Chief Development Officer

Austin Community College; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Massachusetts seeks a Chief Development Officer (CDO) to join their senior leadership team. This role will lead a multi-channel fundraising program to advance their mission and values. The ideal candidate will have extensive fundraising experience, strong leadership capabilities, and a commitment to community engagement. Key responsibilities include designing fundraising strategies, managing donor relations, and overseeing a development team to achieve impactful results.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive fundraising experience, including major gifts and campaign leadership.
• Proven success securing six- and seven-figure gifts from individuals and institutions.
• Experience leading and growing a development team.
• Familiarity with the Massachusetts philanthropic landscape is a plus.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of fundraising compliance and ethical practices.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with mission and goals.
• Lead and oversee all aspects of development, including major gifts, events, and campaigns.
• Personally manage a portfolio of major donors, including six- and seven-figure prospects.
• Hire, mentor, and support a growing development team.
• Ensure compliance with fundraising laws and ethical standards.
• Represent the organization at donor meetings and public engagements.
• Oversee development operations, CRM/database management, reporting, and budget oversight.
• Represent the organization at donor meetings, events, and public engagements.

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Team collaboration

Donor management systems proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree

Tools

CRM/database management systems

Job description

Chief Development Officer (CDO)

Are you a strategic, mission‑driven leader passionate about advancing equity and impact through philanthropy? We’re seeking a Chief Development Officer (CDO) to join our senior leadership team and lead a dynamic, multi‑channel fundraising program that fuels our organization’s vision and values.

As CDO, you will shape and execute a comprehensive development strategy, cultivate meaningful donor relationships, and foster a collaborative, high‑performing team culture. This is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting difference in a values‑driven organization committed to inclusion, innovation, and community engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement a multi‑year fundraising strategy aligned with our mission and strategic goals.
• Lead and oversee all aspects of development, including:
  • Major gifts
  • Annual giving
  • Institutional giving (corporate and foundation)
  • Planned giving
  • Events
  • Direct mail and digital campaigns
  • Donor stewardship and recognition
• Personally manage a portfolio of major donors, including six‑ and seven‑figure prospects.
• Hire, mentor, and support a growing development team, fostering a culture of collaboration, learning, and belonging.
• Partner with the Board of Directors, Development Committee, and senior leadership to advance fundraising goals.
• Ensure compliance with fundraising laws, donor privacy, and ethical standards.
• Oversee development operations, including CRM/database management, reporting, and budget oversight.
• Represent the organization at donor meetings, events, and public engagements.
• Serve as the primary liaison with Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and the DOC Community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive fundraising experience, including major gifts and campaign leadership.
• Proven success securing six- and seven-figure gifts from individuals and institutions.
• Experience leading and growing a development team.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and with executive leadership and board members.
• Knowledge of fundraising compliance and ethical practices.
• Proficiency with donor management systems and fundraising analytics.
• Experience in mission-driven or nonprofit organizations.
• Familiarity with the Massachusetts philanthropic landscape is a plus.
• Experience launching new fundraising initiatives and campaigns.