Breakthrough Discoveries

Role Description We are looking for a dynamic Director of Partnerships to build and lead the fundraising engine that will fuel Breakthrough Discoveries' growth and drive innovation for Mental Health research. This role isn't just about closing gifts; it's about designing a development program from the ground up for a lean, mission-driven organization. You will own the full arc of fundraising and partnership development strategy - from pipeline to portfolio to stewardship - ensuring our scientific partners have the resources they need to move fast and think big. You will serve as a foundational member of our leadership team, shaping how we engage donors, build relationships, and scale impact. We expect you to be an exceptional leader who can build something from very little, move with urgency, and bring others along with you. Responsibilities - Fundraising Strategy: Design and drive a comprehensive development strategy aligned to Breakthrough Discoveries' mission and growth targets. Evaluate and refine approaches continuously to meet short- and long-range goals. - Major Gifts: Cultivate and manage an active portfolio of major and principal gift prospects. Engage directly in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship across individuals, foundations, and corporations. - Pipeline Architecture: Build a sustainable pipeline through organic inbound leads, prospect research, data analytics, community connection, and strategic outreach. Create the systems and processes that make development repeatable and scalable. - Donor Relations: Lead a comprehensive stewardship program that deepens donor connection to Breakthrough Discoveries' work. Design acknowledgment processes and engagement strategies that recognize personal motivation and maximize long-term donor potential. - Community: Build community with change-makers in bipolar research. Lead the development of high-profile events to celebrate the progress in bipolar research. Work to develop action-oriented strategy across the community of mental health funders. - Team and Infrastructure: Select and implement software and tools to support development operations. Build toward an eventual development team. - Board and Leadership Engagement: Build strong working relationships with board, advisory, and organizational leaders. Coordinate fundraising efforts to support the organizational vision and shape a compelling philanthropic case for support. - Compliance and Stewardship: Coordinate with support teams to ensure regulatory and ethical compliance. Represent the organization at internal and external events. Qualifications - A Builder: You thrive in early-stage environments. You see a blank slate and instinctively know how to construct something durable. - A Relationship Architect: You understand that major philanthropy is built on trust, and you have the patience and presence to earn it. - Mission-Aligned: You have a genuine interest in scientific advancement and empathy for the community living with bipolar disorder. - An Entrepreneurial Leader: You know how to do a lot with a little, and you bring others along without losing momentum. - A Strategic Executor: You can hold the big picture and manage the details — moving fluidly between vision and implementation. - Remote Native: You are an expert at digital collaboration and can create meaningful connection from any distance. Requirements - 10+ years of progressive fundraising experience, with a demonstrated track record in major gifts and campaign leadership, ideally within a scientific or health-focused nonprofit environment. - Solid experience across the full development function, including major and principal gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, stewardship, and donor communications. - Strong practical knowledge of fundraising metrics, portfolio analytics, and performance tracking to inform strategy and report progress against goals. - Working experience with CRM platforms and fundraising software; comfort adopting and onboarding new tools to support a growing development operation. - Exceptional organizational and leadership abilities, with experience managing or building teams and setting individual and collective fundraising goals. - Outstanding communication and relationship skills, with the ability to engage credibly and warmly with donors, board members, scientific leaders, and internal colleagues at all levels. - Familiarity with nonprofit legal and ethical guidelines governing fundraising, donor intent, fund stewardship, and gift acceptance policies. Location & Work Eligibility To be considered for this role, you must currently reside in the U.S. and possess valid, ongoing work authorization that does not require company sponsorship. Company Description Breakthrough Discoveries is a lean, high-impact nonprofit dedicated to changing the trajectory of bipolar disorder research. We believe that by bridging the gap between innovative scientific inquiry and patient-centered care, we can accelerate the next generation of interventions and create a world where all people with bipolar disorder thrive. We prioritize agility, transparency, and a steadfast focus on our mission. Breakthrough Discoveries is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, especially those with lived experience in the mental health space.

Role Description We are seeking a Science Communications Manager to shape the voice of Breakthrough Discoveries. This isn't just about writing press releases; it's about translating complex, cutting-edge research into compelling narratives that move funders, policymakers, and the public to action. You will lead our communications strategy end-to-end while serving as a key liaison to our external communications firm, bringing scientific rigor to our message and ensuring our story is told with both accuracy and heart. Key Responsibilities - Content & Narrative Strategy: Develop and execute a communications calendar across channels — website, email, social media, and earned media — that connects our funded research to real-world impact for the bipolar disorder community. - Science Translation: Work with scientific leaders and funded investigators to distill complex research findings, outcomes, and impact into accessible content for non-specialist audiences including funders, advocates, and the general public. - Content Creation & Production: Write, edit, and publish across organizational channels, including newsletters, blog posts, social copy, website updates, and press materials. - External Agency Liaison: Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for our contracted communications firm by providing scientific context, reviewing final deliverables for accuracy, and ensuring alignment with our brand and mission. - Research Community Engagement: Partner with our funded investigators to elevate their work in the bipolar disorder community and beyond, coordinating researcher spotlights, publication announcements, and conference coverage. - Brand & Channel Management: Own and maintain our digital presence, bringing increased visibility to channels including the website, newsletter, and social platforms to ensure consistency, quality, and a human voice across all touchpoints. - Media & Stakeholder Relations: Support outreach to science journalists, patient advocacy organizations, and mental health media to grow awareness of and enthusiasm for our work. Qualifications - You believe that good science deserves a wide audience, and you know how to earn one. - You write with clarity, precision, and genuine respect for the complexity of the work. - You hold a degree in a life science, public health, or science communication field. - You have 5 years of experience in a communications, journalism, or content role, ideally at a nonprofit, research institution, or health-focused organization. - You are comfortable working with external partners and internal stakeholders alike, giving and receiving feedback, and keeping multiple workstreams moving without dropping the ball. - You have a genuine investment in mental health science and empathy for the community living with bipolar disorder, whether through personal experience, professional history, or both. - You are self-directed and disciplined in a fully remote environment, skilled at async communication and proactive about keeping colleagues in the loop. Benefits - Every story you tell connects directly to research that improves treatment and care. - As a foundational hire, you'll shape the communications function from the ground up, with room to grow as the organization does. - You'll work alongside scientists and advocates who are deeply committed to the mission and to each other. Company Description Breakthrough Discoveries is a lean, high-impact nonprofit dedicated to changing the trajectory of bipolar disorder research. We believe that by bridging the gap between innovative scientific inquiry and patient-centered care, we can accelerate the next generation of interventions and create a world where all people with bipolar disorder thrive. We prioritize agility, transparency, and a steadfast focus on our mission.

This description is a summary of our understanding of the job description. Click on 'Apply' button to find out more. Role Description We are seeking a high-agency Director of Operations to serve as the backbone of our organization. This isn't just about 'keeping the lights on'; it's about designing the infrastructure for a modern, remote-first nonprofit. You will oversee the intersection of finance, HR, legal, and grant administration, ensuring our scientific partners have the resources they need to move fast. You will help us with the organization of our daily operations, in order to safeguard and augment the efficiency of the company's operations to facilitate accelerating development and long-term success. Your duties will include ensuring that our business is well-coordinated and productive by managing its procedures and coaching its people. - Operational Architecture: Build and maintain our remote tech stack (Computers, Microsoft Suite, Slack, Notion, Zoom, PM tools) to ensure seamless communication, productivity, and security across time zones. - Day to Day Ops: Work together with executives and managers to make decisions for operational activities and set strategic goals. Monitor daily business activities to ensure smooth progress. Perform evaluation of the efficiency of business procedures according to organizational objectives and apply improvements, on a regular basis. - Financial Stewardship: Manage the annual budget, oversee bookkeeping, and ensure compliance with nonprofit financial regulations. You will lead the 'business-side' of our fundraising and grant making cycles. - Culture and People: In collaboration with leadership, develop a remote-first culture that prevents burnout and fosters connection. Manage hiring, onboarding, and payroll for a growing team. Review and update policies and promote their implementation. - Grants and Research Administration: Work alongside our scientific leaders to manage the distribution of funds, tracking milestones, and reporting requirements of funded researchers. Organize relationships and agreements with external partners and vendors. - Compliance and Governance: Act as the primary verifier of the compliance of company's operations to legal regulations related to our 501(c)(3) status and employment practices across jurisdictions. Qualifications - 5+ years' experience in organizational operations, ideally in a scientific nonprofit environment. - Solid experience with diverse business functions and principles (e.g. HR, finance, IT, communications, etc.). - Good practical knowledge of data analysis and performance/operation metrics. - Working experience with MS Office and various business software including ERP and CRM solutions. - Strong organizational and leadership abilities. - Strong communication and people skills. - Good knowledge of industry's legal rules and guidelines. - BSc or BA degree in business administration or other relevant area; MSc or MA degree will be a bonus. Requirements - A Systems Thinker: You see a chaotic process and instinctively want to build a workflow for it. - Pragmatic Leader: Entrepreneurial. You know how to do a lot with a little. - Science Enthusiast: You are a scientist or have worked in the sciences to support the systems and people who expand knowledge. - Mission-Aligned: You have a genuine interest in scientific advancement and empathy for the community living with bipolar disorder. - Remote Native: You are an expert at digital collaboration and understand the nuances of managing a team you don't see in person every day. Company Description Breakthrough Discoveries is a lean, high-impact nonprofit dedicated to changing the trajectory of bipolar disorder research. We believe that by bridging the gap between innovative scientific inquiry and patient-centered care, we can accelerate the next generation of interventions and create a world where all people with bipolar disorder thrive. We prioritize agility, transparency, and a steadfast focus on our mission.