Description

About Black Ambition

Founded by Pharrell Williams in 2020, Black Ambition is a nonprofit organization dedicated to positioning underrepresented entrepreneurs for success, uninterrupted. Through the provision of startup capital, world-class coaching and care, and a robust community of supporters, Black Ambition works to close opportunity gaps and catalyze generational wealth. Our work sits at the intersection of entrepreneurship, culture, innovation, and equity. Black Ambition seeks an experienced Part-time Director of Development to join a dynamic team of change agents working to position underrepresented entrepreneurs to excel.

Position Overview

•  Location: Flexible / Hybrid (U.S.-based required, FL preferred)
• Time Commitment: 15–20 hours per week
• Reports to: CEO & Executive Leadership Team
• Travel: Select travel required for funder meetings and key events

Black Ambition seeks a Part-Time Director of Development to play a critical role in advancing the organization’s fundraising strategy and contributing to an annual fundraising goal of $6 million. This senior-level leader will cultivate, steward, and expand relationships with corporate, philanthropic, and government partners in support of Black Ambition’s signature programs, events, and storytelling platforms.

The ideal candidate is a strategic, relationship-driven fundraiser with a proven track record of securing significant support for equity- and diversity-centered initiatives and is energized by working within a dynamic, culturally influential nonprofit. The Director of Development will report to the CEO.

The following information is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or required skills.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Fundraising Strategy & Revenue Generation
• Contribute to and help execute a comprehensive development strategy to support an annual raise of $6
•  Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate, foundation, and public-sector funders
• Secure multi-year and six- and seven-figure partnerships aligned with Black Ambition’s mission and programs
• Support grant strategy and high-level proposal development in collaboration with internal teams and external P.inc partners and consultants as needed.

Program & Event Fundraising Support

Lead or support fundraising efforts tied to Black Ambition’s signature events and founder initiatives, including:

• The annual Black Ambition Prize Competition & Culminating Demo Day Celebration
• Fundable Founders Forum (annual conference)
• Fundable Founders Digital Learning Lab
• Corporate Learning Labs and bespoke founder training experiences
• Special events at major business conferences and cultural convenings (ex. Afrotech, Martha’s Vineyard Convenings, Festival of the Diaspora etc.)
• Storytelling platforms and public education initiatives, including So Ambitious Podcast and Decode the Encoded

Relationship Management & Leadership Engagement

•  Leverage deep industry relationships to unlock new funding and partnership opportunities
• Schedule, facilitate and participate in funder meetings alongside Black Ambition’s leadership
• Serve as a trusted thought partner to the executive team on funder engagement, positioning, and messaging
• Represent Black Ambition with credibility and influence across philanthropic, corporate, and civic ecosystems

Systems, Stewardship & Reporting

•  Develop a comprehensive 12-month fundraising strategy with SMART goals and clearly defined KPIs.
• Support funder stewardship, renewals, and reporting in collaboration with operations and finance
• Ensure alignment between funder priorities, program outcomes, and storytelling
• Track progress toward fundraising goals and provide regular updates to leadership

The Ideal Candidate will have the following qualifications:

•  Minimum of 8+ years of fundraising or development experience, with demonstrated success securing significant support from corporate, philanthropic, and/or government partners
• Proven experience fundraising for equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives, entrepreneurship, workforce development, or social impact organizations
• Strong existing relationships across corporate, philanthropic, and public-sector funders
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate mission into compelling funding opportunities
•  Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-visibility, founder-led organization
• Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with senior leadership

Time Commitment & Availability

•  Available to work 15–20 hours per week
•  Flexible schedule with availability for meetings with leadership and partners
•  Willingness to travel occasionally for key funder meetings and signature events, including international locations (up to 40% working hours)

Benefits:  

•  Paid Holidays
•   Vacation package
•   Technology provided for Company Use 
•    Professional development opportunities 

Why Join Black Ambiton? 

This is a unique opportunity to help shape and sustain one of the most culturally influential entrepreneurship organizations advancing underrepresented founders. As Director of Development, you will play a pivotal role in unlocking capital, elevating impact, and fueling a movement that blends innovation, culture, and equity at scale. Review our 2025 year-end report here to get better acquainted with our programs, impact and goals for the future.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Jermeen Sherman, managing director at jermeen@blackambitionprize.com.