Development Manager

About FirstPrinciples:
FirstPrinciples is a non-profit organization building an autonomous AI Physicist designed to advance humanity's understanding of the fundamental laws of nature. Our goal for the AI Physicist is to achieve a breakthrough that unifies quantum field theory & general relativity and to explain the deepest unresolved phenomena in our universe by 2035. To do this, we're pioneering a new approach to scientific discovery by creating an intelligent system that can explore theoretical frameworks, reason across disciplines, and generate novel insights. We're a non-profit that operates like a tech start-up by moving quickly and continuously iterating to accelerate scientific progress. 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.

Job Description:
We're seeking a driven development & fundraising professional with the hustle, relationship-building skills, and closing ability to help secure the resources needed to revolutionize scientific discovery. As a Development Manager, you'll be an individual contributor responsible for identifying prospects, cultivating relationships, and closing deals with philanthropists, foundations, and institutional funders. This is a hands-on role perfect for someone who thrives in an account executive-style position and has a track record of personally closing significant funding commitments.

Key Responsibilities:

Donor Prospecting & Pipeline Management:

• Research and identify high-potential funding prospects including HNW/UHNW individuals, family offices, science foundations, and institutional donors.
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of qualified prospects with clear stages and next steps.
• Track all donor interactions, meetings, and progress in CRM systems (Salesforce & Asana).
• Execute outreach campaigns to engage new prospects and generate funding conversation.

Relationship Building & Cultivation:

• Personally manage relationships with a portfolio of donors and institutional funders.
• Conduct discovery meetings to understand donor interests and align them with FirstPrinciples' mission.
• Schedule and facilitate donor meetings, product demos and engagement opportunities.
• Develop tailored cultivation strategies for each prospect based on their interests and capacity.

Deal Closing & Stewardship:

• Lead funding conversations from initial contact through commitment and closing.
• Create compelling funding proposals and pitch materials customized to each prospect.
• Structure and negotiate gift terms, agreements & commitments that align donor incentives with FirstPrinciples’ mission to accelerate scientific discovery.
• Maintain ongoing stewardship relationships with donors post-commitment.
• Develop impact reports showing how donor contributions directly accelerate specific scientific discoveries.

Grant Writing & Institutional Funding: 

• Research foundation and government funding opportunities aligned with FirstPrinciples' work.
• Write and submit grant applications to foundations, research institutions, and government agencies.
• Respond to requests for proposals (RFPs) and funding competitions.
• Manage grant reporting requirements and funder communication.

Collaboration & Execution:

• Work closely with FirstPrinciples' leadership to communicate scientific progress and impact to funders.
• Translate complex scientific concepts into compelling narratives for diverse audiences.
• Collaborate with the team to create impact reports, donor updates, and presentation materials.
• Support donor events, fundraising campaigns, and special initiatives as needed.

Qualifications:

• 3-5+ years of experience in sales, business development, account management, or fundraising with a proven track record of personally closing deals.
• Proven success in meeting or exceeding revenue/fundraising targets in a quota-carrying or goal-driven role, ideally with experience in high-growth startups, deep-tech, or scientific/AI-related industries.
• Experience managing a full sales/fundraising cycle from prospecting to close.
• 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.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to build rapport quickly.
• Self-starter mentality with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• 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 "Development Manager" 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.