The client is seeking a Chief Development Officer to lead and grow its principal and major gift fundraising efforts. Working closely with the President and CEO, the Chief Development Officer will play a lead role in elevating individual, corporate, and foundation giving programs, while helping build the organization’s long-term fundraising infrastructure to support sustained success. The role is focused on securing significant leadership gifts in alignment with the client’s fundraising priorities.
The Chief Development Officer will guide overall revenue and capital project fundraising strategy, recruit and help close the most significant gifts, and develop a long-range fundraising program defined by excellence. The position includes responsibility for establishing and managing philanthropy team goals and results, with effective delegation across pipeline management, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The Chief Development Officer will report to the President and CEO and manage three Director/Senior Director roles overseeing external, internal, and special events fundraising functions.
The ideal candidate will be an experienced principal-level fundraiser comfortable working with sophisticated philanthropists and skilled at building and nurturing long-term relationships. This leader should demonstrate strong delegation capacity and exceptional organizational abilities, with a commitment to detail and a culture of supporting others’ success. The role is expected to work effectively alongside a motivated CEO, with a competitive yet empathetic approach that balances urgency with importance, and a servant-leader mindset. A bachelor’s degree is required or equivalent professional or military experience, and the position calls for at least 15 years with a track record securing seven- and eight-figure leadership gifts.