Chief Development Officer

Human Rights Watch, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Human Rights Watch, Inc. seeks a Chief Development Officer to provide strategic vision and senior leadership for fundraising, marketing, and donor and community engagement efforts.

The CDO will guide the development and execution of ambitious fundraising strategies to deepen impact and expand reach. Reporting to the Executive Director and serving on the Executive Committee, the CDO will lead a Development & Outreach team of about 110 staff, ensure alignment with the organization's mission, and

Responsibilities

• Lead a Development & Outreach function of approximately 110 staff across fundraising and donor engagement.
• Develop and execute ambitious fundraising strategies aligned with the mission.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Executive Committee to advance the global human rights agenda.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Donor engagement

Marketing leadership

Strategic planning

Job description

The client is seeking a Chief Development Officer to provide strategic vision and senior leadership for fundraising, marketing, and donor and community engagement efforts. This role will help advance The client’s fundraising strategy and roadmap at a pivotal time, supporting the development and execution of ambitious fundraising, outreach, and constituency-building approaches designed to deepen impact and expand reach. The CDO will be committed to The client’s mission to address human rights abuses, communicate The client’s work effectively, and motivate internal teams and donor communities.

The Chief Development Officer will lead a high-performing Development & Outreach function of approximately 110 staff across areas such as leadership and principal giving, and donor and community engagement activities. The role is expected to strengthen advocacy through thoughtful engagement with key stakeholders and to ensure that fundraising efforts align with The client’s values and mission. The CDO will work collaboratively with senior leadership and will be responsible for driving forward development initiatives that support long-term organizational goals.

The position reports directly to the Executive Director and will serve on The client’s Executive Committee. The client will also benefit from senior leadership that is bold, ambitious, and visionary, harnessing the breadth of organizational talent and helping drive a global movement toward transformative progress. The role is expected to provide fresh thinking and leadership that elevates the power and relevance of human rights in everyday life, connecting legal protections and shared values through effective engagement and outreach.