Senior Director of Development

SENIOR DIRECTOR of DEVELOPMENT

POSITION PROSPECTUS | FALL 2026

THE OPPORTUNITY

Global freedom has declined for nearly two decades. From Hong Kong to Belarus to Nicaragua, authoritarian regimes are jailing journalists, dissidents, and pro-democracy voices simply for speaking the truth - even as the demand for freedom has never been more urgent. Democratic backsliding, transnational repression, and shrinking civic space are accelerating around the world, and the pressure to secure democracy has never mattered more.

For 85 years, Freedom House has stood as the world's leading nonpartisan advocate for democracy and human rights - the only organization that fuses rigorous, authoritative research with direct, on-the-ground support for human rights defenders and unmatched bipartisan access on Capitol Hill and in capitals worldwide. Its work has helped expose authoritarian abuses, defend the free press, and give voice to political prisoners who cannot safely speak for themselves.

With new CEO leadership, a bold FY27 strategy, and its landmark 85th Anniversary campaign underway, Freedom House is entering its most consequential period of growth in decades - and is seeking an Senior Director of Development (SDOD) to help build the philanthropic engine capable of matching this moment.

85

YEARS OF IMPACT

$85M

85TH ANNIVERSARY CAMPAIGN

$12.1M

ANNUAL FUNDRAISING GOAL

Reporting to Chief Advancement Officer Meto Koloski and partnering closely with CEO Jamie Fly, the Senior Director will lead day- to-day execution across major, and principal gifts, institutional funding, and corporate and government partnerships - managing a two-to three-person team and personally cultivating a portfolio of principal and major gift prospects from $25,000 to $1 million and above.

ABOUT FREEDOM HOUSE AND ITS LEADERSHIP

Mission

Founded in 1941 on the conviction that freedom flourishes where governments are accountable to their people, Freedom House is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that identifies threats to freedom, mobilizes decision-makers to confront them, and supports the activists and organizations defending and expanding freedom worldwide. Its core values - belonging, collaboration, excellence, integrity, and respect - guide an organization dedicated to ensuring the United States remains both a democratic model at home and a consistent champion of freedom abroad.

Leadership: Jamie Fly, Chief Executive Officer

Freedom House named Jamie Fly as its Chief Executive Officer effective February 2, 2026. A widely respected leader in democracy support, media freedom, technology, and national security, Fly joined Freedom House as it marks its 85th anniversary and pivots toward a diversified private- and public-sector funding model. He brings decades of experience across government, civil society, and the private sector - including service as President and CEO of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, senior roles on the U.S. National Security Council staff, at the Department of Defense, and on Capitol Hill, and most recently as Senior Counselor at Palantir Technologies, where he supported efforts to defend Ukrainian democracy. He is a recipient of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service and the Czech Foreign Ministry's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to Diplomacy.

Read the full announcement of Jamie Fly's appointment: freedomhouse.org

Strategy: Positioned to Lead

As U.S. government funding that long masked structural challenges across the democracy-support field recedes, donors are shifting toward field-based implementation and partners with a clear point of view. Freedom House is uniquely positioned to lead this moment - drawing on eight decades of institutional credibility, genuinely bipartisan standing, and a research base no peer organization can match. Its strategy rests on three pillars:
• Research - the flagship Freedom in the World and Freedom on the Net reports remain the backbone of Freedom House's institutional authority.
• Frontline Assistance - direct support to human rights defenders and political prisoners, including the Free Them All: The Fred Hiatt Program to Free Political Prisoners.
• Policy & Advocacy - bipartisan Congressional engagement and international policymaker access in the areas of deepest programmatic and research credibility.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Freedom House is led by CEO Jamie Fly, supported by President Gerardo Berthin and Chief of Staff Masha Donnelly. The Chief Advancement Officer, Meto Koloski (Development), and Chief Financial Officer Jin Kim (Finance & Operations) report to the CEO - working alongside senior directors leading Research and Analysis, the Fred Hiatt Program to Free Political Prisoners, Policy and Advocacy, Public Relations, and International Programs across Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe and Eurasia, and Asia.

This structure gives the Senior Director of Development direct visibility into - and partnership across - every part of the organization's mission.
THE 85TH ANNIVERSARY CAMPAIGN: INVESTING IN FREEDOM'S FUTURE

On May 20, 2026, Freedom House marked its 85th anniversary at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC, launching Investing in Freedom's Future - a campaign to raise $85 million over five years to sustain its research, expand support for human rights defenders, and confront authoritarian abuses worldwide.

The evening's marquee honoree, imprisoned Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai, embodied the stakes of this work: journalists and dissidents worldwide continue to pay the ultimate price for demanding freedom, and Freedom House's Free Them All program exists to fight for their release. Five additional honorees - including the nation of Finland, Cuba Decide founder Rosa María Payá Acevedo, and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press - reflected the breadth of a growing philanthropic coalition this role will help deepen and diversify.

Learn more: freedomhouse.org - 2026 Annual Awards & 85th Anniversary
POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Summary

Freedom House is seeking a strategic, results-driven Senior Director of Development to serve as the day-to-day operational lead of its Development function during a period of significant growth. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Senior Director will drive execution across major gifts, institutional funding, foundations, individual giving, corporate partnerships, and government funding - building the systems, discipline, and pipeline needed for Freedom House to reach and exceed $12- 15 million of private support annually, including $6 million in unrestricted funds.

The role frees the CAO to focus on principal gifts, Board engagement, and the 85th Anniversary Campaign, while partnering closely with the CAO and Chief of Staff to support CEO- and President-level donor engagement. This is a pivotal role in translating Freedom House's renewed momentum into sustained revenue, expanded partnerships, and long-term impact.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

Fundraising Operations & Pipeline Management

• Lead day-to-day execution of the Development function across public, private, foundation, individual, corporate, and government revenue streams.
• Build, manage, and monitor a robust donor pipeline - prospect tracking, moves management, and forecasting - with clear systems for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Serve as a senior operational lead and backup to the CAO as needed, with specific ownership of assigned revenue streams.

Revenue Strategy & Portfolio Management

• Personally manage and grow a portfolio of major donors and institutional prospects, including high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and foundations.
• Support the cultivation and solicitation of six- and seven-figure gifts alongside the CAO and senior leadership.
• Partner with program, policy, and communications teams to align fundraising with organizational priorities.

Leadership, Board & Donor Engagement

• Partner with the CAO and Chief of Staff to support the CEO and President in donor meetings, briefings, and follow-up, including materials and talking points.
• Support the CEO, President, CAO, Chief of Staff, and senior leadership in Board engagement and fundraising activities.
• Ensure consistent tracking and advancement of key donor relationships and leadership travel and engagement.

Campaigns, Data & Analytics

• Support the Annual Awards and other donor-facing events, and contribute to execution of the 85th Anniversary Campaign, Investing in Freedom's Future.
• Partner with development operations to strengthen reporting, analytics, and forecasting, and oversee proactive prospect research.
• Use data tools - including Salesforce and emerging AI applications - to inform strategy and optimize fundraising performance.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience & Education

• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit fundraising, advancement, business development, or a related field, including managing a staff and a multi-million dollar revenue portfolio.
• Demonstrated success securing one-time and multi-year six- and seven-figure gifts and grants, including with high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutional funders.
• Proven track record managing fundraising operations, donor pipeline, moves management, and forecasting systems, and contributing to revenue growth.
• Experience coordinating across individual, institutional, corporate, foundation, and government revenue streams.
• Experience fundraising in human rights, democracy, or technology-focused organizations, and supporting senior leadership and Board engagement.
• Experience supporting or managing multi-year fundraising campaigns; CRM experience (e.g., Salesforce) and development analytics.
• Bachelor's degree in fundraising management, marketing, business, nonprofit leadership, or a related field; graduate degree and CFRE certification a plus.

Skills & Attributes

• Excellent written and oral communication skills; a nimble, versatile operator who can set and drive projects to conclusion under deadline pressure.
• Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills, with the highest degree of confidentiality, integrity, and professionalism.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Deeply committed to nonpartisanship and to the mission of Freedom House.
• Committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where all feel that they belong.
• An effective team member who balances individual ownership with collaborative, cross-functional work.

Working Conditions

General office environment with a hybrid telework schedule; may require long hours, including evenings and weekends, and travel as needed. Candidates must possess authorization to work in the United States independent from Freedom House sponsorship
BENEFITS & CULTURE

Benefits

• Multiple medical, dental, and vision plans available on the first date of hire; 403(b) Retirement Plan with up to a 10% employer match.
• Generous, tenure-based paid time off (17-25 days), 10 days sick leave with unlimited roll-over, and 14 paid holidays.
• Caregiver leave (40 days paid), bereavement leave (5 days paid), and paid jury duty.
• A flexible, hybrid work culture with slow-down weeks and "no meeting Fridays."
• Mental health and well-being support through the Employee Assistance Program, flexible spending accounts, and short- and long-term disability and life insurance.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Freedom House's core values - belonging, collaboration, excellence, integrity, and respect - call on every member of the team to treat one another with dignity while appreciating each person's unique contributions. Freedom House is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices; all qualified applicants receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other non-merit factors.
FREEDOM HOUSE IN THE NEWS

Freedom House's 85th year has generated sustained visibility across major media, policy, and philanthropic circles. A sample of recent coverage and announcements:

• Press Release | September 10, 2026 - Freedom House Launches Ambassadors for Freedom Program, Names Five Leading Human Rights Defenders as Inaugural Advocates
• Press Release | September 1, 2026 - Freedom House and the R.T. Weatherman Foundation Announce Partnership to Advocate for the Release of Hong Kong Political Prisoner Joshua Wong
• Press Release | May 21, 2026 - Freedom House Honors 2026 Award Recipients; Launches 85th Anniversary Campaign
• Press Release | February 2, 2026 - Freedom House Appoints Jamie Fly as Chief Executive Officer
• CEO Update | August 6, 2026- Update from Freedom House CEO Jamie Fly: Two Political Prisoners Released, More Successes in the Fight for Global Freedom
• Media Mention - The Washington Post | April 16, 2026- Dictators Increasingly Team Up to Hunt Dissenters Abroad
• LinkedIn | September 2026- Jamie Fly on LinkedIn: joining Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs for a public conversation on the moral case for democracy
• Event | May 20, 2026- Freedom House 2026 Annual Awards & 85th Anniversary Celebration

LOCATION: WASHINGTON, DC

Freedom House's headquarters sits in the heart of Washington, DC - one city, one address, and an unmatched line of sight into the decisions that shape global freedom. The Senior Director of Development will work steps from Capitol Hill, the diplomatic corps, and the foundations and philanthropic institutions that power this mission, in a region built for exactly this kind of work.

The Washington, DC metro area is the sixth-largest in the country, home to more than 6.2 million people across a fast-growing, remarkably diverse economy anchored by federal government, international diplomacy, technology, and one of the largest concentrations of nonprofit and mission-driven organizations anywhere in the world. Beyond government and the Hill, the region's strength runs through law, international finance, biotechnology (with the National Institutes of Health nearby), and a rising technology sector - giving the Senior Director direct access to a deep and varied donor and partner ecosystem.

It's also one of the country's most livable cities. World-class culture is a daily backdrop - the Smithsonian's museums and National Gallery of Art, the National Zoo, and Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts - alongside leading research universities including Georgetown, George Washington, American, the University of Maryland, and Johns Hopkins. The region consistently ranks among the most walkable and best-educated in the nation, with the Metrocenter's rail and bus network offering an easy car- free commute and nearby communities across Maryland and Northern Virginia providing excellent schools, more space, and a family-friendly pace of life without sacrificing access to the city's energy.


In short: this is a rare convergence of purpose and place - a role at the center of the fight for global democracy, based in the city built to support it.
WE INVITE YOU TO APPLY

Freedom House stands at a defining moment - new leadership, a historic 85th Anniversary, and a bipartisan mandate few organizations in this field can claim, at a time when the fight to secure democracy and free political prisoners has never mattered more. DHR Global is honored to lead this search and is excited to invite qualified, mission-driven fundraising leaders to help build the next chapter of the world's leading advocate for freedom and democracy.

We welcome candidates who bring a fluency in international affairs, the operational discipline, and the relationship-building instincts to turn a moment of momentum into a durable, diversified base of support for the defense of freedom worldwide.
How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter outlining their interest and qualifications to:
Diane Charness

Global Managing Director, Nonprofit and Social Impact DHR Global

View email address on click.appcast.io
Jake Lim

Associate, DHR Global


View email address on click.appcast.io

We welcome your questions and application.

Requisition Number: 1582