Chief Development Officer

Chief Development Officer

Freedom House

Washington, DC or New York, NY, United States

POSITION SUMMARY

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) will lead the organization’s efforts to secure the necessary resources for Freedom House to sustain and build upon its role as the leading voice and advocate for democracy and freedom. The CDO will be an effective innovator, diplomat and change agent, working with colleagues to evolve Freedom House’s culture, communications and structures to better facilitate and support a growing base of major donors and foundation supporters. The CDO will establish trusted partnerships with key colleagues to facilitate openness, innovation and experimentation.

In partnership with the President and CEO, the CDO will set strategy and lead implementation for Freedom House’s private development efforts. With a strong emphasis on major donors as well as private foundations, the CDO will develop a strategy, build an effective model for private giving, and lead a team in executing this strategy. This strategy will include engaging new and existing individual donors as well as corporate and foundation partnerships. The CDO, in close coordination with the Communications team and Freedom House experts, will lead the creation and dissemination of compelling fundraising, communications, marketing materials and events to support development goals.

As an external representative for Freedom House, the CDO will be a tireless advocate for the organization’s mission, constantly initiating and nurturing donor relationships. They will be a methodical, highly organized leader with experience building teams that deliver on best-in-class moves management approaches. Working closely with the President, Trustees, and staff, the CDO will act as an ambassador with donors and prospects to engage and solicit financial support.

The CDO will join a Freedom House leadership team that is deeply mission-driven with a culture that is built on strong internal relationships and a collaborative work ethic. As a member of the Executive Team, the CDO will help set strategy for the organization, and secure revenue to support its objectives. The CDO will work to ensure development efforts are tightly aligned with all relevant parts of the organization and the system for raising private funds functions well. The CDO will work closely with the President and the board liaison or other staff designated to handle board relations to develop and execute a cohesive plan for board engagement and development.

Operating mostly in-person, the CDO will lead Freedom House’s Development team, and will partner closely with the senior staff and the Board.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with the President and CEO and senior staff to set organizational strategy to secure funds to support the organization’s goals;
• Actively work with the President and CEO, a committed Board of Directors, and senior staff to develop and implement a comprehensive development strategy for corporate, foundation, and individual donors.[SS1];
• Lead, motivate, and supervise a team of employees in achieving the organization’s fundraising goals. Help build a culture of philanthropy at the organization to engage all staff in support of fundraising to support the organization’s mission;
• Provide expertise and lead team in fundraising operations, including grant writing, prospect research, development and implementation of fundraising initiatives and campaigns, moves management, sophisticated donor communications, management of donor records, production of marketing materials, and analysis and projection of income flows;
• Collaborate with the President and CEO, Board of Trustees and senior staff to develop and implement programmatic, communications and event-related plans to support the fundraising efforts;
• Develop and manage the development department budget.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree required; advanced degree preferred.

Experience:

• Senior experience with 10+ years in nonprofit development including in a senior leadership role;
• Proven, verifiable track record of consistently growing annual revenue through multiple channels including in individual, corporate, government[SS2] , and foundation partnerships;
• Demonstrated capacity and experience in developing and implementing a fundraising plan;
• Experience with national funders and/or fundraising for a national or global organization preferred.

Technical Skills and Abilities:

• Exceptional communications skills; Ability to articulate Freedom House’s mission, with proven ability to write and speak effectively and persuasively;
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Ability to travel as needed, including internationally (approximately 10-15%);
• Ability to cultivate and sustain peer relationships with leading donors;
• Ability to maintain the highest degree of confidentiality and exhibit unquestionable integrity, honesty, and forthrightness;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to create systems that deliver on the highest level of donor communications;
• Ability to successfully work collaboratively with all levels of employees, management, external partners, and funders.

Apply Now