Chief Development Officer

Unbound Now is ending human trafficking by identifying victims, supporting survivors, seeking justice, and leading system change. We are motivated by our faith in Jesus and work each day as individuals driven by hope, oriented towards service, and committed to excellence. To learn more about our values, please read our Statement of Faith.


Job Title: Chief Development Officer (CDO)

Job Location: Flexible office location

Job Status: Full-time, exempt

Job Summary: The Chief Development Officer (CDO) provides strategic leadership for all fundraising efforts, building a high-performing team and a culture where generosity is pursued with excellence, authenticity, and joy. This role partners closely with the CEO to advance donor relationships, align development with organizational vision, and integrate fundraising, marketing, and planned giving into a unified strategy. The CDO is both a strategist and a coach-someone who develops people as intentionally as they develop revenue.

Compensation: Annual salary

Benefits: Unbound Now is proud to offer a premier benefits package that prioritizes the health and financial security of our team members and their families:

• 100% Employer-Paid Health Insurance: We cover 100% of medical premiums for both the employee and their family.
• Employer-Paid Life Insurance: Fully covered for the employee at no cost.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with a 3% salary match (eligible after 90 days; 1-year vesting).
• Dental & Vision: Comprehensive plans are available at the employee's expense.

Schedule/Availability: Generally, 8:30-5:30 Monday-Friday; some evenings and weekends; some domestic travel likely

Travel: Will require frequent travel between Texas and Louisiana offices.

Working conditions: Work is generally performed in an office environment. Work duties may, on rare occasions, be performed in an environment requiring exposure to weather extremes, fumes, odors, and noise.

Key Job Responsibilities:

1. Development Strategy & Execution

• Design and lead a comprehensive, multi-channel fundraising strategy (major gifts, annual fund, events, campaigns, planned giving).
• Establish clear revenue goals, metrics, and accountability systems.
• Oversee donor pipeline development and ensure disciplined moves management across all portfolios.
• Evaluate and refine strategies based on performance data and donor insights.

2. Team Leadership & Training

• Build, lead, and develop a high-capacity development team.
• Create a culture of coaching, continuous learning, and professional growth.
• Train staff in donor engagement, relationship-building, and effective solicitation practices.
• Provide clear expectations, regular feedback, accountability, and encouragement.

3. CEO & Leadership Engagement

• Serve as strategist and partner to the CEO for major donor and key relationship activity.
• Prepare and coach the CEO for donor meetings, presentations, and solicitations.
• Ensure the CEO's time is leveraged effectively toward high-impact fundraising opportunities.
• Collaborate with board members to increase their confidence and participation in development efforts.

4. Donor Strategy & Relationship Management

• Personally manage the CEO's portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects.
• Develop tailored engagement strategies that align donor passions with organizational priorities.
• Foster long-term, trust-based relationships that lead to sustained and transformational giving.
• Ensure meaningful stewardship practices that communicate impact and deepen connection.

5. Culture of Joy in Fundraising

• Champion a philosophy of fundraising rooted in mission, impact, and the joy of generosity.
• Reinforce that development is not transactional, but relational and purpose-driven.
• Create rhythms, messaging, and team practices that celebrate wins, honor donors, and highlight impact stories.
• Model enthusiasm, gratitude, and authenticity in all interactions.

6. Collaboration with Marketing & Communications

• Partner with marketing to ensure consistent messaging, branding, and storytelling across all donor touchpoints.
• Align fundraising campaigns with communication strategies to maximize engagement and reach.
• Ensure donor communications clearly articulate mission, impact, and opportunities for involvement.
• Collaborate on content development, including campaigns, reports, and digital engagement.

7. Major Gifts & Planned Giving Strategy:

• Conduct prospecting activities to identify and prioritize high-potential relationships and opportunities.
• Facilitate CEO meetings and calls with major donors and prospects.
• Help donors accomplish their philanthropic goals and ambitions through a relationship with Unbound Now, developing major gifts goal-setting, fundraising plans, and individual gift strategies for major donors, and directing activities in support of these goals and objectives.
• Oversee a planned giving program that encourages legacy gifts as well as asset gifts.
• Integrate planned giving into the overall donor strategy, particularly for major and long-standing supporters.
• Equip team members and donors with clear, accessible information about giving options.
• Integrate a planned giving presence on the website that is clear and easily accessible.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Leadership
• Coaching & Team Development
• Donor-Centered Thinking
• Collaboration & Cross-Functional Partnership
• Executive Presence
• Results Orientation with Relational Depth

*This position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. The scope of the position may change as necessitated by organizational demands.

Desired Outcomes / What Success Looks Like:

• A confident, well-trained development team that executes with clarity and ownership.
• A CEO who is effectively engaged and impactful in donor relationships.
• Donors who feel known, valued, and connected to meaningful impact.
• Fundraising that reflects energy, purpose, and joy, not pressure or obligation.
• Strong alignment between development, marketing, and long-term giving strategies.
• Financial provision for Unbound Now programs and operations, both now and for the future.
• Strong network of support, including individuals, churches, foundations, businesses/corporations, and community organizations, yielding diversified and sustainable funding.
• Strategic development plan with clear goals, effectively implemented, and regularly scheduled reporting on progress toward goals.
• Board members, CEO, Offices, Local Advisory Boards, and development staff are unified, motivated, equipped, and encouraged in Unbound Now's development plan and efforts.

Working Relationships:

Supervisor: Unbound Now CEO

Works with: Unbound Now Executive Team, Regional Directors, Coordinator, Communications Director, and HQ staff.

Supervises: Unbound Now Director of Communications, Directors of Development, Grant Manager, Unbound Now CRM Specialist

Experience and Education:

• Bachelor's degree or higher
• 5+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience at organizations with a $10 million+ annual operating budget
• CFRE preferred
• Demonstrated experience in securing new funders and major gifts
• Proven relationship management experience
• Supervisory experience

Job Requirements:

• Mature Christian faith, as evidenced by participation in a local Christian church.
• Three references (supervisor, professional, personal).
• Agree to and pass all required criminal background checks, including the DFPS criminal history check and the abuse and neglect registry check.
• Pass employment eligibility verification.
• Thorough commitment to the mission, vision, and values of Unbound Now.
• Abide by Unbound Now policies, including Unbound Now's Gift Acceptance Policy.
• Ability to think strategically.
• Ability to engage others (including staff, donors, and board members) in Unbound Now's mission.
• Strong motivational and leadership abilities.
• Persuasive and passionate communicator with strong writing and public speaking skills.
• Strong coalition-building skills with an ability to communicate and work effectively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, and able to achieve consensus.
• Excellent administrative skills, detail-oriented, well-organized, and systems-oriented.
• Highly motivated self-starter with the ability to work collaboratively with others.
• Appreciation of the transformational giving approach, with commitment to building long-term relationships with donors.
• Knowledge of the field of human trafficking and the programs and operations of Unbound Now - training available.
• Competent in the use of technology, including knowledge of or willingness to learn Virtuous CRM.
• Strong work ethic.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Willingness to use personal vehicle for Unbound Now purposes, a valid driver's license, and car insurance.
• Pursue professional development as appropriate for this position.

Physical and Driving Requirements

• Demands include sitting for long periods at a computer, repetitive hand motions from frequent keyboarding
• Demands frequently require close visual attention
• Demands frequently require prolonged mental concentration
• Demands frequent video calls
• Ability to drive personal vehicles and maintain proper insurance coverage