Vice President of Development

Position description

Drive GFI’s global strategy to secure lasting, high-impact philanthropic support for food system transformation

The Good Food Institute (GFI) is a nonprofit think tank working to make the global food system better for the planet, people, and animals. Alongside scientists, businesses, and policymakers, GFI’s teams focus on making plant-based, fermentation-enabled, and cultivated meat delicious, affordable, and accessible. Powered by philanthropy, GFI is an international network of organizations advancing alternative proteins as an essential solution needed to meet the world’s climate, global health, food security, and biodiversity goals.

How you will make a difference

In this position, you will have the opportunity to help drive GFI’s global development strategy, balancing ambitious fundraising targets with thoughtful donor stewardship. You will serve as a collaborative leader across GFI’s U.S. and global teams to advance a unified fundraising approach that supports GFI’s long-term success.

The Vice President of Development will be responsible for:

• Developing the strategic plan and key initiatives for building and maintaining a growing, diversified, and sustainable development program to power a $40-50+ million annual global network.
• Overseeing the Development team across three sub teams: philanthropy (major and principal gifts), donor services (including annual fund and mid-tier giving), and institutional giving (grant-making foundations). This includes setting priorities for the expansion of planned giving and other capabilities critical to supporting GFI’s growth.
• Setting department strategy, vision, and culture; directly managing the Senior Global Director of Development, Director of U.S. Philanthropy, Senior Executive Assistant (Development), Associate Vice President of Development, and Senior Director of Foundation Relations; fostering mentorship and professional development opportunities within the department; and, ensuring excellent execution of signature deliverables such as the Year in Review, donor reports, and proposals.
• Partnering with the Founder and President, CEO, and global affiliate leaders to cultivate and steward transformational gifts. Navigating and leading on high-stakes donor relationships and feedback with discretion, providing strategic guidance to GFI’s senior leadership on how to respond to shifting donor priorities.
• Overseeing implementation of a collaborative operating model for global affiliate fundraising that fosters trust-based engagement with development counterparts at GFI’s affiliates, providing thought partnership and support on regional fundraising efforts that align with GFI’s global development framework.
• Fostering an inclusive and people-centered culture, ensuring team members feel empowered, heard, and supported.
• Being an engaged and active member of the GFI U.S. Leadership Team and the Global Leadership Team, contributing to organizational planning, cross-functional collaboration, and culture building.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Who we’re looking for

An ideal candidate for the Vice President of Development position will have experience that reflects the following:

• A minimum of 10 years of previous development leadership experience, including at least five years in a top fundraising position, with a successful track record in securing major gifts, managing a team, and setting philanthropic strategy.
• Demonstrated success in overseeing and advancing a multifaceted development program, with a proven ability to work independently and effectively under the pressure of constant deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and maintain strong relationships with a diverse range of donors and stakeholders, inspiring new supporters to invest in our mission and deepening engagement with existing funders.
• Experience leading and motivating a team, preferably in a remote-work environment, with a strong preference for experience collaborating with fundraising colleagues based in multiple countries toward shared global goals.
• A leadership style marked by a focus on resilience, optimism grounded in reality, and strong written and verbal communication that inspires without overlooking complexity.
• A coaching-oriented management approach that empowers teams and offers guidance and clarity.
• A commitment to fostering a work environment that is respectful, supportive, fair, and welcoming to all.
• Strong support for GFI’s philosophy and mission; demonstrated interest in plant-based & other alternative proteins, public health, environmentalism, climate change, animal protection, or hunger relief.
• A commitment to GFI’s values: believe change is possible, do the most good we can, share knowledge freely, act on evidence, and invite everyone to the table.

GFI wants the best people and is committed to a fair hiring process. We use a third-party anonymizing tool to redact personal information from submitted applications — including name, location, contact details, and several other factors — to increase fairness in our process. We also prioritize an inclusive work environment absent of discrimination and harassment during the Application process and after you join the team. People of every race, color, orientation, age, gender, origin, and ability are encouraged to apply.

If you are passionate about GFI’s mission, think you have what it takes to be successful in this position, and meet many of the job requirements even if you don’t check all the boxes, please apply. We’d appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The fine print

• Terms of employment: Full-time, exempt
• Reports to: Jessica Almy, Interim CEO
• Direct reports: Clare Bland, Senior Global Director of Development; Leah MacRaild, Director of U.S. Philanthropy; Lena Hamelin, Senior Executive Assistant, Development; Rachel Colombana, Associate Vice President of Development; Sally Chapman, Senior Director of Foundation Relations.
• Location: Remote; United States
• Travel: Approximately 3–5 trips per year, including attendance at organizational retreats (department, Leadership Team, and all-staff retreats) and occasional donor or partner-facing travel. Reasonable accommodations or exemptions from retreat travel considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Benefits: Working from home; paid employee base medical coverage; dental, vision, and other medical insurance options; a 401(k) plan with employer match; 14 paid holidays; personal, sick, and vacation time; paid family/parental and medical leave; lifestyle spending account; opportunity for advancement; and, respectful and collaborative culture. More information here: https://tinyurl.com/GFIBenefits.
• This is a U.S.-based position: In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work for any employer in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. At this time, GFI’s policy is not to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas.
• Salary: $169,247.78-$177,710.25 (depending on experience and qualifications)

Important dates

Application deadline: September 4, 2025

Anticipated start date: October 20, 2025

Application instructions

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