Director of Philanthropy

About the Asia Climate Philanthropy Advisory

There is a pressing need to intensify climate action in Asia, with climate change threatening economic losses of up to USD 57 billion and increases in poverty populations of up to 200 million people in Asia-Pacific by 2040. Significant wealth growth in the region offers a unique opportunity for Asian philanthropists to catalyse climate action as climate giving has not kept pace-currently 2% of global philanthropic funding goes towards climate, with only 12% that going to Asia.

The Asia Climate Philanthropy Advisory will be the first of its kind in the region dedicated to driving increased climate-focused philanthropy and advocacy in Asia, with a strategic market focus on high-potential regional hubs such as Hong Kong and Singapore-both of which are characterised by a critical base of ecosystem intermediaries, robust financial infrastructures, and a high density of ultra-high-net-worth-individuals.

The Asia Climate Philanthropy Advisory is a brand new initiative being incubated by several leading philanthropists and climate foundations in Asia and around the world, and is initially hosted by Tara Climate Foundation, based in Singapore. The Advisory is dedicated to gravitating Asian philanthropists towards climate by empowering them with the knowledge, guided support and connections they need to make strategic, impactful contributions-through their philanthropic capital and advocacy. Through tailored content and vetted solutions, the Advisory will cut through the perceived complexity of climate to foster deeper engagement and plug philanthropists into a diverse network of climate-focused experts, peers and partners.

With a view to raise the number of philanthropists advocating and deploying capital for climate action in Asia, the Advisory will deliver the following services:

. Bespoke support: 1-to-1 and 1-to-few advisory support and education on climate topics

. Asia Climate Knowledge: High-integrity climate content with intersectional interests

. Giving Opportunities and Pathways: Curated and vetted solutions-portfolios, and tailored proposals aligned to the geographic and thematic interests of donors

Curated Climate Community: Facilitated access to and engagement with an in-built community of climate actors (i.e. peer philanthropists, field partners, and experts)

About the Role

As a part of this pioneering initiative, the Director of Philanthropy will brainstorm and lead efforts to draw in and engage high-potential donors, building strong relationships with philanthropists and partnerships with intermediaries while developing tailored strategies to channel capital and advocacy towards impactful climate solutions in Asia.

Key responsibilities

The Director of Philanthropy will ensure the Advisory builds and sustains a robust pipeline of high-potential philanthropists and partners, driving engagement and channelling resources toward impactful climate solutions in Asia. The role will lead in two key areas:

1. Principal Relationship and Network Building & Management

. Strategise, operationalise and iterate on new initiatives and outreach strategies towards fostering direct relationships with principals in key Asian wealth centres (i.e. Hong Kong and Singapore), with the aim to inspire Asian philanthropists to make significant philanthropic contributions to climate solutions in Asia.

. Monitor and capitalise on emerging opportunities for principal connections across other Asian cities, setting the strategies and vision for prospect research and outreach. Optimise the portfolio management system and rate-and-screen process.

. Connect and forge strategic alliances with key stakeholders and intermediaries in the climate ecosystem, and deepen partnerships with the extensive network of the Advisory's leadership team, Board of Directors and Advisory council to position the Advisory as a credible leader and connector in the climate space. Leverage this credibility to build trust-based referrals to broaden its pipeline of high-potential climate philanthropists.

. Identify, recruit, and prime potential peer philanthropists and influencers within the Advisory's networks, keeping these stakeholders deeply engaged with and contributing to the Advisory's mission and pipeline.

2. Philanthropy Advising and Journeying

. Manage portfolio of philanthropists at varying levels of climate philanthropy activity, providing 1-to-1 guidance and coordination support as they progress through a structured climate giving journey. Synthesise insights from ongoing engagements to identify and design an adapted suite of services, ensuring alignment with philanthropists evolving needs and maximising progress throughout their journey.

. In close collaboration with the Climate Director, deliver and communicate high-quality bespoke giving pathways and proposals that are sensitive to philanthropists interests and giving progress, leveraging and offering the Advisory's repository of vetted solutions and curated thematic opportunities to guarantee impact in addressing Asia's most pressing climate challenges.

The Director of Philanthropy will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and will also work closely with the Climate Director.

Person Specification

Excited by the prospect of working for a dynamic and fast-growing international organisation dedicated to driving philanthropic growth to address Asia's climate crisis, the ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of principal-level fundraising with some combination of expertise or oversight across donor pipeline development, prospect research, peer / volunteer mobilisation, and event strategies.

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

. Expertise in building prospect strategies and in translating intelligence into action, ensuring detailed follow-through on existing and new initiatives.

. Acute understanding of ultra-high-net-worth gift progression and stakeholder engagement abilities, amongst peers in NGOs and philanthropists.

. Strategic and innovative communicator, sparking new ideas and focusing on highest-value strategies and harnesses market knowledge and trends to drive towards goals. Adept at testing, iterating, and refining strategies for pipeline development and donor engagement.

. Ability to build and leverage external networks in support of an organisation's mission to develop standards and systems to activate, engage, and retain engagement as well as track contributions and outcomes.

. Demonstrable track record in advancing and accomplishing initiatives, which include, among others: fundraising campaign design and execution, project management, staff management, pledge design and execution, board management, streamlined donor information management, and donor engagement.

Additional attributes:

. A high level of cultural sensitivity and the ability to work effectively in diverse and cross-cultural environments.

. Exceptional organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

. Experience overseeing or contributing to donor marketing/communications activities

. Demonstrated enthusiasm, a sense of optimism, and a readiness to share the field's urgency to significantly increase climate philanthropy.

. Alignment with and commitment to the Advisory's mission and vision.

Education & Experience

. Bachelor's degree and higher.

. Experience operating in an environment where principal gifts or funding deals in the seven and eight figure range were achieved.

. Experience with sophisticated and collaborative strategic partnership models to engage critical stakeholders.

. Familiarity with the climate and sustainability landscape in Asia is advantageous.

Location:

. Singapore

Stakeholder Management

. Philanthropic funders and philanthropic intermediaries (e.g. private banks, family foundations, donor-advised funds, member networks)

. Climate platforms, organisations and experts (e.g. civil society organisations, implementing organisations, regrantors, research institutions, think tanks, academics, multilateral agencies)

What the Advisory can offer

. The unique opportunity to lead and build a dynamic team and board that combines passion for making a difference with a rigorous, results-oriented approach to work.

. A flexible work environment.

. Competitive compensation.

. Opportunities for career development and personal growth.

. A collaborative, fun and thriving team, driven by our mission and dedicated to living our values.