Chief Development Officer

Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc.; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 150,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision insurance

Short-term disability and life保险

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off and federal holidays

Job summary

The Air Force Museum Foundation in Dayton, Ohio seeks an experienced Chief Development Officer to drive its comprehensive fundraising program. You will lead philanthropy growth, donor retention and development team's performance, while working closely with the CEO and Museum leadership to secure six-figure gifts and multi-year commitments.

The role requires strategic fundraising leadership, donor education, and collaboration across departments to advance the Foundation's mission and impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field or experience.
• Progressive fundraising experience with leadership of teams and budgets.
• Proven ability to secure major gifts and multi-year commitments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement annual and multiyear fundraising strategies.
• Set fundraising goals for unrestricted, restricted, capital and endowment support.
• Manage a portfolio of major donors and secure significant gifts.
• Lead planned giving strategies and donor stewardship.
• Oversee donor relations programs including acquisition, renewals and upgrades.
• Direct fundraising appeals via mail, email, digital, and recurring gifts.
• Cultivate corporate sponsors, foundations and institutional donors.
• Lead sponsorship strategies for events and programs.
• Collaborate with Marketing on fundraising communications and impact reporting.
• Oversee revenue forecasting and development budget.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Donor relations

Strategic planning

Communication

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

CFRE certification

Tools

Raiser's Edge NXT

Job description

The Air Force Museum Foundation is seeking an experienced and strategic Chief Development Officer to lead its comprehensive fundraising programme in support of the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. This senior leadership role will drive philanthropic revenue growth, strengthen donor relationships and oversee fundraising initiatives that support the Museum's mission to preserve, educate, inspire and connect audiences with the legacy and future of air and space.

About the role

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) will lead the Foundation's comprehensive fundraising programme and serve on its Leadership Team.

The successful candidate will be responsible for philanthropic revenue growth, donor retention, stewardship and Development team performance.

Working closely with the CEO, Trustees, colleagues and Museum leadership, the CDO will develop compelling funding opportunities and build lasting relationships with donors across the United States.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement annual and multiyear fundraising strategies aligned with the Foundation's mission and strategic priorities.
• Establish fundraising goals and campaign strategies for unrestricted, restricted, capital and endowment support.
• Manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects, securing significant gifts and multiyear commitments.
• Lead planned giving strategies, including legacy giving, donor education and stewardship.
• Oversee the Friends Program and 1923 Society, strengthening donor acquisition, retention, renewals and upgrades.
• Direct annual fundraising appeals across direct mail, email, digital giving, recurring gifts and matching gifts.
• Build relationships with corporate sponsors, foundations and institutional donors.
• Lead sponsorship strategies for Foundation events and programmes, including the After Dark Series and AFMF Speaker Series.
• Collaborate with Marketing to develop compelling fundraising communications, donor stories and impact reports.
• Manage the Development budget, monitor fundraising performance and maintain accurate revenue forecasts.
• Oversee fundraising data, reporting and donor relationship management using Raiser's Edge NXT.
• Recruit, mentor and develop Development staff, establishing clear goals and performance expectations.
• Work collaboratively with the CEO, Trustees, Museum leadership and other departments to advance shared priorities.

Qualifications and experience

Essential requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including five years leading development teams, budgets and comprehensive fundraising programmes.
• Proven success substantially growing annual fundraising campaigns, supported by measurable results.
• Demonstrated experience personally securing major gifts, including six-figure donations and multiyear commitments.
• Experience developing donor retention strategies and coordinating annual giving, major gifts, planned giving and institutional fundraising.
• Strong leadership, financial management and strategic decision-making skills.
• Proficiency with CRM systems and fundraising data analysis.
• Excellent communication, presentation, relationship-building and organisational skills.
• Ability to work effectively with donors, Trustees, senior executives and colleagues.

Desirable qualifications

• Experience managing national donor portfolios, capital campaigns, endowment campaigns and transformational gifts.
• Familiarity with museums, cultural institutions, educational organisations or military heritage organisations.
• Experience using Raiser's Edge NXT.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) qualification or comparable professional development.

Salary and benefits

The position offers an annual salary of $150,000–$170,000, commensurate with experience, with bonus potential of up to 12% of annual salary.

Benefits include:

• Health, dental and vision insurance
• Short-term disability and life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid time off and paid federal holidays
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 100% employer match on contributions up to 5% of employee salary