How to apply for Director of Development Strategy & Operations

About New Energy Nexus

New Energy Nexus is an international NGO focused on clean energy entrepreneurs, providing funds, accelerators, and networks. Since 2004, it has expanded to multiple regions and helped leverage US$5.4 billion in investment for over 11,000 entrepreneurs. This role offers a chance to support climate solutions and build a more equitable clean energy economy from within a global organization.

About the role

The Director of Development Strategy & Operations leads the internal engine behind New Energy Nexus' global fundraising and business development. Reporting to the CEO, you will turn frontline intelligence from development staff and country teams into a prioritized fundraising strategy, and ensure the team is coordinated, resourced, and focused on high-value opportunities. This is not a donor-facing role; it is about strategy, team leadership, and fundraising operations.

A typical day

A typical day might involve reviewing pipeline data and proposal statuses, meeting with development staff to gather frontline insights, and working with the CEO to refine fundraising priorities. You could also coordinate with country teams to align their fundraising efforts with the global strategy and ensure resources are allocated effectively.

Who New Energy Nexus is looking for

• Deep understanding of the business and fund development cycle, with experience translating funder signals and proposal performance into strategy.
• Proven ability to lead and coordinate a global development team, ensuring resources are aligned with high-value opportunities.
• Experience in fundraising operations, including pipeline management, proposal tracking, and resource allocation.
• Strong analytical skills to assess what's landing and what isn't, and to prioritize markets and programs based on funder interest.

Tips for this application

• Highlight your experience in fundraising strategy and operations, not donor relationship management, as the role explicitly excludes that.
• Show how you have used frontline intelligence from staff or country teams to shape a coherent fundraising strategy.
• Demonstrate your ability to lead and coordinate a team, focusing on prioritization and resource allocation.
• Research New Energy Nexus' global footprint and funding history to tailor your application to their specific context.
• Emphasize any experience with clean energy or climate-focused fundraising, as NEX's focus is on clean energy entrepreneurs.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your approach to translating funder signals and proposal outcomes into a prioritized fundraising strategy.', 'How you have led a development team to focus on high-value opportunities and improved coordination.', 'Your experience with fundraising operations, including pipeline management and resource allocation.', "Why you want to support New Energy Nexus' mission of empowering clean energy entrepreneurs globally."]

Research before applying

• New Energy Nexus' history, mission, and global operations, including their work in China, India, Southeast Asia, East and West Africa, and Australia.
• Their funding model and major funders, as well as the US$5.4 billion in investment they have leveraged.
• The types of accelerators and programs they run for clean energy entrepreneurs.
• Recent news or reports about New Energy Nexus' fundraising efforts or strategic priorities.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How you would turn frontline intelligence from country teams into a global fundraising strategy.
• Your experience managing a development team and ensuring they are focused on the highest-value opportunities.
• A time you identified a stalling proposal and what you did to address it.
• How you prioritize markets and programs when funder interest varies.
• Your understanding of the fund development cycle and how you have improved fundraising operations.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Focusing on donor-facing relationship management experience, as the role is not primarily donor-facing.
• Being vague about how you have used data or feedback to shape fundraising strategy.
• Ignoring the global aspect of the role; show you can coordinate across different regions and teams.