Executive Director of Global Development

World Bicycle Relief; United States; Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work location

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

A global nonprofit organization is seeking an Executive Director of Global Development to lead fundraising and partnership strategies. This role requires 12+ years of experience in global fundraising, a proven track record securing multi-million partnerships, and exceptional relationship-building skills. The Executive Director will inspire a global team and drive alignment across multiple regions to double the annual fundraising goal. The position can be remote or hybrid in the United States.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of leadership experience in global fundraising or social enterprise.
• Proven success in securing multi-million-dollar partnerships.
• Strong record of collaboration with international affiliates.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement global development strategy and fundraising culture.
• Inspire and lead a high-performing global team.
• Cultivate relationships with major donors and corporate partners.

Skills

Leadership experience

Global fundraising

Relationship-building

Collaboration

Job description

Executive Director of Global Development

Join to apply for the Executive Director of Global Development role at World Bicycle Relief

World Bicycle Relief mobilizes communities in rural regions around the world to thrive with life‑changing bicycles. We partner with communities to expand access to education, markets, healthcare and other essential services. With our purpose‑designed Buffalo Bicycles, individuals in low‑income regions unlock pathways to new opportunities for themselves, their families and entire communities.

We manage a highly refined bicycle supply chain from design through final distribution. Through our 501(c)(3) we provide transport solutions to those who cannot afford them, while Buffalo Bicycle Ltd sells the rugged Buffalo Bicycle and spare parts and offers repair and maintenance services via a retail network of shops and local mechanics. We have distributed over 950,000 fit‑for‑purpose bicycles and trained 4,000+ community‑based mechanics. Girls with Buffalo Bicycles are 19% less likely to drop out of school; business owners see 53% more revenue; and health workers serve 63% more households.

Purpose of the Position

The Executive Director of Global Development will lead World Bicycle Relief’s global fundraising and funding partnership strategy—mobilizing the resources, relationships, and influence to power WBR’s next era of growth. This senior leadership role will build and inspire a distributed global team, cultivate transformational partnerships, and engage visionary funders to accelerate WBR’s mission. Reporting to the CEO and serving on the Executive Team, they will drive strategic alignment across philanthropy, corporate engagement, and WBR’s Affiliate Development Countries to ensure long‑term financial sustainability and global impact.

This role oversees an annual revenue portfolio currently exceeding $20 million across North America, Europe, and Australia and guides a high‑performing global fundraising team and affiliate network. The ambition is to scale this portfolio to more than $40 million in the next five years.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive global development strategy and a fundraising culture aligned with organizational goals to drive impact across WBR’s Grow / Partner / Influence strategic framework.
• Inspire and lead a high‑performing global team by strengthening collaboration, accountability, and innovation across regions and departments.
• Develop and report on the global Development budget & OKRs and serve as the Development expert when setting global organizational goals.
• Provide strategic leadership across WBR’s Affiliate Development Countries (UK, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, and Australia) to ensure coordinated fundraising, accountability, and shared learning, while cultivating and stewarding major donors, corporate partners, and foundations to secure long‑term, mission‑aligned support.
• Cultivate and steward major donors, family foundations, and institutional partners, building long‑term, trust‑based relationships that fuel impact.
• Expand corporate and shared‑value partnerships, aligning brands with WBR’s mission and measurable social outcomes.
• Collaborate closely with the Marketing and Communications team to strengthen global brand presence and donor messaging.
• Collaborate with the Partnerships and Business Development department on the proposal development process to secure funds from key audiences.
• Lead the Development Operations team to implement innovative technologies, data analytics, CRM systems, and digital engagement tools that strengthen fundraising performance, elevate donor experiences, and improve the accuracy of revenue forecasting.
• Collaborate with the CEO, Board, and global ambassadors to engage influential networks and champion WBR’s vision worldwide; engage Board members in donor mapping and stewardship.
• Champion WBR’s values—Relentless Learning, Accountable Empowerment, People‑Driven Collaboration, Integrity, and Dynamic Partnership—through every aspect of development and partnership.

Requirements

• 12+ years of leadership experience in global fundraising, partnerships, or business development within international development, philanthropy, or social enterprise, with a history of guiding teams to deliver $40M+ in annual philanthropic revenue.
• Proven success in securing multi‐million‑dollar philanthropic and corporate partnerships.
• Strong record of collaboration with international affiliates.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate digital innovation, data‑driven decision‑making, and technology‑enabled fundraising strategies.
• Exceptional relationship‑building, communication, and storytelling skills with cross‑cultural fluency.
• Demonstrated success leading diverse, distributed teams and aligning global and local strategies.
• Strategic, entrepreneurial thinker with a bias for collaboration, learning, and action.
• Deep commitment to WBR’s mission, values, and the transformative power of mobility.

Work Location

Remote or Hybrid in the following US states: Work Location Remote or Hybrid.

WBR is a registered not‑for‑profit in the USA (501c3), Canada, UK, Germany, Switzerland, and Australia. We have supported programs in 20 countries, and have country offices, staff, and assembly facilities in Colombia, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

WBR is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer.