Chief Development Officer

Encircle; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Encircle, a Utah-based nonprofit, seeks a Chief Development Officer to lead and grow fundraising. You will own the major gifts pipeline, manage a lean Development team, and collaborate with the CEO to shape long-term strategies.

The role requires 7+ years in fundraising, success closing six- and seven-figure gifts, and deep donor relationship skills. You will expand partnerships with foundations, corporations, and high-capacity supporters while ensuring data-driven performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 7+ years in fundraising with major gifts responsibility.
• Proven success cultivating and closing six- and seven-figure gifts.
• Experience managing a major donor portfolio with multi-million revenue.
• Strong research skills using public tax filings and wealth indicators.
• Experience with fundraising databases, CRM, and online giving platforms.
• Ability to set strategy and execute tactically, with data-driven improvements.
• Excellent relationship-building and communication with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience engaging Board and volunteers in fundraising.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute Encircle's fundraising strategy.
• Own and grow a major donor portfolio targeting multi-million annual revenue.
• Lead and mentor the Development Manager and future team.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Finance, and leadership to advance funding.

Skills

Major gifts fundraising

Donor relations

Strategic planning

Leadership

Public speaking

Data-driven fundraising

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience

Tools

CRM systems

Online giving platforms

Grant management software

Job description

Company Description:

Encircle is a nonprofit, Utah-based organization dedicated to providing life-affirming therapy, programs, and services to LGBTQ+ young people and their families. Through supportive homes and community-based resources, Encircle works to reduce youth suicide, strengthen family relationships, and promote mental health and well-being. The organization collaborates with mental health professionals, educators, and community partners to create safe, inclusive environments where LGBTQ+ youth can thrive. Encircle is committed to evidence-informed practices, compassion, and advocacy, offering structured programming and counseling tailored to the unique needs of each young person and their support network. Come work in one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, with a thriving business and philanthropic community, and easy access to world-class outdoor recreation.

Role Description:

Encircle is seeking an experienced, strategic, and hands-on Chief Development Officer to lead and grow our fundraising efforts. The CDO will be responsible for developing and executing the fundraising strategy. Within that broader goal, the CDO will personally own and grow a portfolio of major and principal donors expected to generate $3 million in annual philanthropic revenue.

Working directly with the CEO, the CDO will build on Encircle's strong existing donor base by taking ownership of key donor relationships, deepening those partnerships, and developing new relationships with major and principal donors. The CDO will shape Encircle's long-term fundraising strategy, expand the major-gift pipeline, and partner closely with Marketing, Finance, the Board, and organizational leadership.

The CDO will initially lead a lean Development team, directly managing Encircle's Development Manager, who oversees grants and supports development operations. As fundraising grows and performance goals are achieved, the CDO will have the opportunity to design and build the Development team and infrastructure needed to support Encircle's next stage of growth.

This is a highly hands-on leadership role for someone equally comfortable setting strategy and doing the work required to achieve it. The ideal candidate can move seamlessly between developing a multi-year revenue strategy, sitting across the table from a major donor, analyzing pipeline performance, strengthening fundraising systems, and building organizational fundraising capacity.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience
• 7+ years of progressively responsible fundraising or development experience, including significant responsibility for major gifts
• Demonstrated success personally cultivating, soliciting, and closing six- and seven-figure gifts
• Experience managing a major donor portfolio representing several million dollars in annual philanthropic revenue
• Strong experience identifying and researching high-capacity donor prospects using public tax filings, wealth indicators, philanthropic giving history, and other publicly available information
• Experience using fundraising databases, CRM systems, and online giving platforms to manage donor relationships, pipelines, and fundraising performance
• Proven ability to develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies, establish measurable goals, and use data to improve performance
• A hands-on, entrepreneurial approach to development and a willingness to operate both strategically and tactically
• Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills, with the ability to engage major donors, corporate leaders, foundations, Board members, volunteers, and community partners
• Experience effectively engaging Board members and other volunteer leaders in fundraising
• Strong public speaking, presentation, and executive communication skills
• Deep alignment with Encircle's mission and commitment to creating welcoming and supportive communities for LGBTQ+ youth and families

Strongly Preferred

• Knowledge of Utah's philanthropic community and demonstrated ability to build relationships with major donors, family foundations, corporate leaders, and other high-capacity supporters
• An established network within Utah's philanthropic or business community