Chief Development Officer (CDO)

Chief Development Officer (CDO)

About the Company

Well-established public interest law firm

Industry
Legal Services

Type
Privately Held

Founded
1965

Employees
51-200

Specialties

• legal services

About the Role

The Company is seeking a Chief Development Officer to lead and strengthen its private fundraising program, with an emphasis on major gifts, foundations, and corporate and law firm partnerships. The role will set fundraising goals and plans, track results, manage the department budget, and build a sustainable culture of philanthropy while supporting existing funding sources. Responsibilities include personally cultivating and soliciting major donors, overseeing grant strategy and proposals, engaging board members in fundraising, and guiding communications and donor events. The CDO will also lead and develop the team, maintain effective fundraising systems and ethical practices, and contribute to organization-wide planning. Candidates should have at least 10 years of relevant experience, including seven or more years supervising staff, and a record of setting and achieving measurable fundraising goals. Demonstrated success securing major gifts and foundation grants—including personally soliciting five- and six-figure gifts—and experience partnering with executive leadership and engaging board members are required. Strong communication, financial analysis, strategic planning, team leadership, and data-driven decision-making skills are essential, along with proficiency in donor databases and Microsoft Office. Experience in legal services or government-funded organizations, communications leadership, capital campaigns, or relevant fundraising credentials is an advantage; Spanish or another community language is also valued.

Hiring Manager Title
Executive Director

Functions

• Business Development
• Non-Profit Management