Senior Development Officer

Rest of World is an international non-profit newsroom that challenges expectations about whose experiences with technology matter. We connect dots across a rapidly evolving digital world, through on-the-ground reporting in places typically overlooked and underestimated.

Since launching in 2020, we’ve published stories from nearly 100 countries outside the West. Our work explores the spaces where tech, business, culture and human experience collide, through compelling storytelling and fresh, innovative design.

Our journalism ranges from deep authoritative reporting to highlighting surprising online cultural phenomenons. We’ve covered everything from gig workers, internet shutdowns, and supply chain abuses to livestreaming battles, disappeared influencers, and unexpected crypto contagion. Our reporting has won recognition in the U.S. and internationally, and our work has prompted companies and policymakers to take action.

To drive our next phase of growth, we are looking to hire an energetic Senior Development Officer. This is a new role at Rest of World, designed to raise financial support so we can deliver on the ambition of our mission and expand our impact. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Senior Development Officer is an experienced fundraising generalist responsible for managing a portfolio of institutional and individual donors and prospects, strategically cultivating and stewarding them, and implementing processes and systems that deepen our relationships with funders.   

The successful candidate will be a focused, strategic, and collaborative fundraising professional with excellent communication skills who can meet deadlines and excel in a startup environment. The Senior Development Officer will bring demonstrable fundraising success and be capable of implementing core development strategies, including donor engagement, prospecting, proposal development, reporting, and pipeline management. The Senior Development Officer will assist with preparing presentations and other fundraising materials for cultivation events, individual donor prospects, foundation solicitations, and stewardship.

This role is an opportunity for a mission-driven fundraiser to bring their development expertise & desire to build something new to an innovative global news organization at a pivotal time in our growth. We believe the story of technology is as big as the world that’s using it. Our Senior Development Officer will play a significant role in our ability to tell the story of how tech products and entrepreneurs are reshaping people and communities in emerging markets.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage a portfolio of institutional and individual philanthropic donors, both in the US and abroad
• Personally engage donors through one-on-one in-person meetings, events, video conferences, and phone
• Meet/exceed annual and long term fundraising revenue targets from mission-aligned sources
• Write concept notes, LOIs, proposals, reports and other written funder deliverables
• Create funder profiles and other background prep materials
• Systematically research prospective new funders, prioritize the results, and implement a sound strategy to engage them
• Manage the CRM and implement desired customizations to improve functionality
• Represent Rest of World at conferences and other industry events 
• Support the planning and development of donor-related events throughout the year

• 5-7 years in a fundraising role; experience with nonprofit media is a plus
• A track record of successful fundraising, including meeting revenue targets
• Superior written & verbal communication skills, a sharp strategic thinker 
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to interact effectively with internal and external stakeholders and build sustainable long term relationships
• Ability to move multiple projects forward while operating at a fast pace
• A deadline-driven mentality and someone who does balances quality with timeliness
• Deep familiarity with managing CRMs, prospecting platforms, and other backend infrastructure to enable fundraising
• Naturally collaborative, work well independently but also enjoys working with diverse colleagues in different disciplines across regions, languages and time zones 
• A genuine belief in our mission coupled with a deep appreciation for journalism and its role in society, especially international stories

This role can be based anywhere in the United States – with a willingness to travel regularly to our NYC HQ – and candidates must be eligible to work in the US.

The expected salary range for this position is $120,000-$140,000.

Please note, the salary range is an estimate of what we expect to pay for this role. The final compensation package will factor in the individual’s accomplishments, previous experience and location. To apply, please send a CV/resumé and a short cover letter to jobs@restofworld.org with “Senior Development Officer” in the subject line. In your cover letter, please make sure to elaborate on any relevant experience mentioned in your CV, and tell us what specifically sets you apart from other candidates. We will be accepting applications until Monday, October 16 at 5pm ET.

Here’s what you can expect when you join us:

• Competitive salary (with a raise, promotion and merit bonus framework based on performance and tenure)
• Vacation (20 days), sick leave (10 days), and annual holidays (15 days)
• 401(k) plan (employer matching up to $12,500 per year)
• Flexible Spending Plan (for qualifying medical and dependent care expenses)
• Health, dental and vision insurance
• Long-term and short-term disability insurance (employer-paid)
• Life insurance (employer-paid)
• Supplemental benefit schemes for commute, wellness, childcare and cell phone costs

Rest of World is an equal opportunity workplace. We value inclusion and diversity, and anyone who applies and qualifies for opportunities in the organization will receive consideration for employment without discrimination against age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, color or disability.