Director of Strategic Partnerships

OpenMined Foundation's Mission

At OpenMined, we are dedicated to building a world where everyone can access the full potential of data to drive meaningful societal change—while ensuring privacy and ethical stewardship. As a nonprofit, our mission is to create the first public network for non-public information: a secure, open-source ecosystem where individuals, institutions, and governments can collaborate on critical insights without compromising privacy. We envision a future where privacy-enhanced tools empower people to make informed decisions for the greater good.

Since our founding in 2017, OpenMined has grown into a thriving, fully distributed community of over 16,000 contributors, including engineers, researchers, and policy experts. Our collaborations with leading organizations like the United Nations, Microsoft, Twitter, and the World Health Organization underscore our commitment to innovation and impact. If you’re passionate about privacy, open-source technology, and building tools that shape a more ethical and connected future, we invite you to join our mission.

About the Role

As the Director of Strategic Partnerships, you will take the lead in establishing and overseeing OpenMined’s new fundraising function. This role is pivotal in driving our mission to advance AI safety and Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (PETs). You will be responsible for creating a comprehensive fundraising strategy, developing relationships with key stakeholders, and securing funding to support our initiatives. OpenMined has currently raised $10M+ and we aim to secure an additional $8M over the next year. Your leadership will be crucial in achieving these ambitious goals.

The Director of Strategic Partnerships will work closely with Andrew Trask, Executive Director of OpenMined to create an ongoing vision for OpenMined’s fundraising opportunities and goals. Unlike typical fundraising roles, where you might focus solely on donor engagement, this position allows you to shape the entire philanthropic strategy of a rapidly growing organization. You will have the opportunity to build and lead a team, influence organizational strategy, and work closely with both internal and external partners to ensure our success.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a strategic fundraising plan that aligns with OpenMined’s mission and long-term goals.
• Leverage an established network of high-net-worth individuals, philanthropic organizations, foundations, and corporate partners to secure large-scale funding and expand OpenMined's donor base.
• Build and sustain long-term partnerships with key stakeholders to ensure ongoing financial support for OpenMined’s initiatives.
• Recruit, lead, and develop a high-performing fundraising team to drive the organization’s growth.
• Oversee grant management, including identifying opportunities, applying for, and managing grants from foundations and institutional funders.
• Collaborate with the communications team to craft compelling narratives that effectively communicate OpenMined’s mission and impact.
• Set metrics to assess the success of fundraising initiatives and use data-driven insights to improve strategies.
• Plan and manage in-person events with donors and partners to foster engagement and support for OpenMined.

Requirements

• Extensive experience in a senior partnerships' role, ideally in the technology or AI sectors.
• In-depth knowledge of AI safety, privacy-enhancing technologies, and the broader tech ecosystem.
• Well-established network within the philanthropic community, including high-net-worth individuals, major donors, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Proven ability to secure large-scale funding, including making six- and seven-figure fundraising asks.
• Strong leadership and team-building abilities, with a talent for inspiring and guiding diverse teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage a broad range of stakeholders.
• Deep commitment to OpenMined’s mission and a passion for advancing AI safety and privacy.
• Skilled in conveying OpenMined’s mission and vision effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience in applying for and managing government grants.
• Willingness to travel for fundraising opportunities as needed.

Benefits

• Mission-Driven Work: Be part of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, focused on social impact rather than profit, offering the chance to make a meaningful difference in the world.
• Open Source Contribution: Make a real impact by contributing to an Open Source project that benefits a broad community.
• Collaborative Global Team: Join a dynamic, international team that values collaboration and diversity.
• Flexible Work Hours: Enjoy the autonomy to structure your work hours around what best fits your life and productivity.
• Fully Remote Work: Work from anywhere in the world—no office or commute required.
• Results-Driven Culture: Thrive in an environment that values efficiency and results over bureaucracy.
• Flexible Paid Time Off: Take the time you need with flexible vacation days, alongside recognition of local national holidays.
• Competitive Compensation: Receive competitive pay, with equity in salary across different regions.