Managing Director

Sunflower Services; California; On-site; USD 166,000 - 196,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Parental leave

Flexible spending account

Job summary

Sunflower Services seeks a bold Managing Director of Business Development to shape the growth of a newly formed ecosystem providing fiscal sponsorship to social impact initiatives. The role blends deep nonprofit sector fluency with an entrepreneurial mindset and a proven track record of high‑value partnerships.

Based in northern California, the leader will influence strategy, develop people, and act as a credible, inspiring voice for Sunflower and its funds, including Hopewell, Windward, New

Qualifications

• 10+ years in business development or partnerships within or adjacent to the social sector.
• Experience with fiscal sponsorship and philanthropic capital flows.
• Proven ability to close complex multi-stakeholder deals.

Responsibilities

• Shape and execute Sunflower’s multi-year growth strategy with partners and owners.
• Build and manage a strong pipeline across the ecosystem, guiding revenue targets.
• Advise funders and project leaders on fiscal sponsorship opportunities.
• Represent Sunflower at conferences and publish thought leadership content.
• Monitor market trends to identify new service opportunities and partnerships.
• Develop channel relationships to expand Sunflower’s reach and reputation.

Skills

Strategic Partnerships

Business Development

Portfolio Management

Fundraising

Client Advisory

Public Benefit Sector

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree

Job description

Job Title: Managing Director

Department: Growth and Development

Location: Remote in the San Francisco Bay Area

Who We Are

Today’s societal challenges are more complex, interconnected, and urgent than ever. Sunflower Services is comprised of over 240 professionals with deep expertise in the philanthropic sector. We provide support services to fiscal sponsors and intermediaries—and their hundreds of mission-driven projects—that are creating meaningful change. We welcome jobseekers who are motivated by results and driven by impact. For a list of current job openings at Sunflower, please visit our LinkedIn page.

Sunflower Services is an independent, nonprofit‑owned Public Benefit Corporation dedicated to providing operational excellence to nonprofit and social impact organizations. Sunflower delivers integrated solutions in finance, HR, grants management, compliance, and other administrative areas, helping mission‑driven organizations and changemakers focus on what matters most: their impact.

Position Overview

Sunflower Services is seeking a bold, relationship‑driven Managing Director of Business Development to help shape the next chapter of the growth of a newly formed ecosystem providing fiscal sponsorship to changemakers tackling today's thorniest problems.

We are a private benefit corporation, wholly owned by three 501c3 public charities: New Venture Fund, Windward Fund, and Hopewell Fund. This is a senior leadership role for someone who combines deep fluency in the social sector with an entrepreneurial mindset and a track record of building high‑value, trust‑based partnerships.

The ideal candidate brings firsthand knowledge of the fiscal sponsorship landscape and understands how philanthropic capital flows, how changemakers and their funders make structural decisions, and how to position this ecosystem, powered by Sunflower’s unparalleled services, as the partner of choice for organizations operating at the frontier of social change. Based in northern California, this leader will influence strategy, develop people, and serve as a credible and inspiring voice in the field.

This role reports to Sunflower’s Chief Relationship Officer and works closely with senior leaders across Sunflower and its affiliated funds, including Hopewell Fund, Windward Fund, New Venture Fund, and Sixteen Thirty Fund.

What You’ll Do

Business Development (60%)

• Shape and advance Sunflowers multi‑year growth strategy, in conjunction with our partners/owners, identifying and closing opportunities aligned with emerging trends in philanthropy and fiscal sponsorship
• Build and manage a pipeline of business aligned with the ecosystem partners’ areas of focus and a set of strong values, resulting in meeting individual and teamwide revenue and impact targets through the full sales cycle—providing leadership from lead generation through close
• Serve as a strategic advisor to prospective funders and project leaders, helping them understand how fiscal sponsorship can unlock new possibilities for their work
• Represent Sunflower and its partners/owners as a thought leader at conferences, in publications, and in high‑value sector forums; author content that positions the ecosystem at the forefront of the field
• Monitor market trends and philanthropic shifts to inform business development strategy and identify new service opportunities
• Cultivate channel partner and referral relationships that expand Sunflower’s reach and reputation

Relationship Stewardship and Client Stewardship (30%)

• Develop and sustain strong, long‑term relationships across the 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 ecosystem, and with a defined portfolio of funders and strategic partners
• Partner closely with the Presidents and senior leadership of multiple and separate nonprofit entities and partners to align priorities, share market intelligence, and identify collaborative opportunities
• Bring a sophisticated understanding of the ecosystem’s full‑service offerings to every client interaction—diagnosing needs, designing solutions, leading fee negotiations, and defining scope
• Collaborate with service teams to ensure excellent client experience that drives retention and referrals
• Proactively deepen existing relationships by anticipating evolving needs and introducing creative and relevant capabilities

Leadership (10%)

• Serve as a senior contributor to strategy, bringing market perspective, sector intelligence, and partner insight to leadership discussions about the ecosystem’s – and specifically, Sunflower’s direction and priorities
• Represent Sunflower and its partners as a credible and inspiring spokesperson for fiscal sponsorship – enhancing the ecosystem’s reputation and relationships across the social sector.
• Provide leadership to internal teams to contribute to organizational learning and sustainability

What You’ll Bring

• 10+ years of progressive experience in business development, strategic partnerships, or client advisory roles within or adjacent to the social sector,
• Experience with fiscal sponsorship - how it works, who the key players are, and how organizations and campaigns use it as a strategic tool
• A track record of building and closing complex, multi‑stakeholder relationships, ideally in a professional services or consulting context
• Subject matter expertise in one or more of the areas of focus for our nonprofit partner/owners preferred: Climate/environment, reproductive freedom, democracy/advocacy, gender equality, etc.
• Experience managing, influencing, and developing teams in a highly matrixed environment.
• Experience working with or alongside 501(c)(3) and/or 501(c)(4) organizations, foundations, or philanthropic intermediaries at a senior level
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree a plus
• Demonstrated success in generating new business activity
• Exceptional communication skills—presenting, writing, and negotiating with clarity and influence
• Established presence and credibility in the most innovative parts of the social sector ecosystem, with a broad and active professional network
• A collaborative leadership style, high emotional intelligence, and comfort navigating complex organizational relationships
• Entrepreneurial energy, a bias toward action, and the ability to thrive in ambiguity
• A sense of humor and healthy dose of humility

Compensation And Benefits

The annual salary range for this position is $166,000 - $196,000 plus Incentive Plan.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus a flexible spending account and health savings account, in addition to a 401k with a company match, and commuter benefits.

We give generous paid time off, with 21 days of vacation time, 10 days of personal time, 20 hours of volunteer time, 11 company holidays, and 4 optional holidays.

We support work‑life balance with parental leave, UrbanSitter membership, Employee Resource Groups, and fitness and telecommunications reimbursements.

We value growth and development with options for education reimbursement and professional development.

We also offer disability, life insurance, additional voluntary insurances, and access to Teladoc and Health Advocate.

Location Requirements

This is a full‑time position operating remotely in California with a strong preference for the San Francisco Bay Area.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer

We will make reasonable accommodations under the guidelines of the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Sunflower Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer without regard to race, gender, disability status, veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

The application deadline for this position is September 23, 2026. The deadline to apply may be shortened or extended depending on business needs.

Visit our web page to learn more about Sunflower Services and watch this video.