Director of Partnerships

About Breakthrough Discoveries

Breakthrough Discoveries is a lean, high-impact nonprofit dedicated to changing the trajectory of bipolar disorder research. We believe that by bridging the gap between innovative scientific inquiry and patient-centered care, we can accelerate the next generation of interventions and create a world where all people with bipolar disorder thrive. We prioritize agility, transparency, and a steadfast focus on our mission.

About the Director of Partnerships position

We are looking for a dynamic Director of Partnerships to build and lead the fundraising engine that will fuel Breakthrough Discoveries' growth and drive innovation for mental health research. This role isn't just about closing gifts; it's about designing a development program from the ground up for a lean, mission-driven organization. You will own the full arc of fundraising and partnership development strategy - from pipeline to portfolio to stewardship - ensuring our scientific partners have the resources they need to move fast and think big.

You will serve as a foundational member of our leadership team, shaping how we engage donors, build relationships, and scale impact. We expect you to be an exceptional leader who can build something from very little, move with urgency, and bring others along with you.

Director of Partnerships responsibilities are:

• Fundraising Strategy: Design and drive a comprehensive development strategy aligned to Breakthrough Discoveries' mission and growth targets. Evaluate and refine approaches continuously to meet short- and long-range goals.
• Major Gifts: Cultivate and manage an active portfolio of major and principal gift prospects. Engage directly in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship across individuals, foundations, and corporations.
• Pipeline Architecture: Build a sustainable pipeline through organic inbound leads, prospect research, data analytics, community connection, and strategic outreach. Create the systems and processes that make development repeatable and scalable.
• Donor Relations: Lead a comprehensive stewardship program that deepens donor connection to Breakthrough Discoveries' work. Design acknowledgment processes and engagement strategies that recognize personal motivation and maximize long-term donor potential.
• Community: Build community with change-makers in bipolar research. Lead the development of high-profile events to celebrate the progress in bipolar research. Work to develop action-oriented strategy across the community of mental health funders.
• Team and Infrastructure: Select and implement software and tools to support development operations. Build toward an eventual development team.
• Board and Leadership Engagement: Build strong working relationships with board, advisory, and organizational leaders. Coordinate fundraising efforts to support the organizational vision and shape a compelling philanthropic case for support.
• Compliance and Stewardship: Coordinate with support teams to ensure regulatory and ethical compliance. Represent the organization at internal and external events.

Who are You:

• A Builder: You thrive in early-stage environments. You see a blank slate and instinctively know how to construct something durable.
• A Relationship Architect: You understand that major philanthropy is built on trust, and you have the patience and presence to earn it.
• Mission-Aligned: You have a genuine interest in scientific advancement and empathy for the community living with bipolar disorder.
• Science Savvy: You enjoy talking and learning about the science and clinical care of bipolar disorder and understand the environment of scientists, clinicians, and people with lived experience.
• An Entrepreneurial Leader: You know how to do a lot with a little, and you bring others along without losing momentum.
• A Strategic Executor: You can hold the big picture and manage the details — moving fluidly between vision and implementation.
• Remote Native: You are an expert at digital collaboration and can create meaningful connection from any distance.

Director of Development requirements are:

• 10+ years of progressive fundraising experience, with a demonstrated track record in major gifts and campaign leadership, ideally within a scientific or health-focused nonprofit environment.
• Solid experience across the full development function, including major and principal gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, stewardship, and donor communications.
• Strong practical knowledge of fundraising metrics, portfolio analytics, and performance tracking to inform strategy and report progress against goals.
• Working experience with CRM platforms and fundraising software; comfort adopting and onboarding new tools to support a growing development operation.
• Ability to understand and break down complex scientific and clinical jargon and speak to scientists and non-scientists alike about the value of research.
• Exceptional organizational and leadership abilities, with experience managing or building teams and setting individual and collective fundraising goals.
• Outstanding communication and relationship skills, with the ability to engage credibly and warmly with donors, board members, scientific leaders, and internal colleagues at all levels.
• Familiarity with nonprofit legal and ethical guidelines governing fundraising, donor intent, fund stewardship, and gift acceptance policies.

A Note on Location & Work Eligibility: To be considered for this role, you must currently reside in the U.S. and possess valid, ongoing work authorization that does not require company sponsorship.

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Breakthrough Discoveries is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, especially those with lived experience in the mental health space.