Senior Director of Strategic Philanthropy and External Affairs

Rainforest Foundation US (RFUS) seeks an entrepreneurial, strategic, and innovative development and communications leader to serve as its inaugural Senior Director of Strategic Philanthropy and External Affairs. Reporting to Executive Director Suzanne Pelletier and serving as a key member of the senior management team, this newly elevated and reconfigured role presents a unique opportunity to help shape the next chapter of growth for one of the leading organizations advancing Indigenous rights and tropical forest protection throughout Central and South America.

At a pivotal moment for the Amazon, Indigenous communities, and global climate efforts, RFUS has committed itself to an ambitious vision for the years ahead. Recognizing the urgency of the challenges facing tropical forests and the communities who steward them, the organization has adopted a bold strategy designed not simply to build incrementally upon past successes, but to significantly expand the scale and impact of its work. Achieving that vision will require corresponding growth in philanthropic investment, organizational visibility, and strategic external engagement.

Over the past decade, RFUS has developed a strong and growing philanthropic foundation, particularly among institutional funders. The organization has successfully cultivated a loyal base of foundation and philanthropic partners while also building a broad grassroots donor community. However, as RFUS looks toward its long-term revenue ambitions, leadership recognizes the need to expand beyond its traditional fundraising approaches and significantly strengthen engagement with high-net-worth individuals and family offices capable of making transformational investments in Indigenous-led conservation and forest protection.

To that end, the Senior Director of Strategic Philanthropy and External Affairs (Senior Director) will play a central role in that effort. This leader will develop and execute strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major philanthropic investments while helping position RFUS more prominently within the influential climate and environmental networks. Working in close partnership with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and senior management team, the Senior Director will serve as both strategist and frontline fundraiser, building relationships with donors capable of supporting RFUS at the highest levels and helping establish the organization as a leading philanthropic partner within the climate, conservation, and Indigenous rights sectors. With oversight for a team of ten development and communications professionals, four of whom are direct reports, the Senior Director will lead the continued evolution of both functions, building the capacity, culture, and operational discipline needed to support transformational growth.

As RFUS has grown in complexity and ambition, the organization recognizes the need for a senior leader who can provide dedicated vision, expertise, and management across philanthropy and external affairs. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape the future of these functions, elevating the integration of communications and fundraising strategies and building systems and approaches capable of supporting substantial long-term growth. The ideal candidate will bring a demonstrated record of securing and stewarding significant philanthropic investments, including major and principal gifts from high-net-worth individuals, family foundations, and other mission-aligned donors. Equally important, they will possess the creativity, confidence, and entrepreneurial mindset necessary to open doors to philanthropic circles where RFUS has historically had limited visibility. The organization seeks a leader who is energized by building, willing to challenge conventional approaches, and comfortable serving as both strategist and practitioner in a dynamic and evolving environment.

Beyond fundraising expertise, the Senior Director will possess the credibility and communication skills to serve as a compelling ambassador for RFUS’s mission and impact. This individual will become a trusted partner to the Executive Director, capable of representing the organization with donors, philanthropic intermediaries, sector leaders, and other external audiences. They will be an effective collaborator who can build strong relationships across teams, support and mentor staff, and help align communications and fundraising efforts around a shared vision for organizational growth and impact. The successful candidate will join a highly collaborative and mission-driven leadership team characterized by mutual trust, collegiality, and a shared commitment to strategic thinking. As this moment requires bold ideas and deliberate action, the Senior Director will have an extraordinary opportunity to help shape the future of RFUS while mobilizing critical resources to support Indigenous communities whose leadership is essential to protecting the world’s tropical forests.

Rachel Ellenport and Nicole Poe are leading this search with Noa Boonin and Rebecca Lyons.

Rainforest Foundation US is an equal opportunity employer, and employment is based upon qualifications and competency. RFUS does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sex, military status, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local laws, in any of its activities or operations.