Chief Development Officer

Korn Ferry; Toronto; Remote; CAD 270,000 - 330,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent nonprofit organization is seeking a Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead revenue generation and partnership development. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in strategic roles within the technology or innovation sector. Responsibilities include developing sales strategies, managing investor relationships, and ensuring compliance with nonprofit regulations. This executive role offers remote work with required travel to key cities, fostering collaborative innovation across sectors.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in sales, business, corporate or fund development roles.
• Experience in the technology or innovation sector is preferred.
• Ability to collaborate and influence diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sales strategies aligned with the organization’s mission.
• Cultivate relationships with major investors.
• Build and manage a high-performing development team.
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit regulations and best practices.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Sales strategy development

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or related field

MBA preferred

Job description

This range is provided by Korn Ferry. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

CA$300,000.00/yr - CA$300,000.00/yr

POSITION OVERVIEW

Korn Ferry is pleased to partner with our client in the search for a Chief Development Officer (CDO). Our client is a rapidly growing, government‑funded nonprofit organization headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, dedicated to addressing complex societal and industry challenges through the advancement of Canadian‑developed digital solutions. By convening and supporting a broad network of cross‑sector partners, the organization enables collaborative innovation that delivers impact well beyond the capacity of any single institution.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and working closely with the Board of Directors, the CDO will lead the organization’s revenue generation, partnership development, and long‑term sustainability efforts. This includes securing and stewarding financial resources, diversifying funding streams, and strengthening relationships with government, industry, academic, and community stakeholders.

As a key member of the executive team, the CDO provides strategic leadership across development, revenue strategy, stakeholder engagement, team management, financial planning, and compliance. The ideal candidate brings senior experience in development or strategic partnerships within the technology, innovation, or public‑purpose sectors, along with a strong commitment to mission‑driven impact.

• LOCATION: Remote with travel to Vancouver, Toronto, and Ottawa
• POSITION TYPE: Ongoing contract (1 to 3 years).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Sales Planning

• Develop and implement a comprehensive sales strategy aligned with the organization’s mission and strategic goals.
• Identify and prioritize funding and revenue opportunities.
• Identify growth opportunities and innovative strategies to advance the organization’s impact on the technology sector.
• Lead the creation and execution of fundraising campaigns and initiatives.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with major investors. Work closely with the CEO on developing the opportunity pipeline for investors.
• Oversee the preparation of proposals, reports, and other documentation required for funding.

Partnership Development

• Form and nurture strategic partnerships with tech companies, startups, and related organizations.
• Build and maintain networks with tech industry leaders and innovation hubs to stay abreast of new opportunities and trends.

Team Management

• Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing development team.
• Foster a collaborative and results-oriented team environment.
• Provide training and support for staff and volunteers involved in development activities.

Financial Management and Reporting

• Collaborate with the finance team to set sales targets and fundraising goals and track progress.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of development activities and outcomes.
• Analyze revenue and fundraising data and trends to inform strategy and decision making.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with nonprofit regulations, ethical standards, and best practices in corporate governance.
• Mitigate risks associated with partnerships, fundraising activities, and program implementation.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or related field; MBA preferred.
• Proven experience (10+ years) in sales, business, corporate or fund development roles, preferably in the technology and innovation sector, the resource sector, an industry association or membership-based organization, ideally with a focus on national public policy in Canada.
• Leadership in business development and partnership evaluation.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex financial data to inform decision-making.
• Exposure to the technology and innovation sector and strong network is an asset.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills with the ability to collaborate with peers as well as engage and influence diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities in a dynamic environment.

Seniority level

Executive

Employment type

Contract

Job function

Non-profit Organizations