Director of Business Development

Talent is evenly distributed,

opportunity is not.

We exist to change that.

The National Education Opportunity Network (NEON) is a rapidly scaling education justice non-profit that seeks to propel economic mobility by democratizing access to higher education. We deliver and support actual college credit-bearing courses from our nation’s top universities (Howard, Stanford, Wharton, Spelman, Brown, Wesleyan, Dartmouth, and more) into teacher-led high school classrooms in low-income, Title 1 high schools - at no cost to students. Since our inception in 2019, we have reached nearly 60,000 scholars from 160 districts in 34 states and are on track to serve 1 million scholars within the next decade. 

We are a passionate team of former education and civil rights leaders, teachers, policy-wonks, and consultants – with an active board, including former U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan; founder of the Children’s Defense Fund, Marian Wright Edelman; University of Pennsylvania Professor, Angela Duckworth; CEO of the Common App, Jenny Rickard; and former Howard University President, Dr. Wayne Frederick.

To learn more about our mission and our work, please read this New York Times front-page feature, this Forbes article, or just click this 3 minute video clip of the experts (our scholars!) discussing the impact of this opportunity with Judge Ann Claire Williams, Ret., trustee, Carnegie Corporation of New York.

THE ROLE

The Director of Business Development will lead the continued expansion of NEON’s fundraising engine, bringing creativity and relationship excellence to steward a growing base of philanthropic partners. This leader will be both a strategist and a doer - able to set direction, build systems, and personally cultivate high-value relationships that support NEON’s mission and growth. Though the role responsibilities will shift to meet the needs of our growing organization, your skills and expertise will be leveraged to:

• Lead and grow a portfolio of donors: Own cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for individual givers; personally manage relationships with high-capacity donors and prospects, focusing on multi-year and unrestricted commitments.

• Support foundation and corporate partnerships:  Develop customized pitches, renewal proposals, and donor engagement materials; ensure timely delivery of reports, grant materials, and investment cases.

• Manage development operations and systems:  Oversee grant/report deadlines and lead weekly development meetings, monitor portfolio health and team performance relative to development goals, identify and resolve potential risks, and ensure accountability across deliverables.

• Collaborate cross-functionally to advance fundraising strategy and our broader mission: Work closely with senior leaders, communications, and program teams to align donor strategy with organizational goals, impact data, and budget needs.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Education & Experience:

  • 6+ years in fast-paced, rigorous environments (e.g., consulting, strategy, finance, philanthropy, campaigns, policy, or high-growth nonprofits). Traditional development experience is welcome but not required.

• Skills & Competencies:

  • Proven ability to build trust, influence senior stakeholders, and manage complex external relationships with discretion and emotional intelligence.
  • Exceptional writing, storytelling, and public speaking skills, with the ability to turn complex work into compelling narratives.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional workstreams, set priorities, manage deadlines, and drive toward outcomes.
  • Eagerness to design, test, and improve systems and approaches; ability to operate at both strategic and hands-on levels.

• Commitment to Educational Equity:

  • A deep, personal commitment to advancing educational equity and supporting students from underserved backgrounds.

  • Passion for expanding opportunities and addressing the systemic challenges that exist in Title I schools.

THE SALARY

The Director of Business Development role offers a competitive compensation package ranging from $100,000 to $150,000, plus a potentially substantial performance bonus, with final salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. New hires typically start between the range minimum and midpoint. A comprehensive benefits package is also available.

THE TEAM

The Director of Business Development role will join a fast-paced team of equity warriors committed to providing opportunities for students who have historically and systemically been left out of opportunities. This position will report directly to the President and Chief Operating Officer, with frequent interactions with the CEO. Our organization is 100% remote, with team gatherings throughout the year, and opportunities to travel. Applicants do not need to live in the state of New York.   

HOW TO APPLY

This is a competitive national search. To be considered for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter on our website. This is an active national search. You will be notified promptly if you are being considered for this position.

Thank you for your interest in propelling opportunities!

It is the policy of the National Education Opportunity Network not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or citizenship status. We will take specific action to ensure that applicants are employed and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or citizenship status. Such action shall include, but not be limited to the following: recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other Terms and Conditions of Employment except as provided by law.