Jobs in United States

Chief Development Officer

The Trustees of Reservations is seeking an exceptional leader for the role of Chief Development Officer (CDO). The role reports to the President & CEO and provides strategic leadership on development activities with an emphasis on building enduring partnerships.

The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation’s premier conservation and preservation organization. Founded in 1891, The Trustees’ mission is to protect special places across Massachusetts for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity. The organization has helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. The portfolio includes seashore, woodlands, farmlands, gardens, and art and historical museums. The Trustees engages communities through programs and partnerships across the state.

The organization is committed to DBIE and aims to create inclusive spaces of belonging for staff, members, volunteers, and communities. This is a long-term commitment requiring continuous learning and improvement.

The CDO will lead development activities across areas including:

• Annual Fund
• Major Donors
• Corporate
• Foundation
• Public and Institutional Giving
• Legacy and Planned Gifts
• Governance
• Strategic Plan and Campaigns

Following a period of rapid growth and a successful 5-year, $217 million campaign, The Trustees seek to continue building out the leadership team. The CDO will diversify and increase the organization’s broad base of support across all philanthropic areas, lead donor engagement, and foster an organization-wide culture of philanthropy.

In FY 2023, the Development Team raised $45,111,101, including:

• Annual Fund: $5,287,875
• Additional Operating: $1,878,870
• Events: $1,345,025
• Planned Gifts: $8,613,046
• Capital Projects: $17,996,434
• Restricted Gifts: $9,989,851

The CDO will manage an overall staff of approximately 22, with the following direct reports:

• Director Annual Fund
• Director Governance and Signature Events
• MD Institutional Development
• MD Philanthropy Arts and Culture
• Senior Director Individual Giving

The CDO will manage the Development Team to create and promote effective cultivation and solicitation opportunities involving the CEO, senior leadership, Board, and other governance leaders. They will prioritize building strong relationships with prospective and current donors and oversee a multi-year campaign strategy.

• Provide rigorous major donor prospect identification
• Ensure high-quality stewardship of donors and coordinate with colleagues
• Lead fundraising plans for a future comprehensive capital campaign and related initiatives
• Create a strategic plan for events and constituency engagement that aligns with major gift strategies
• Promote understanding of The Trustees’ programmatic campaigns and priorities
• Coordinate messaging across fundraising and direct marketing channels
• Work with Finance to ensure compliant gift processing and multi-year endowment reporting
• Regularly report on fundraising targets and forecasts
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications for integrated external engagement

The CDO will oversee hiring, training, mentoring, professional development, and evaluation of the development staff. They will:

• Set annual production goals and monitor progress to maximize performance
• Oversee technology and CRM utilization to support fundraising operations

The ideal CDO will have outstanding written and verbal communication skills and strong collaboration ability. They will:

• Prepare detailed reports and analyses for the CEO and board as appropriate
• Collaborate with the CFO to establish and monitor fundraising benchmarks
• Analyze development activities and benchmark against peers
• Travel as needed to support priorities

The CDO will promote diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels of the organization and in all Development programs. They will partner with the CEO on Board engagement and work with governance committees as needed.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $280,000 - $340,000 with a generous benefits package.

Maureen Alphonse-Charles and Shelby Woods of Koya Partners are exclusively retained for this search. To express interest, please submit your materials by the indicated date. All inquiries will be treated confidentially. Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance, please email the provided address.

The Trustees is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on protected status. We encourage applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ applicants. Our commitment to this work is described here.

Koya Partners, a Diversified Search Group company, focuses on mission-driven leadership and works with nonprofits, NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises. Diversified Search Group is recognized by Forbes for top executive recruiting and emphasizes inclusive leadership and equitable teams. Learn more via the provided link.