Chief Development Officer

BlueSteps Connect; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The client is seeking a Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead a comprehensive fundraising program for a nonprofit ballet organization. The CDO will report to the CEO and drive a major-gifts-focused culture, aligning revenue goals with capital, programmatic, and operational needs.

Responsibilities include overseeing a full-service development operation, strategic planning, and strengthening donor relationships through stewardship and communications.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience leading a comprehensive fundraising program in a nonprofit setting.
• Experience with major gifts, annual giving, corporate sponsorships, grants, and special events.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a full-service development operation including individual giving, endowment, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations.
• Manage events, stewardship, development communications, and development services.
• Provide strategic leadership, long-term planning, and active oversight to grow fundraising performance.

Job description

the client is a leading ballet company with a strong tradition and a focus on innovative programming, artist development, and community engagement. the client operates a regional performance ensemble and a school that supports the next generation of performers, while its outreach programs connect diverse audiences to the joy of dance. under the organization's current artistic direction, the company continues to build on its heritage while expanding its contemporary repertoire and commissioning new works.

the client seeks a chief development officer (CDO) who will report to the chief executive officer and serve as the lead executive responsible for growing both individual and institutional support. the CDO will drive an organization-wide, major-gifts-focused fundraising culture and provide strategic leadership, long-term planning, and active oversight to improve fundraising performance and ensure revenue goals align with the organization's capital, programmatic, and operational needs. responsibilities include overseeing a full-service development operation covering individual giving, endowment, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, events and stewardship, development communications, and development services.

the ideal candidate will bring at least 10 years of professional experience leading a comprehensive fundraising program in a nonprofit setting, with exposure to major gifts, annual giving, corporate sponsorships, grants, and special events (preferably in performing arts). the role is expected to include proven capability in setting and executing development strategy, managing complex fundraising portfolios, and strengthening stewardship and communication efforts to build sustained donor relationships.