Canopy Planet, Senior Director of Development, Remote Position
About Canopy Planet
Canopy is a solutions-driven non-profit founded in 1999 with the sole purpose of ending the deforestation and degradation of critical forest ecosystems around the world. For 25 years,
Canopy has been a driving force in transforming wood-based supply chains — including publishing, packaging, and textiles — to eliminate fibre coming from the world's most critical forests and ensure a livable planet for all. Every year, over five billion trees are cut down to make paper, paper packaging, and fabrics such as rayon and viscose. Many of these trees come from the world's Ancient and Endangered Forests. These forests are critically important to stabilizing the climate, protecting biodiversity, and securing the rights and livelihoods of millions of Indigenous people around the world.
We want to ensure the world’s most vital forests don’t end up as packaging for your next shipment box, takeout container, or fabric for your new t-shirt. That is why, through our CanopyStyle and Pack4Good initiatives, we work with over a thousand global companies, large and small, and the world’s savviest innovators to transform unsustainable forest-based supply chains and catalyze the commercial scale-up of low-carbon, circular, Next Gen alternatives.
Learn more about Canopy Planet at https://canopyplanet.org/.
The Opportunity
The Senior Director of Development is the senior leader of Canopy’s fundraising function, accountable for overall strategy, performance, systems, and long-term philanthropic growth. This individual will own and drive the full fundraising portfolio, including major gifts, institutional giving, donor stewardship, and pipeline development ensuring Canopy achieves ambitious revenue goals while building a scalable and high-performing development operation.
Canopy has secured support from leading global philanthropic initiatives, including the TED Audacious Project (TAP), a distinction that underscores the organization’s ability to attract significant, multi-year investments and operate at the forefront of climate philanthropy. The Senior Director of Development will build on this momentum, serving as the architect of Canopy’s philanthropic strategy, leading the Philanthropic Partnerships team and overseeing all aspects of fundraising execution. The Senior Director will build and optimize systems, strengthen pipeline discipline, and ensure consistent forecasting and performance management across the function. In parallel, they will operate as a frontline fundraiser, cultivating and securing high-impact, multi-year investments from major donors and institutional partners.
The Senior Director of Development will partner closely with the Head of Executive Relations and Executive Director on top donor relationships, key solicitations, and strategic engagement opportunities. They will also play a critical role in supporting and coaching internal stakeholders, including senior leadership and program teams on fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and relationship development. As a member of the leadership team, this individual will champion and embed a culture of philanthropy across the organization, ensuring fundraising is integrated into Canopy’s broader strategy, storytelling, and impact delivery.
Externally, the Senior Director will serve as a key ambassador for Canopy, representing the organization with donors, foundations, and partners, and at high-level events and convenings. This role may include travel to support donor cultivation and relationship management across key regions.
The successful candidate will be a dynamic, forward-thinking development leader with strong strategic, relationship-building, and management capabilities, and a deep commitment to Canopy’s mission. They will play a critical role in shaping the organization’s long-term sustainability and global impact. This is a full-time position reporting to the Head of Executive Relations and working closely with Canopy’s founder and Executive Director.
Contact
DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Liz Lombard, Managing Director and Angie Sessoms, Managing Associate. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.
About DSG | Koya
DSG | Koya, a DSG Global company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, DSG | Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. DSG | Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
DSG Global is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.
Learn more about DSG | Koya via the firm's website.