Chief Development Officer

JOB TITLE: Chief Development Officer (CDO)
EMPLOYER: Boys & Girls Club of Lake County (BGCLC)
DEPARTMENT: Development
REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

SALARY RANGE: $90,000-$110,000 annually (DOE)

SUMMARY:

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is a senior leadership position responsible for leading and executing the Boys & Girls Club of Lake County's (BGCLC) comprehensive fundraising strategy to support the organization's mission and strategic goals. This role is instrumental in developing sustainable revenue streams, overseeing major gift campaigns, corporate partnerships, and capital campaigns, while working closely with the CEO, senior leadership, and the Board of Directors to ensure alignment with BGCLC's vision. The CDO is also responsible for maintaining a transparent relationship with donors and overseeing the growth of the development team.

LEADERSHIP & STRATEGY:

• Lead the development and execution of a multi-year fundraising strategy to support BGCLC's strategic priorities and long-term financial goals.
• Collaborate with the CEO, senior leadership, and the Board of Directors to ensure fundraising efforts align with organizational priorities.
• Provide guidance and expertise to the Board on best practices for donor engagement and major gift cultivation.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with community leaders, corporations, foundations, and key stakeholders to create collaborative funding opportunities.
• Lead and mentor a team of fundraising professionals, providing coaching, support, and development opportunities.
• Foster a high-performance culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability within the development team.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the CEO to support BGCLC's evolving needs and strategic objectives.

FUNDRAISING:

• Design and implement innovative fundraising initiatives, including major donor cultivation, corporate partnerships, planned giving, and creative revenue-generation strategies.
• Oversee the planning and execution of capital campaigns, endowment campaigns, and other high-profile fundraising initiatives.
• Identify, cultivate, and secure six-figure+ gifts from high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and corporations.
• Manage campaign strategy, communications, and execution to meet fundraising goals.
• Ensure transparent donor stewardship by regularly updating them on the impact of their gifts.
• Oversee the identification, submission, and management of grants from foundations, corporations, and government entities.
• Partner with the finance team to ensure accurate financial reporting and compliance with donor restrictions.
• Lead the planning and execution of major fundraising events such as donor galas and community outreach events.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Directly supervises the Senior Development Manager and the Development Consultant.
• Provides leadership, coaching, and development opportunities to team members to foster professional growth and success.
• Sets performance goals, evaluates progress, and holds the team accountable for achieving fundraising objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 5-10 years of progressive experience in fundraising, with a proven track record of managing a fundraising team.
• Significant experience managing high-profile fundraising campaigns.
• Strong understanding of donor management systems (CRM) and data-driven fundraising strategies.
• Expertise in major gift solicitation, corporate partnerships, planned giving, and donor stewardship.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse stakeholders.
• Experience working with a Board of Directors and senior leadership to align fundraising goals with organizational strategy.
• Knowledge of relevant fundraising regulations and best practices in the nonprofit sector.
• Bachelor's degree required. CFRE preferred.
• A relevant combination of education and experience will be considered.

COMPETENCIES:

• Leadership: Inspires and motivates others to perform well; provides vision and guidance; fosters collaboration within the team.
• Strategic Thinking: Develops and implements strategies to achieve long-term goals; adapts strategy based on emerging opportunities and challenges.
• Communication: Communicates clearly and persuasively, both verbally and in writing; listens actively and addresses concerns effectively.
• Innovation: Continuously develops new ideas for fundraising and organizational growth; encourages creative problem-solving.
• Managing People: Leads by example, encouraging growth and development; fosters a collaborative, high-performance culture.
• Ethics: Demonstrates integrity and ethical conduct in all dealings; ensures transparency and accountability in fundraising practices.
• Diversity: Promotes a diverse and inclusive environment; demonstrates respect and sensitivity for cultural differences.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. for event setup and other activities.
• Occasional travel required for donor meetings, events, and site visits.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Office environment with regular use of computers and communication devices.
• Willingness to travel for external fundraising events and donor meetings.