Director of Development and Communications

Position description

At Central Asia Institute (CAI), we believe in the transformative power of education, especially of girls and women, to break the cycle of poverty and catalyze change in some of the most challenged corners of the globe. For over 25 years we’ve worked hand in hand with local communities to increase access to education, especially for girls, and empower women and youth in remote and mountainous regions of Central and South Asia. 

Our vision is bold: to create a world where every girl has the education and skills to unlock her full potential and the opportunity to contribute to a better, brighter future for herself, her family, and her community. 

We’re looking for an experienced fundraising and communications professional to partner with the Executive Director and Board to help lead strategic fund development and take our mission and vision to the next level. Working either from our office in Bozeman, Montana, or remotely elsewhere in the U.S., the Director of Development and Communications will collaborate with both our small but mighty team in the U.S. and our overseas implementing partners in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan.

Duties

The Opportunity Central Asia Institute is seeking a passionate, strategic, and creative Director of Development and Communications to join our leadership team. This is more than a fundraising and communications role—it’s a chance to shape the future of a mission-driven organization that’s making a real difference in the world. As the lead storyteller and chief fundraiser, you’ll shape and execute strategies to deepen donor engagement, grow and diversify our revenue, attract new audiences, and strengthen our brand, building powerful connections between our work and the community of supporters who make it possible. You’ll inspire action, build trust, and drive growth—all while leading a talented team of fundraising and communications professionals united by a shared belief in education as a human right. 

What You’ll Do 

• Lead the design and execution of a multi-channeled fundraising strategy that expands Central Asia Institute’s impact and sustainability by deepening engagement among our donors and attracts new audiences. 

• With the Executive Director, cultivate meaningful relationships with major donors, foundations, and institutional partners to deepen their engagement and commitment to our mission. 

• Craft and oversee compelling messaging and campaigns that elevate our brand and tell our story with heart, integrity, and purpose. 

• Manage a dynamic team, fostering collaboration, creativity, and growth in a fully remote, globally minded workplace. 

• Harness technology and data to drive results, optimize systems, and support donor engagement and retention. 

• Collaborate with leadership to align development and communications with CAI’s program objectives and the organization’s long-term vision and strategic goals.

Qualifications

Who You Are

You’re a strategic thinker, a collaborator and connector, and a storyteller. You lead with empathy and act with purpose. You see opportunity and potential in every challenge. And most of all, you believe deeply in the power of education and empowerment, especially of girls and women, to change lives. 

Required Qualifications 

• 10+ years of experience in nonprofit development and communications, with 3+ years in a leadership role. 

• A proven track record of securing significant gifts and grants from diverse sources including individual donors, private foundations, and corporations. 

• Exceptional writing and storytelling skills that move people to act. 

• Deep alignment with CAI’s mission and a commitment to ethical, community-centered storytelling. 

• Demonstrated success in leading and inspiring a culturally diverse, remote team. 

• Experience with CRM systems (Donor Perfect preferred), digital fundraising platforms, and campaign analytics. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Background in nonprofit marketing, branding, and audience engagement. 

• Experience in and passion for girls’ education, gender equality, and economic empowerment programs, ideally at an international level. 

• Experience working or traveling to the Central and South Asia Regions.

Application instructions

Please be sure to indicate you saw this position on geopolist.com