Chief Development Officer

The Zekelman Holocaust Center; Farmington Hills (MI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401K matching

Generous holiday schedule

Job summary

The Zekelman Holocaust Center in Farmington Hills, MI is seeking a results-driven Chief Development Officer to lead our fundraising strategy, oversee all revenue streams, and drive major gifts with the CEO and leadership team.

You will manage a Development team, build donor relationships, plan campaigns and events, ensure compliant, ethical fundraising, and work to diversify support from foundations, corporations, individuals, and online giving.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of fundraising and development experience with leadership responsibilities.
• Proven track record of soliciting and closing six‑figure gifts.
• Experience implementing comprehensive fundraising strategies across multiple revenue streams.

Responsibilities

• Be active in planning and executing major fundraising initiatives and campaigns.
• Lead development team operations to meet annual revenue targets.
• Build donor relationships and represent the center at events and programs.
• Guide grant strategy, donor stewardship, and reporting with the CEO.
• Develop and implement a long‑term development plan diversifying funding sources.
• Set metrics, improve processes, and share best practices across the department.
• Oversee Gala planning and execution and ensure donor engagement.

Skills

Strategic mindset

Drive vision

Stakeholder focus

Interpersonal savvy

Instills trust

Job description

Summary of Responsibilities

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is responsible for leading and executing the organization’s comprehensive fundraising strategy. This role oversees all philanthropic revenue streams—including individual giving, major gifts, corporate and foundation grants, planned giving, annual fundraising campaigns, special events, and donor stewardship. The CDO plays a crucial leadership role with an exceptionally invested and generous community of donors and staff. They will enhance the development strategy and lead the day-to-day operations of the development team. They need to lead by example by personally driving major and leadership‑level gift solicitations while also training, inspiring, supporting, and bringing cohesion to an evolving Development team. They will foster collaboration, maintain a positive, productive work environment and ensure the team has the resources and guidance needed to succeed.

Description

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is responsible for leading and executing the organization’s comprehensive fundraising strategy. This role oversees all philanthropic revenue streams—including individual giving, major gifts, corporate and foundation grants, planned giving, annual fundraising campaigns, special events, and donor stewardship. The CDO plays a crucial leadership role with an exceptionally invested and generous community of donors and staff. They will enhance the development strategy and lead the day-to-day operations of the development team. They need to lead by example by personally driving major and leadership‑level gift solicitations while also training, inspiring, supporting, and bringing cohesion to an evolving Development team. They will foster collaboration, maintain a positive, productive work environment and ensure the team has the resources and guidance needed to succeed.

Who We Are

The Zekelman Holocaust Center (The HC) was founded by Michigan survivors in 1984 as a lasting memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. Our mission is to engage, educate, and empower through remembrance so that individuals and society will recognize, combat, and prevent antisemitism, discrimination, and hate-based violence. The Center teaches history’s darkest period to 100,000 visitors each year, including students and adults of all backgrounds. Our new permanent exhibit places Holocaust victim and survivor stories at the center, making extensive use of archival footage, images and video testimony. Artifacts include an authentic WWII-era boxcar and a sapling from the tree located outside Anne Frank’s hiding place window. The Center also invites the public to make use of its 20,000 volume Library Archive. Museum Educators and Docents provide customized tours, workshops and programs, empowering visitors to apply the lessons of the Holocaust to create a more compassionate world where people take responsible action. The HC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We value candidates who are community-oriented and civic-minded, and who demonstrate a commitment to serving others.

Why Join Us

First and foremost, you will be making a difference in the world. Benefits include tremendous work/life balance, medical/dental/vision insurance, organization‑matching 401K, generous holiday schedule, and much more.

Responsibilities

• Be an active participant in the planning and execution of the $100M capital campaign ($60M is already solidified)
• Build relationships with existing donors, and be present at events and programs throughout the year
• Serve as a key member of the leadership team, contributing to organizational decision‑making.

Leadership and Strategy

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the Development team to meet or exceed annual revenue targets.
• In partnership with the CEO, lead efforts to identify and secure new major individual donors at the seven‑figure level.
• Guide the Major Gift Officers in donor and partner cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to raise the remaining balance toward the capital campaign goal.
• Lead the team in developing a fundraising plan that allows for new donor development, increased annual donor support, stewardship of donors and securing of long‑term commitments.
• Develop a comprehensive development strategy, including annual and longer‑term revenue goals and plans to diversify and increase organizational budget from foundation and individual donors (major donor, smaller‑level donors, online, etc.), as well as other appropriate sources such as corporate sponsorships.
• Establish performance metrics, improve processes, and cascade fundraising best practices across the department.
• Guide foundation and government grant strategy, including working closely with grant writers on proposal development, relationship management, and reporting.
• Ensure a high‑quality donor experience through effective stewardship, recognition, and relationship‑building practices.

Note: A separate Director of Development, reporting to the CEO, is dedicated exclusively to a small number of $1M+ donor relationships tied to the comprehensive campaign. (That role operates independently and does not oversee or manage Development department staff or operations.)

Gala Planning & Execution

• Lead the efforts of the planning, coordination, engagement, fundraising and execution of all aspects of the annual Gala. Currently, over 1200 people attend.
• Work closely with the Senior Event Manager to oversee all aspects of the evening.
• Work closely with the Major Gift Officers to ensure comprehensive outreach to all Gala donors and prospects, with a focus on maximizing attendance, sponsorships, and giving opportunities throughout the event cycle.

Staff Management & Organizational Culture

• Manage a team of 11 development/marketing professionals, including seven direct reports, and ensure alignment between fundraising, marketing/communications, and organizational priorities.
• Recruit, train, inspire, and manage staff, creating a dynamic, effective, and integrated Development team.
• Develop clearly defined expectations, processes, systems, metrics, and performance measures to foster an environment of achievement and to ensure staff accountability for excellence.
• Ensure compliance with ethical fundraising standards and donor confidentiality requirements.

Requirements

Desired Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strategic Mindset - Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.
• Drive Vision and Purpose - Paints a compelling picture of a vision and strategy that motivates others to action
• Stakeholder Focus - Building strong stakeholder relationships and delivering targeted solutions
• Interpersonal Savvy - Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people
• Instills Trust - Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity

Preferred Qualifications

• The Chief Development Officer will ideally have 15+years of fundraising and development experience with at least five years in a leadership role overseeing operational and performance outcomes.
• A successful track record of soliciting and closing six‑figure gifts.
• Demonstrated success in implementing comprehensive fundraising strategies that include major and principal giving and foundation support, resulting in a significant increase in resource development and overall funding levels.
• Proven ability to effectively motivate, manage and lead cross‑functional development team with a coaching mindset, fostering a collaborative and high‑performing work environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively and harmoniously with the senior leadership team, fostering an environment of open communication, trust, and shared goals.
• A motivational communicator, both written and verbal, who is effective in 1‑on‑1 and group settings, as well as equally engaging with internal and external audiences.
• Knowledge of trends in prospect identification, donor relationships, and research.
• Experience developing and managing budgets.
• A passion for Jewish community and Holocaust remembrance.
• A strong work ethic, including the ability to work efficiently under pressure; meet deadlines; demonstrate strategic thinking and good decision‑making; maintain and model high personal, ethical, and professional standards; and preserve an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Excellent people skills. Possessing a warm, honest, and fair approach to dealing with others, including both direct reports and donors.
• Ability to interact and engage comfortably with a variety of key constituencies
• A flexible self‑starter with proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and responsibilities.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities, proposing new ways of creating efficiencies, and guiding investment in people and systems.
• Personal qualities of integrity, empathy, credibility, and aligned to The HC’s values and mission. Computer literacy in Microsoft Office and comfortable learning other apps, platforms, and systems that are utilized at The HC.

The HC has a fully onsite work environment, with flexibility for personal matters which arise on occasion.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and levels of work to be performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties.

The HC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.