Director, Center for Corporate Diplomacy

Paylocity; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Meridian in Washington, DC is seeking a Director, Center for Corporate Diplomacy to lead growth of private-sector engagement, steward donors, and expand partnerships across government and international affairs. This role works with the VP to strengthen the Corporate Council, design convenings, and advance strategic fundraising across the Center.

Undergraduate degree and 7–10 years in nonprofit development or corporate engagement are required, with partial remote work flexibility in a hybrid

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree required.
• 7–10 years in nonprofit development or corporate engagement.
• Experience managing donor relationships and revenue growth preferred.
• Experience coordinating external-facing programs preferred.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and close corporate donor prospects.
• Manage a defined portfolio of corporate donors with annual goals.
• Develop tailored donor approaches with leadership.
• Draft proposals, concept notes, and partner materials.
• Support fundraising for flagship programs like Meridian Summit and Diplomacy Forum.
• Lead thematic tracks and coordinate cross-team programming.

Skills

Corporate fundraising

Donor relations

Strategic planning

Partnership development

Education

Undergraduate degree

Tools

Salesforce

Canva

Zoom

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

Title:

Director, Center for Corporate Diplomacy

Employment Status:

Exempt

Salary:

$90,000-$120,000, Annual

Supervisor Title:

Vice President, Center for Corporate Diplomacy

Date Revised:

September 2026

Summary of Position

The Director, Center for Corporate Diplomacy supports the growth, stewardship, and implementation of Meridian’s private-sector engagement strategy through a balanced portfolio of corporate fundraising, partner relationship management, and high-quality program development. The Director works closely with the Vice President, Corporate Diplomacy to strengthen Meridian’s Corporate Council, expand corporate revenue opportunities, and design timely convenings that connect private-sector leaders with U.S. government, diplomatic, and international affairs stakeholders.

This role manages a defined portfolio of corporate donors and prospects, supports special event fundraising, leads program and thought leadership development, and helps ensure that corporate partners experience clear value from their engagement with Meridian. The Director also provides day-to-day guidance to members of the Corporate Diplomacy team, strengthening systems and supporting high-quality execution across the Center’s fundraising, programming, and administrative functions.

This position is located in Washington, D.C., and Meridian requires MD, DC, or VA residence for all employees. The position may work partially remotely until further notice.

Requirements

Position Responsibilities:

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and close corporate donor prospects at the $50,000 level and above to build a robust pipeline for Meridian’s corporate engagement program, including but not limited to Corporate Council membership.
• Manage and steward a defined portfolio of corporate donors and prospects with specific annual goals and objectives, maintaining regular engagement through in-person meetings, calls, emails, and internal strategy sessions.
• Work with Corporate Diplomacy leadership and Meridian senior leadership to develop tailored approaches for donor cultivation, renewals, upgrades, and new business opportunities.
• Draft and support proposals, concept notes, correspondence, acknowledgments, briefing materials, and other partner-facing materials for prospective and existing corporate partners.
• Support fundraising efforts for Meridian’s flagship programs, including the Meridian Summit, Meridian Ball, Diplomacy Forum, Culturefix, and other cross-departmental engagements.
• Provide leadership for at least two Center for Corporate Diplomacy thematic tracks, including developing program concepts, identifying relevant topics, and aligning partner interests with timely global issues.
• Contribute to the design and execution of corporate diplomacy programs, including briefings, salon dinners, receptions, trainings, and other convenings for private sector, diplomatic, government, and international affairs audiences.
• Collaborate across Meridian departments to align corporate members’ interests with relevant and timely programming, Open Diplomacy Center priorities, and institutional fundraising opportunities.
• Forge and maintain strategic relationships with key private-sector stakeholders, thought leaders, foundations, and government and diplomatic contacts to strengthen Meridian’s position as a leading partner in corporate diplomacy.
• Support the development of thought leadership opportunities for the Center, including program themes, speaking opportunities, written materials, and strategic content.
• Mentor and develop members of the Corporate Diplomacy team, fostering skill growth, role clarity, and leadership capabilities.
• Supervise and provide strategic guidance to assigned team members, ensuring clarity on roles, responsibilities, goals, and expectations while supporting professional development and a positive work environment.
• Help strengthen systems and workflows that support effective donor stewardship, program planning, proposal development, and cross-team coordination.
• Coordinate with Communications, Events, Finance, Development Operations, and other internal teams to ensure corporate partners and prospects receive appropriate invitations, follow-up, reporting, and stewardship.
• Complete all organizational administrative responsibilities in a timely manner and meet all organizational administrative deadlines.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience:

• Undergraduate degree required.
• 7-10 years of related experience in nonprofit development, corporate engagement, fundraising, international affairs, public-private partnership development, event or program management, or a related field.
• Experience managing donor or partner relationships and contributing to revenue growth preferred.
• Experience supporting or managing external-facing programs, convenings, briefings, or stakeholder events preferred.
• Or any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Experience working in a fast paced, results driven environment.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Deep understanding of complex international business issues, trade policies, and geopolitics.
• Strong network of relationships within the corporate, government, and international affairs communities.
• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to deliver persuasive presentations to high-level audiences.
• Strategic thinking and planning skills with the ability to articulate and implement long-term goals.
• Ability to build trust and influence stakeholders in a collaborative, team-based environment.
• Strong inter-cultural communication skills; maturity, cultural sensitivity, and tact suitable for working with individuals from around the world

Technical Requirements:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams is necessary for this role
• Experience with Canva, Zoom and Salesforce is helpful

Employer’s Statement

Meridian is committed to empowering global leaders and amplifying voices from a wide variety of backgrounds to create pathways for greater understanding, shared values, and respect. Connecting people has been our foundation for more than 65 years. If you share our values and enthusiasm for promoting non-partisan collaboration to address global challenges and opportunities, you can find a home at Meridian.

As an equal opportunity employer, Meridian is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, personal appearance, family responsibilities, marital status, matriculation, political affiliation, veteran or military status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, District of Columbia, or local law. This commitment applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination.

Meridian provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities and to individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs and practices, and for pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, as required by applicable law. Applicants who require an accommodation during the application or interview process are encouraged to contact Human Resources.

Meridian offers a comprehensive benefits package, which may include medical, dental, retirement, life and disability insurance, voluntary benefits, paid leave, and paid holidays. Eligibility and coverage are subject to the applicable plan documents and Meridian policies.