earth is a hard-hitting, progressive, environmental organization that pulls no punches and speaks sometimes uncomfortable truth to power. It's an approach that has worked for five decades to produce important victories that help protect our planet and its people. We're part of Friends of the Earth International, a federation of groups working in more than 70 countries on today's most urgent environmental and social issues.

To accomplish our mission, Friends of the Earth is working at the nexus of environmental protection, economic policy and social justice to fundamentally transform the way our country and the world value people and the environment.

The Membership and Development team fuels this work by deepening supporters' connection to our mission through thoughtful communication and exceptional funder engagement.

Executive Advisor, Strategic Partnerships 

Position Summary 

The Executive Advisor, Strategic Partnerships, is a senior fundraising strategist responsible for securing significant philanthropic investments from foundations and institutional funders. This role manages a select portfolio of current and prospective funders with the greatest potential for transformational revenue growth. Will be responsible for achieving an annual fundraising goal of $1.7M. 

Working in partnership with the President, Vice President of Membership and Development, and program leadership, the Executive Advisor develops and executes cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that deepen relationships and secure philanthropic support aligned with organizational priorities. In addition to managing their own portfolio, the Executive Advisor contributes fundraising expertise, philanthropic intelligence, and strategic insight that strengthen fundraising effectiveness across the organization. 

This role is a senior individual contributor position responsible for advancing philanthropic revenue and strategic funding partnerships through direct relationship management and fundraising leadership. 

The annual salary range for this full-time, remote position is $140,000 - $160,000.00. Starting salary is determined by qualifications, skills, and experience relevant to the role. This position is represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). The first three (3) months of employment constitute an introductory (probationary) period. 

Essential Functions 

Strategic Fundraising & Portfolio Management (35%)

• Manage a portfolio of select foundations and institutional funders with significant revenue potential. 

• Develop and execute comprehensive cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and partnership strategies that result in increased philanthropic investment and long-term funder engagement. 

• Serve as the primary fundraising lead for assigned relationships, coordinating engagement strategies with organizational leadership and program staff to maximize funding opportunities. 

• Achieve annual fundraising and portfolio growth goals through successful solicitation, renewal, upgrade, and acquisition strategies. 

New Funder Relationship Development (30%)

• Identify, qualify, and cultivate new funding opportunities that align with strategic organizational goals. 

• Partner with senior leaders and program staff to develop engagement strategies that open doors and deepen funder commitment. 

• Represent the organization in funder meetings, philanthropic convenings, and other external engagements that support relationship development and revenue growth. 

Funding Strategy & Proposal Development (20%)

• Lead or support the development of compelling proposals, concept papers, presentations, reports, and other funder-facing communications that advance funding opportunities. 

• Provide strategic guidance on proposal positioning, messaging, and relationship strategy to strengthen fundraising outcomes. 

• Monitor funding trends and philanthropic priorities to identify opportunities for growth and investment. 

Organizational Fundraising Partnership & Philanthropic Intelligence (15%)

• Share relationship intelligence, philanthropic insights, and fundraising best practices that strengthen fundraising effectiveness across the organization and program areas. 

• Serve as a thought partner on complex funding opportunities and philanthropic trends affecting organizational fundraising efforts. 

• Support leadership and program staff in preparing strategic funder engagements by providing guidance on relationship strategy, messaging, and cultivation approaches. 

• Contribute to a collaborative fundraising culture that promotes alignment, information sharing, and funder-centered relationship management. 

Required Qualifications 

• Twelve or more years of experience in institutional fundraising, foundation relations, and/or program development and leadership, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Demonstrated success securing high six or seven-figure philanthropic investments from foundations and institutional funders. 

• Proven experience managing complex funder portfolios and achieving ambitious fundraising goals. 

• Experience developing and executing cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that result in increased philanthropic investment. 

• Strong relationship management skills with the ability to build credibility and trust with funders, donors, executives, program leaders, and external partners. 

• Skilled written and verbal communicator with experience developing proposals, presentations, and funder-facing communications. 

• Ability to analyze philanthropic trends, funder interests, and funding opportunities and translate insights into fundraising strategies. 

• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex organizational environments and build productive partnerships across teams. 

• Ability to travel domestically up to 15% of the time. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Fifteen or more years' experience securing philanthropic investments in environmental, conservation, advocacy, public interest, or social justice organizations. 

• Experience partnering with executive leaders and program staff on complex fundraising opportunities. 

• Knowledge of the philanthropic landscape and funding community relevant to the organization's mission. 

• Candidates located in or near Washington, DC, New York City, or the San Francisco Bay Area are preferred. Candidates residing elsewhere should have reasonable access to a commercial airport to support frequent domestic business travel. 

Perks and Benefits: 

We're proud to be a generous, people-first employer that invests in your growth and well-being. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to help you thrive both personally and professionally: 

• 37.5-hour workweek to support work-life balance 

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage (80% for eligible dependents) 

• Disability and life insurance for added security 

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care 

• 401(k) retirement plan with company match 

• Generous paid time off, including: 

o 25 vacation days in the first year

o 15 paid holidays 

o 20 sick days 

o 3 floating holidays 

o Summer Fridays (the last two Fridays in July and all Fridays in August) 

o Winter break (office closed between December 24 – January 1) 

o Parental leave, sabbatical options, and more 

• Professional development and IT stipend 

• Education reimbursement and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 

Friends of the Earth is an equal opportunity employer who encourages applications from women, people of color and other members of underrepresented groups who will contribute to the diversity of its staff. In compliance with federal law, all people hired will be required to verify identity and complete eligibility verification upon hire