Director of Development

About FirstPrinciples:
FirstPrinciples is a non-profit organization building an autonomous AI Physicist to understand the nature of reality: the underlying structure, governing principles, and fundamental laws of our universe. We're developing an intelligent system that can explore theoretical frameworks, reason across disciplines, and generate novel insights to tackle the deepest unsolved problems in physics. By combining AI, symbolic reasoning, and autonomous research capabilities, we're developing a platform that goes beyond analyzing existing knowledge to actively contribute to physics research. Our goal is to accelerate progress on the questions that have captivated humanity for centuries.

We operate as a global nonprofit organization, with a Canadian foundation, a US-based 501(c)(3).

Job Description:
We're seeking an exceptional development & fundraising leader with the vision, network, and deal-making prowess to secure the resources needed to revolutionize scientific discovery. As our Director of Development, you'll craft and execute a bold funding strategy that attracts visionary philanthropists, forward-thinking foundations, and ambitious government partners. This role is perfect for someone who can translate groundbreaking scientific potential into compelling funding opportunities and has a track record of closing transformational deals.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Fundraising Leadership:

• Develop and execute a multi-year fundraising strategy targeting multi-million dollar commitments from diverse funding sources.
• Build a portfolio approach balancing major gifts, foundation grants, government funding, and innovative financing mechanisms.
• Create compelling narratives that position FirstPrinciples as the highest-impact funding recipient in the future of science.
• Design metrics and accountability frameworks that demonstrate tangible progress toward scientific breakthroughs.

Major Donor Cultivation & Stewardship:

• Identify, cultivate and build deep long-term relationships with high-net-worth individuals, science foundations, research institutions, philanthropists, government funding agencies and institutional donors.
• Lead and organize exclusive donor engagement initiatives, exclusive funder events, and private donor roundtables.
• Develop impact reports showing how donor contributions directly accelerate specific scientific discoveries.

Institutional Funding Excellence:

• Identify and secure large-scale, multi-year grants from major science foundations (e.g., Simons Foundation, Kavli Foundation, Wellcome Trust, Gates Foundation, etc.).
• Navigate complex government funding mechanisms (NSF, DARPA, NSERC, ERC, Horizon Europe) to access research grants.
• Structure and negotiate complex agreements that align donor incentives with FirstPrinciples’ mission to accelerate scientific discovery.
• Expand FirstPrinciples' access to government research funding, impact-driven venture funding, and global science funding programs.

Deal Architecture & Negotiation: 

• Structure and negotiate funding agreements and deal structures with sophisticated funders.
• Manage due diligence processes with new funders and foundation partners.
• Create funding syndicates that bring together multiple funders around shared scientific missions.

Scaling Growth & Team Development:

• Over time, build and lead a world-class fundraising team, including grant writers, donor relations managers, and institutional fundraising specialists.
• Work closely with FirstPrinciples’ leadership team to align funding strategies with overall growth objectives.
• Design scalable fundraising processes, CRM systems, and funder engagement strategies.
• Foster a culture of urgency, excellence, and scientific passion within the development team

Qualifications:

• Proven success in enterprise-level sales, account management, business development, or strategic fundraising, ideally with experience in high-growth startups, deep-tech, or scientific/AI-related industries.
• Track record of closing large, complex deals (multi-million, multi-year commitments) with urgency and persistence.
• Strong existing network of funders, science philanthropists, and AI/physics research investors.
• Experience in fundraising for scientific institutions, AI research labs, or breakthrough technology initiatives.
• Familiarity with research institutions, scientific discoveries, and the AI funding landscape.
• Demonstrated passion for physics and for making scientific knowledge accessible and impactful.

Application Process:

• Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume, a cover letter detailing their qualifications and vision for the role, and references. Please include "Director of Development" in the cover letter.

Join us at FirstPrinciples and be a part of a transformative journey where science drives progress and unlocks the potential of humanity.