The (Senior) Director of Philanthropic Partnerships is a senior frontline fundraiser whose primary mandate is to build IPA’s philanthropic pipeline and close major gifts. The role personally manages a portfolio that spans major gift relationships in the $25,000+ range and principal gift prospects with the capacity to make six- and seven-figure commitments for unrestricted and core institutional funding priorities. The role carries explicit responsibility for opening new philanthropic markets and identifying, qualifying, and cultivating new prospects to grow IPA’s long-term revenue base. This role is also central to IPA's multi-year campaign, Building Evidence-to-Impact Ecosystems, which will fund the organization's next phase of growth, including Embedded Evidence Labs and IPA's broader strategic priorities through 2030.
This is both a builder and closer role. The successful candidate will bring an established track record of personally closing gifts in the six- and seven-figure range and will apply that experience both to grow IPA’s major gift revenue and to personally close major gifts. New market focus areas include artificial intelligence (including AI company founders, executives, and aligned foundations), family offices, finance and hedge fund philanthropy networks, effective giving and evidence-aligned communities, and the major donor philanthropic market in the United Kingdom.
The role works closely with the Chief Partnerships and Philanthropy Officer (CPPO) to advance and close high-value gifts in the personal portfolio. The CPPO is the primary interface with the Executive Director on principal gift strategy and serves as the partner-closer on the most strategic relationships. The (Senior) Director plays a lead role in the execution of IPA's capital campaign, partnering with the CPPO on campaign strategy, donor identification and qualification, and the cultivation and solicitation of campaign-level gifts. The (Senior) Director leads, develops, and holds accountable two direct reports: a manager responsible for philanthropy operations and a manager responsible for the mid-level and planned giving program. Together this team executes IPA's mid-level fundraising, planned giving, and philanthropy operations functions, while the (Senior) Director carries personal accountability for major and principal gift fundraising.
Frontline major and principal gift fundraising (approximately 50%)
Prospect and market building (approximately 25%)
Team leadership and program oversight (approximately 15%)
Senior leadership and external positioning (approximately 10%)
The duty station for this position is New York, NY; Washington, DC; San Francisco, CA; or London, UK. The work arrangement is hybrid, with regular in-office collaboration required. Travel of approximately 20 percent is expected, including some weekends and evenings as needed.
Chief Partnerships and Philanthropy Officer
The salary range for this position is $125,000–$165,000 annually for candidates based in the United Sates. Placement within this range reflects the level at which the successful candidate is hired (Director or Senior Director) as well as their location. IPA also offers a competitive benefits package including health insurance, retirement contributions, generous paid time off, and professional development support.
To apply, submit a resume and cover letter describing your fundraising track record — particularly your experience closing six- and seven-figure gifts and opening new philanthropic markets — and what draws you to IPA's mission. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and the position will remain open until filled.
Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a research and policy nonprofit that discovers and advances what works to improve the lives of people living in poverty. IPA brings together researchers and decision-makers to design, rigorously evaluate, and refine these solutions and their applications, ensuring that the evidence created is used to improve the lives of people living in poverty. In recent decades, trillions of dollars have been spent on programs designed to reduce global poverty, but clear evidence of which programs succeed is rare, and when evidence does exist, decision-makers often do not know about it. IPA exists to bring together leading researchers and these decision-makers to ensure that the evidence we create leads to a tangible impact on the world. Since its founding in 2002, IPA has worked with over 600 leading academics to conduct over 1,000 evaluations in 52 countries. This research has informed hundreds of successful programs that now impact millions of individuals worldwide.
At Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), we are committed to creating a safe and respectful environment for all individuals, particularly children and vulnerable adults. As IPA adheres to strict safeguarding principles, selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards. By joining IPA, you become part of a team dedicated to ethical conduct, social responsibility, and meaningful impact in the fight against global poverty. Together, we work to create a better world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive with dignity and respect.
Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a research and policy non-profit that discovers and promotes effective solutions to global poverty problems. IPA brings together researchers and decision-makers to design, rigorously evaluate, and refine these solutions and their applications, ensuring that the evidence created is used to improve the lives of the world’s poor.
