Director of Development Operations

Empower the organization that is making alternative proteins no longer alternative

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 GFIs 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 worlds climate global health food security and biodiversity goals.

How you will make a difference

GFI is 100% supported by this position you will directly impact the transformation of the global food system by leading the Development Operations team to continued success and driving the systems data budgets and projects essential to GFIs fundraising efforts. Working with the Vice President (VP) of Development and the Development Leadership Team the Director of Development Operations will be responsible for:

• Managing a team including directly managing a Senior Prospect Research Manager and a Senior Development Project Manager as well as dotted line management of the Senior Salesforce Analyst Donor Services.
• Overseeing all development operations on the U.S. Development team including the hiring training and professional development of team members reporting processes and SOPs.
• Serving as a core member of the Development Leadership Team jointly responsible for department-wide strategy goal setting and team culture.
• Leading the development and continuous improvement of development operations practices across GFIs U.S. and affiliate teams (currently 28 professionals across four regions) in partnership with GFI Europe counterparts ensuring that where practicable our systems processes and strategies align and are implemented across the team and the organization.
• Shaping team strategy by overseeing the creation evaluation and recalibration of Development team objectives and key results including best practice metrics for frontline fundraisers and ensuring Development team members are meeting metrics.
• In partnership with the VP of Development setting the vision for development-wide stewardship strategies and cross-functional initiatives and ensuring they support organizational goals and resonate with target audiences.
• Leading the projection of data-informed fundraising targets and overseeing development budgets in close collaboration with the Vice President of Development and reporting progress regularly to leadership and the board.
• Partnering with the Finance team in the U.S. and affiliates as needed to ensure accuracy of gift processing and to track restricted gifts.
• Identifying Salesforce needs and opportunities establishing and refining systems (reports dashboards automations and standards) and ensuring team-wide data integrity and consistent use of donor information to enable effective fundraising strategy and insights with support from the Senior Salesforce Analyst the broader Salesforce team and the Development Leadership Team.
• Acting as a strategic partner to our fundraising teams by working with others in Development Leadership to ensure that cultivation solicitation and stewardship strategies are informed and supported by strong data and prospect research outputs.
• Building strong internal relationships to ensure consistent accurate information exchange between the Development team and other GFI departments including six affiliate regions.
• Serving as a thought partner to the VP of Development in campaign planning forecasting and budgeting.
• Driving fundraising growth and organizational impact by fostering a culture of accountability and data-driven decision-making.
• Cultivating a positive and collaborative team environment helping to motivate the Development Operations team and managing team workflow.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Who were looking for

An ideal candidate for the Director of Development Operations position will have experience that reflects the following:

• At least ten years of experience in a development position including at least three years of experience in a development leadership position.
• Experience using tactical fundraising systems; e.g. prospect tracking and scheduling CRM maintenance (Salesforce preferred) etc.
• Experience managing teams with the ability to mentor and inspire team members.
• The ability and confidence to act as a strategic partner to fundraisers and development leadership peers: making recommendations for fundraising strategies and creating and ensuring team members are held accountable to fundraising metrics and best practices.
• Strong data literacy and experience with prospect research business intelligence tools and performance metrics.
• Exceptional organizational skills strategic thinking and the ability to execute high-level initiatives in fast-paced high-stakes environments.
• Strong collaborative problem-solving skills in which you seek to understand and make smart decisions through effective communication and leading by example.
• Exceptionally strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong process optimization skills: mapping workflows spotting gaps or bottlenecks and implementing practical solutions.
• Understanding of nonprofit budgeting accrual revenue recognition and auditing processes.
• A commitment to maintaining the confidentiality integrity and security of donor data with a strong understanding of privacy and data protection best practices and global regulatory requirements.
• A commitment to fostering a work environment that is respectful supportive fair and welcoming to all.
• Comfort working remotely in a collaborative caring and high-performing culture that values inclusion and innovation.
• Strong support for GFIs philosophy and mission; demonstrated interest in plant-based & other alternative proteins public health environmentalism climate change animal protection or hunger relief.
• A commitment to GFIs 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. Please see our full Equal Opportunity Statement: you are passionate about GFIs mission think you have what it takes to be successful in this position and meet many of the job requirements even if you dont check all the boxes please apply. Wed appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The fine print

• Terms of employment: Full-time exempt
• Reports to: Rachel Colombana Vice President of Development
• Direct reports: Amy Sacco Senior Prospect Research Manager; Megan Kellums Senior Development Project Manager (Indirect reports: Emma Adkisson Senior Donor Services Assistant and Development Communications Specialist)
• Location: Remote; United States
• Travel: Up to two weeks per year for organization retreats (reasonable accommodations for and exemptions from organization retreats 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: 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 GFIs policy is not to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas.
• Salary: $136884.54-$143728.78 (depending on experience and qualifications)

Important dates

Application deadline: December 23 2025

Anticipated start date: February 2 2026