Chief Development Officer

Position Title: Chief Development Officer 

Department: Development 

Reports To: Kathy Colbenson, CEO  

Location:  Main 

Position Type: Full-time 

Travel Required: Up to 15% 

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Budgeted or Non-Budgeted: Budgeted 

Replacement or New: Replacement 

Does growth, autonomy, challenge, and taking charge excite you? If so, keep reading. We are looking for a Chief Development Officer who thrives in a big picture thinking, proactive decision-making role. You must have the ability to motivate a team, maximize productivity, and build strong external relationships.  

This position requires someone who can think and make big decisions independently while still being considerate of others’ input. You must be able to take risks and be responsible for the outcome. If this describes you, please apply at www.CHRIS180.org.   

Position Summary 

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) must be a strategic forward thinker with the social and emotional intelligence necessary to build positive working relationships with a variety of stakeholders, externally and internally.  The CDO must be analytical, organized, data oriented and able to make decisions in a fast-paced environment. The CDO is responsible for the strategy, planning, execution, management and oversight of all fundraising and donor relations activities.  The CDO is responsible for all annual and multi-year fundraising, which includes annual fund, individual and major gifts, institutional giving, capital campaign management, donor relations, planned giving and fundraising events.  The CDO is a member of the executive management and leadership teams and helps guide CHRIS 180’s direction and strategy with a focus on resource development.    

The CDO serves as a key leadership team member and is an active participant in making strategic decisions as a member of the executive management and executive leadership teams. This position is responsible for raising at least $4+ million annually (or 15% of annual budget) in philanthropic and charitable funding.  Toward this end, the CDO designs and implements a comprehensive fundraising plan that cultivates charitable support.   The CDO collaborates with internal and external stakeholders and forges new relationships to advance CHRIS 180’s visibility, impact and financial resources while maintaining and strengthening existing relationships and working closely with the Board of Directors, Advisory Council, Development Committee and the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) to facilitate the fundraising work of the organization’s volunteer leadership.   

Leadership, Strategic and Annual Planning 

• Provides leadership and direction, working collaboratively with organizational leadership to develop the strategies, policies and activities required to raise funds in support of CHRIS 180’s operations.  
• Collaborates with the CEO, board and external resources to identify and implement fundraising projects/initiatives to secure major gifts, planned gifts and gifts to the Sustainability Fund.  
• Directs efforts of the CEO, board members, volunteers and development personnel to research and identify major corporate, foundation and individual donors and oversees and participates in preparation of proposals and presentations.   
• Develops and initiates strategies to secure unrestricted operating funds whenever possible and ensures that all funding is aligned with CHRIS 180’s strategic priorities.   
• Leads research and analysis of data to identify funding trends and to identify, cultivate and steward corporate, individual, civic and foundation giving, including recommending solicitation strategies. 
• Leads and manages all efforts and reporting related to foundations, individuals, corporations and events. 
• Plans and executes on capital/comprehensive campaign. 
• Oversees the development, implementation and coordination of CHRIS 180’s annual development initiatives, controls expenditures and maintains donor financial records according to standards.  
• Oversees and participates in planning, solicitation, logistics and marketing for special events. 
• Oversees the design and development of a comprehensive annual fundraising plan/campaign and the evaluation of results. 
• Oversees the development, effective use and maintenance of a comprehensive donor data base to ensure online giving platforms operate efficiently and effectively for both the donor and CHRIS 180.   
• Oversees the timely and accurate input of all CHRIS 180 charitable revenue into the donor database including but not limited to operational, capital, reserves and sustainability fund.  
• Works in partnership with the CMO to develop and implement a strategic development communications plan to promote major events and initiatives.  
• Works in partnership with the CFO to inform the annual revenue budget and regular projections throughout the year of anticipated donations and pledges to help ensure a solid financial position for CHRIS 180.  

Board 

• Collaborates with the CEO to promote and coordinate board giving, including personal gifts and “give/get” from other sources. 
• Oversees and works with the Board Development committee to develop strategy, to solicit funds and helps the committee with other income development activities.  
• Oversees ad hoc development committees, such as major gifts, planned giving and annual/capital campaigns. 
• Encourages and supports the Board Development committee to plan, implement and evaluate long-term development activities. 
• Provides staff support and participates in planning for new board member orientation, the annual board retreat and the board development committee. 
• Works with the CFO to provide accurate and timely information to the Finance committee on revenue projections, timing and possible surpluses/shortfalls for all charitable funds (operations, capital, reserves). 

Budget 

• Develops, implements and controls department budgets and ensures staff understand and adhere to the budget and budget guidelines. 

Department Management 

• Identifies, hires, develops, mentors and evaluates the six person development team.  
• Manages and coaches a six person development team, monitoring progress toward goals 
• Fosters a culture of collaboration and inclusion. 
• Maintains regular 1-on-1 and team meetings and provides regular feedback on performance.   

Performance and Conduct 

• Maintains confidentiality of client information. 
• Maintains appropriate professional boundaries. 
• Follows the CHRIS 180 Values and Code of Ethics. 
• Supports and maintain an environment of emotional and physical safety for clients, staff and other stakeholders at all times. 

Customer Service 

• Promotes positive image of CHRIS 180 programs at all times. 
• Works as a contributing and collaborative team member. 
• Responds to client and peer needs in a timely fashion. 
• Answers telephone calls and emails in a timely manner. 
• Responds to requests for information from stakeholders in a timely fashion. 

Maintain Personal Information and Training 

• Attend and participate in staff meetings as scheduled. 
• Attend and participate in required trainings as scheduled. 
• Maintain required certifications. 
• Review, understand and be responsible to, and for, program policies. 
• Provide documents in a timely fashion to Human Resources. 
• Report changes in status to HR as required by policy. 

Attributes of the Successful Candidate 

• High energy and passion for CHRIS 180 mission. 
• Ability to construct, articulate, and implement strategic development plans and budgets. 
• High initiative. 
• Organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail. 
• Customer-focused attitude. 
• A professional and resourceful style. 
• Ability to manage multiple projects & tasks at a time. 

QUALIFICATIONS/COMPETENCIES 

• 10+ years of professional experience in a nonprofit organization. 
• Strong management experience, preferably with at least 5+ years of leading teams that have met or exceeded their goals. 
• Demonstrated track record of success in a development/fundraising function, including long-term relationship management, annual and capital campaign experience. 
• Meaningful experience strategizing, cultivating, securing and stewarding 6–7 figure gifts.  
• Demonstrated track record of successful planning, budgeting and staff management. 
• Persuasive with excellent communication skills, both written and oral. 
• Ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and stakeholders. 
• Confident, effective communicator with public speaking experience and excellent presentation skills. 
• Strong organizational skills. 
• Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives. 
• Ability to work both independently without close oversight and be a team player who productively engages with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside of CHRIS 180. 
• Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s Degree or equivalent preferred. 

Schedule 

This is a full-time position and typically works Monday – Friday 9:00am – 6:00pm but requires flexibility. 

Travel 

 Up to 15% 

Employment Status 

Full-time, Exempt 

Reports to 

Chief Executive Officer 

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.