Chief Development Officer

ROME GROUP; St. Louis (MO); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

The Women’s Safe House in St. Louis is seeking a seasoned Chief Development Officer to lead fundraising, donor relations, and nonprofit strategy. You will guide the Development Department, partner with the CEO and Board, and expand community partnerships to support survivors in the St.

Louis region. The role requires five years of fundraising experience with at least three in leadership, a bachelor’s degree, and knowledge of CRM systems.

Qualifications

• Five+ years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, or advancement with at least three years in leadership or supervisory roles.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and executive fundraising experience is required.
• CFRE, graduate education, major campaign experience, and Raiser’s Edge experience are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead a comprehensive development strategy including individual and corporate giving, major gifts, foundations, planned giving, sponsorships, campaigns, and events.
• Oversee donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and retention while expanding philanthropic support.
• Provide strategic oversight of marketing, communications, brand, volunteer engagement, and community outreach.
• Build relationships with CEO, Board, donors, partners, and community leaders to diversify and grow resources.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Donor relations

Strategic planning

Nonprofit leadership

Board collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

CFRE preferred

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

CRM systems

Job description

Chief Development Officer

The Women’s Safe House | St. Louis, Missouri

Full-Time | Hybrid Eligible | $85,000–$97,000

The Women’s Safe House (TWSH) is seeking an experienced and relationship-driven Chief Development Officer to lead the organization’s fundraising and philanthropic strategy and help strengthen the resources and community partnerships that make our mission possible.

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CDO will lead the Development Department and work closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, donors, corporate and foundation partners, volunteers, and community leaders. This is an opportunity for an experienced development professional to shape fundraising strategy, deepen philanthropic relationships, expand TWSH’s visibility, and help build sustainable support for an organization serving survivors throughout the St. Louis region.

The CDO will lead a comprehensive development strategy encompassing individual and corporate giving, major gifts, foundations, planned and monthly giving, sponsorships, campaigns, and fundraising events. The role will guide donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and retention while identifying new opportunities to diversify and grow philanthropic support.

Beyond fundraising, the CDO provides strategic oversight of TWSH’s marketing, communications, brand, volunteer engagement, and community outreach efforts. The CDO will partner with the CEO and Board on fundraising and donor engagement, represent TWSH throughout the community, and build meaningful relationships with businesses, foundations, civic organizations, and other community partners.

The CDO will also provide leadership and direction to the Development Department, establishing priorities and goals, developing staff, overseeing fundraising systems and performance, and ensuring the department’s work remains collaborative, accountable, and aligned with organizational priorities.

The ideal candidate

will bring at least five years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, philanthropy, donor relations, or advancement, along with at least three years of leadership or supervisory experience. Successful candidates will have demonstrated experience developing fundraising strategies, building strong donor and community relationships, partnering with executive leadership and Boards, and using fundraising data and CRM systems to drive results. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and executive fundraising experience is required. CFRE, graduate education, major campaign experience, and Raiser’s Edge experience are preferred.

This is a full-time, hybrid-eligible position based in St. Louis and requires local travel and occasional evening and weekend availability. The salary range is $85,000–$97,000 annualy, with placement based on experience, qualifications, and demonstrated fundraising leadership.

About The Women’s Safe House:

TWSH empowers women and families to rebuild their lives free of domestic and sexual abuse through emergency services, education, and advocacy. As a 24-hour confidential shelter, we are committed to trauma-informed, survivor-centered services that promote safety, dignity, healing, and long-term stability.

Join us in building the relationships, resources, and community support that help survivors move toward safer futures.

The Women’s Safe House is an Equal Opportunity Employer.