Chief Development Officer

Job Summary

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) serves as part of the Executive Leadership Team of Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and is responsible for the vision, oversight, and management of all fundraising and resource development strategies. Serving as a thought-partner with executive leadership, the CDO energizes and connects DSF staff; empowers and supports the Board of Directors; mentors, manages, and inspires the Development Department; crafts meaningful donor communications, and informs and engages our community. In the spirit of collaboration and creativity, the CDO leads an energetic and experienced team of fundraising and development professionals toward a goal of identifying, building, and nurturing donor relationships and engagement, and increasing revenue year over year.

Job Responsibilities

Organizational Strategy & Operations

• Participates with the Chief Executive Officer, staff, and governing body to define the organization’s direction, strategy, and operations.
• Provides vital input in short- and long-term strategic and operational planning and positioning within the organization.
• Evaluates the effect of internal and external forces on the organization and its fund development and creates and implements short- and long-range fund development plans and programs that support the organization’s values, mission, and general objectives.
• Remains informed of developments in philanthropy and fund development; informs the Chief Executive Officer, development committee(s), and board on current trends, issues, problems, and activities in order to facilitate policy making.
• Helps develop a balanced funding mix of donor sources and solicitation programs tailored to the needs of the organization.
• Helps establish performance measures, monitors results and helps the Chief Executive Officer, development committee(s), and board evaluate the effectiveness of the organization’s fund development program.
• Works closely with the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Finance and Administrative Officer to relay revenue forecasting and create achievable goals for the organization.

Development Oversight

• Provides general oversight of all the organization’s fund development and manages the day-to-day operations of those functions.
• Assures proper planning including both individual and team goal setting, strategy identification, benchmarking, and evaluation to support fund development.
• Assures sound fiscal operation of development function including timely, accurate, and comprehensive development of charitable contributions income and expense budgets.
• Integrates Development-related communications into overall Development strategy.
• Ensures compliance with all relevant regulations and laws and maintains accountability standards to donors.
• Assures stability by creating a working environment that is rewarding to staff, donors and volunteers.
• Builds cohesion and shared communication practices within the team.
• Work in partnership with all teams within DSF, including program expansion, innovation, and budgeting.

Fund Development

• Designs and assures implementation of cost-effective fund development programs.
• Helps board members, chief executive, other fundraising volunteers, and staff identify, cultivate, and solicit charitable gifts.
• Generates revenue within the CDO individual portfolio of donors, totaling a minimum of $2M in FY25.
• Leads fundraising strategic planning and management.
• Oversees design and maintenance of donor and prospect records, gift management systems, and informational reports.

Management & Human Resources

• Helps the board and development committee(s) determine accountabilities for board members and fundraising volunteers.
• Supervises and establishes personnel accountabilities for development staff.
• Creates, implements, and regularly assesses appropriate meeting structure and schedule.

Board of Directors

• Works with the Chief Executive Officer, development committee chair, and board chair to ensure fulfillment of fund development roles.
• Engages people in process, encourages questioning, and promotes participatory decision making.
• Informs the chief executive and board leadership on the condition of the organization’s fund development program.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Comprehensive management skills and experience.
• Demonstrated experience in managing and implementing a comprehensive fund development program.
• Knowledge and experience in the nature and dimensions of philanthropy.
• Strong management and leadership skills.
• Ability to communicate, collaborate, and work cross-departmentally.
• Dedication to promoting DSF’s fundraising priorities.
• Experience working with all Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, analytical, and organization skills.
• Commitment to the DSF mission.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 10 years of successful executive leadership, fundraising, and management experience.

Compensation & Benefits

• $121,000 to $167,000
• 401(k) plan with $ for $ match of up to 5%
• Group health, dental, and vision insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Paid holidays and Trusted Time Off
• Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave
• Employee Assistance Free and Confidential Counseling Services

Job posting will remain open until 07/30/24 and may be extended if additional time is needed to gather qualified applicants.

Denver Scholarship Foundation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type.