About AIER
The American Institute for Economic Research (AIER) educates Americans on the value of personal freedom, free enterprise, property rights, limited government, and sound money. AIER envisions a society in which people are generally free to order their lives, liberties, and property as they see fit, consistent with the equal rights of others. This commitment respects the innate moral dignity of all people.

About the Role
AIER is seeking a Director of Development who is motivated by the opportunity to advance classical liberal and free market principles. This is a key position for someone who believes in AIER’s mission, is committed to the liberty movement, and wants to build durable donor relationships that support AIER’s long-term growth.

This role requires someone who has experience in direct solicitation, development operations (including working with vendors), and is confident managing staff and systems. The ideal candidate is proactive, entrepreneurial, and eager to build and strengthen a maturing development function. Mission fit, cultural fit, professional skills, and a strong work-ethic are paramount.

The Director of Development will report to the Director of Strategic Partnerships.

This role can be based remotely with proximity to a major airport. AIER offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.

Responsibilities

  • Work with the Director of Strategic Partnerships on departmental strategy, communications, proposals, and stewardship plans.
  • Oversee all development operations including CRM management and data integrity, donor acknowledgments and DAF coordination, reporting, list pulls, segmentation, and coordination with printers, mail houses, and other vendors.
  • Manage a portfolio of donors, with a strong focus on upgrading and expanding support.
  • Conduct donor outreach, visits, solicitations, and consistent stewardship follow-through.
  • Build consistent, repeatable systems for donor stewardship, tracking, and pipeline management.
  • Supervise two direct reports, provide structured expectations, coaching, and accountability, and help cultivate a culture of professionalism, responsiveness, and initiative.
  • Coordinate with communications and program staff as well as scholars to align messaging with AIER’s research priorities.
  • Represent AIER at donor meetings, conferences, and events as needed.

Key Qualifications

  • Strong alignment with classical liberal and free market principles and enthusiasm for AIER’s mission.
  • 5+ years of experience in fundraising, development, or donor-facing relationship work.
  • A demonstrated commitment to philanthropy or nonprofit fundraising.
  • Management experience or strong evidence of leadership capacity.
  • Proactive and entrepreneurial, with a track record of taking initiative rather than waiting for direction.
  • Excellent writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • Strong organizational discipline and comfort working in partnership with senior leadership.
  • Experience with Salesforce or a similar CRM.
  • Must live in or relocate to a major metropolitan area with convenient access to a major airport.
  • Reliability, discretion, and long-term commitment to the role and to AIER.
  • Ability to travel up to 30%.

Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to travel domestically and internationally, lift and transport equipment (up to 30 pounds) within the campus environment, remain in a stationary position for extended periods; move around airports, planes, cars, the office and between offices; constantly operate a computer and computer printer; frequently adjust focus for close vision work. The employee must be able to communicate both in writing and orally to various audiences, in person, by telephone, and by video.

FSLA Status: Exempt

The projected annual salary range for this role is $95,000-$130,000, contingent upon the specific skills and experience of the selected candidate.

How to Apply
To apply, qualified individuals should submit the following application materials in one PDF document:

  • Cover letter including:
    • An introductory paragraph(s) describing three distinct reasons you are drawn to AIER’s mission and how you came to those beliefs. Be sure to include at least one specific policy area that resonates with you.
    • Salary requirements
  • Resume

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/.

Questions can be directed to Stephanie Keaveney, Senior Manager of Outreach at Talent Market, who is managing the search process: [email protected].

There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.

Talent Market is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.