The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is a strategic and execution-driven fundraising leader responsible for building and leading a high-performing development function that fuels the growth and long-term sustainability of The Center. This role requires a proven fundraising executive who brings an established portfolio of philanthropic relationships and the ability to activate networks in support of bold fundraising goals.
Working closely with the CEO and Board of Directors, the CDO will architect and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy spanning major gifts, foundations, corporate partnerships, and government support, while personally leading high-level donor cultivation and solicitations. The CDO will drive philanthropic revenue, expand the organization’s donor ecosystem, and help position The Center as a transformational force for creativity and innovation in South Florida and beyond.
Success in this role requires both strategic vision and operational discipline, the ability to design bold fundraising strategies while ensuring they are executed with rigor, accountability, and measurable results.
Duties / Responsibilities:
Strategy & Leadership
- Strategic Fundraising Leadership: Lead a comprehensive, multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with the organization’s mission, growth trajectory, and capital ambitions. Set clear annual and long-term revenue targets across all funding streams and identify new philanthropic opportunities and innovative funding models.
- Strategy Execution & Accountability: Translate strategy into actionable development plans, timelines, and accountability structures that drive consistent progress toward revenue goals.
- Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop the development team, fostering a culture that is entrepreneurial, collaborative, and results-driven.
Donor Engagement & Portfolio Management
- Major Donor Portfolio: Bring and actively cultivate a portfolio of high-capacity philanthropic relationships while expanding the pipeline and advancing major prospects capable of seven to nine-figure investments.
- Donor Relationship Management: Serve as a primary relationship manager for key donors and partners, building trusted relationships that deepen long-term engagement, philanthropic investment, and stewardship.
- Donor Communications: Oversee donor communications in partnership with marketing to ensure messaging is compelling, consistent, and mission-aligned.
Leadership & Board Partnership
- CEO Partnership: Work closely with the CEO to advance high-level fundraising priorities, major gift opportunities, and key donor engagements.
- Board Engagement & Activation: Equip and activate the Board of Directors as philanthropic donors themselves as well as ambassadors by identifying opportunities within their networks, preparing them for donor conversations, and supporting their meaningful participation in fundraising efforts.
- Transformational Partnerships: Collaborate with the CEO and Board to pursue major gift strategies, naming opportunities, and transformational philanthropic partnerships.
- Development Committee Meetings: Lead the preparation and execution of the Board’s Development Committee Meetings by working closely with the Development Committee Chair to develop each meeting’s agenda, prepare for the meeting, and help lead the meeting to develop strategies and momentum for the Committee in supporting the organization’s fundraising objectives.
Infrastructure & Performance
- Development Infrastructure: Build and strengthen the systems, processes, and tools that improve donor engagement, increase philanthropic conversion, and support sustained fundraising growth.
- Analytics & Performance Measurement: Leverage data to inform strategy, forecast revenue, and monitor pipeline performance through clearly defined key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Reporting & Financial Accountability: Provide regular, transparent reporting to the CEO and Board while ensuring the development function operates with strong fiscal discipline.
Collaboration & Innovation
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner across executive leadership, marketing, programming, finance, and operations to ensure fundraising strategies align with organizational priorities and programmatic opportunities.
- Philanthropic Innovation: Stay ahead of emerging trends, emerging funding models, and donor engagement innovations to strengthen the organization’s ability to inspire investment and expand its community of supporters.
Education and Experience:
- 10+ years of progressive nonprofit fundraising leadership experience, including senior development leadership roles
- Demonstrated success securing seven- and eight-figure philanthropic investments
- Proven experience managing and growing major gift portfolios
- Experience working closely with CEOs, boards, and high-net-worth donors
- Experience building or scaling fundraising operations in growth-stage organizations strongly preferred
- Experience developing and executing capital campaigns strongly preferred
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
- Travel: Some evening/weekend work and a valid driver's license required.
What We Offer:
- Dynamic Work Environment: Join a passionate, creative team committed to redefining what’s possible through curiosity, creativity, and confidence.
- Professional Growth: Opportunities for continued learning, leadership development, and career advancement.
- Impactful Projects: Contribute to a once-in-a-generation initiative with the power to shape creative culture and community for decades to come.
- Energizing Culture: Work alongside imaginative, driven colleagues in an environment that celebrates bold ideas and joyful collaboration.
