Role Number: 8227

Reimagining the built environment for people and planet

Buildings shape our lives — but the way we construct and operate them today is driving up emissions, compromising our health and leaving people without access to adequate homes.

We need to act now to support solutions that ensure human and environmental well-being and prevent long-term dependency on high-emission, harmful systems.

Assemble is a philanthropic alliance with the purpose to drive the transition to affordable, emissions-free, and resilient buildings for all.

We do this by aligning the field around a shared strategy, unlocking funding, and scaling action through collaborative grantmaking. As a fiscally-hosted project, we work with both pooled and aligned funders to enable buildings that support human and planetary wellbeing.

Our aim is to mobilise $350 million and drive systems change across 15 high-impact markets to ensure that by 2030, affordable, near-zero emission and resilient buildings become the new normal.

With momentum building and a growing list of committed and prospective funders, Assemble is now seeking a Director of Development to lead its next phase of resource mobilisation.

The role

Reporting to the Chief Executive, the Director of Development will design and deliver Assemble’s global fundraising strategy, securing multi-year, multi-million-dollar commitments from leading foundations. You will position Assemble’s value proposition with clarity and conviction and translate strategy into compelling funding opportunities. You will act as a strategic partner to the Chief Executive and Steering Committee, shaping not only how Assemble is funded, but how its model evolves to maximise impact and donor alignment.

You will be a senior, professional fundraiser with a proven track record of securing significant philanthropic commitments, ideally for pooled or collaborative funds. You will bring credibility with international foundations, experience operating across climate and development landscapes, and the confidence to engage at the highest strategic levels. You will be able to articulate why the built environment matters. You will combine strategic judgement with hands-on delivery, strong relationship stewardship, and the ability to turn high-level convenings into real financial commitments. Above all, you will be values-aligned, entrepreneurial, collaborative, and motivated by systems change rather than transactional fundraising.

The deadline for applications is Monday 16th February, 9:00am GMT.

The location of the role is flexible, but the Director of Development must be able to travel to countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and North America as well as work with the Chief Executive currently based in Australia and colleagues in Europe.

A competitive remuneration package will be offered to the successful candidate. This is a full-time position.

Perrett Laver will conduct an executive search process in parallel with the public advertisement of the role. Longlisted candidates will be invited to interview with Perrett Laver in late-February, early-March and the Selection Panel will subsequently meet to decide upon a final shortlist for the post in mid-March following which, interviews with Assemble will take place. If you require any reasonable adjustments to assist you in the selection process, please advise us of these so that we can make appropriate arrangements.

We welcome candidates of all genders and gender identities, nationalities, ethnicities, religions or beliefs, disabilities, ages, and sexual orientations.

To confidentially get in touch about this role, or for advice on your application please email, Caitlin Vopni on caitlin.vopni@perrettlaver.com

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