Chief Development Officer

Chief Development Officer

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Development Officer (CDO) is a member of the senior leadership team and serves as the executive leader for philanthropy, grants management, public relations, strategic partnerships, and institutional advancement. The CDO develops and executes a comprehensive strategy to diversify revenue, strengthen Charles Drew Health Center, Inc. (CDHC) visibility and reputation, and secure public and private resources that advance access to high-quality, culturally responsive health care. The CDO leads the full development and grants lifecycle; cultivates donors, foundations, corporations, government funders and community partners; provides oversight of HRSA/BPHC and other grant activity; and directs or coordinates public relations, media relations, community engagement, organizational storytelling, digital communications and brand stewardship. The CDO works closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, Foundation Board, Finance, Compliance, Operations, Clinical leadership and program teams to align funding, communications and external relations with CDHC strategic priorities and FQHC requirements.

POSITION-SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive annual and multi-year development, grants and external relations strategy aligned with CDHC strategic priorities, community needs, service expansion and long-term financial sustainability.
• Set and monitor measurable revenue goals across individual giving, major gifts, corporate support, foundations, government grants, sponsorships, planned giving, special campaigns and other mission-aligned funding sources.
• Lead donor and prospect development, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, acknowledgement, stewardship, retention and appropriate recognition.
• Maintain a centralized grants management system that includes a grants calendar, prospect pipeline, award inventory, reporting schedule, renewal dates, required deliverables, restrictions, match requirements, responsible owners and closeout requirements.
• Provide executive oversight for federal, state, local, corporate and foundation grant prospecting, proposal development, submission, award acceptance, implementation, monitoring, reporting, renewal and closeout.
• Coordinate HRSA/BPHC Health Center Program grant activities and Electronic Handbooks (EHB) submissions, including Section 330 applications, continuation and supplemental funding opportunities, scope-related submissions and other required grant actions in partnership with appropriate leaders.
• Establish clear pre-award and post-award workflows with Finance, Compliance, Operations, Quality, Clinical and program leaders to ensure proposals, budgets, work plans, performance measures, reporting and supporting documentation are accurate, timely and consistent with funder requirements.
• Partner with Finance to monitor grant budgets, allowable costs, spending progress, match or cost-sharing commitments, restricted funding and financial reporting; promptly identify and escalate material variances or compliance risks.
• Monitor grant performance against approved goals, objectives, timelines and deliverables; convene responsible leaders as needed to address barriers, corrective actions, reporting gaps and sustainability planning.
• Maintain complete and organized grant files and documentation to support audits, site visits, funder reviews, compliance monitoring, knowledge transfer and successful renewal or closeout.
• Use community health needs, UDS and organizational performance data, patient/community stories and health equity priorities to develop compelling cases for support and competitive funding proposals.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with program officers, government agencies, foundations, corporate partners, donors and other funders; proactively communicate progress, impact, challenges and emerging opportunities.
• Partner with the CEO, Board of Directors and Foundation Board to strengthen fundraising participation, prospect introductions, donor stewardship, advocacy and community relationship-building.
• Serve as staff liaison to the Development Committee and/or Foundation Board and provide timely reports on fundraising performance, grants status, pipeline health, public relations activity, risks, opportunities and return on investment.
• Lead CDHC public relations and external communications strategy, including media relations, press releases, executive messaging, proactive storytelling and reputation management.
• Serve as an organizational spokesperson when designated by the CEO and prepare leaders and subject-matter experts for media interviews, presentations and high-visibility community engagements.
• Coordinate crisis and issues communications with the CEO and leadership to ensure timely, accurate and consistent messaging while protecting patient privacy and organizational credibility.
• Oversee external content across the website, social media, newsletters, annual reports, donor communications and campaign materials to ensure consistent brand voice and mission-focused storytelling. Build relationships with media, civic leaders, elected officials and community partners to increase awareness of CDHC services, partnerships and community impact.
• Plan and support key community, donor and media events that strengthen visibility and stakeholder engagement.
• Ensure consistent use of CDHC brand standards, messaging and visual identity across development and external communications.
• Manage donor, funder and partner information within appropriate CRM/grants systems; maintain accurate records, dashboards and documentation standards that support forecasting, accountability and stewardship.
• Develop and manage the Development department budget and vendor relationships, balancing growth investment with measurable outcomes and responsible stewardship of organizational resources.
• Recruit, coach, develop and supervise development, grants, communications/public relations staff and contractors as assigned; establish clear roles, goals, accountability and professional development expectations.
• Monitor and report key performance indicators, including dollars raised, donor retention, proposal win rate, grant renewal rate, pipeline coverage, media reach/engagement, digital performance, community engagement and campaign progress.
• Perform special projects and other duties as assigned that are consistent with the scope and leadership level of the position.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree in nonprofit management, public administration, business, healthcare administration, communications, public health or a related field preferred.
• Active and valid driver's license.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in development, fundraising, grants management, institutional advancement, public relations, communications or related work, including leadership responsibility; FQHC or community health experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success securing and managing a diversified portfolio of public and private funding, including federal grants, foundation grants, corporate support, major gifts and sponsorships.
• Demonstrated experience with the complete grants lifecycle, including prospecting, proposal development, budgeting, submission, award setup, monitoring, reporting, renewals, compliance documentation and closeout.
• Experience with HRSA/BPHC Health Center Program funding, Section 330 grants and the Electronic Handbooks (EHB) strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated public relations and communications experience, including media relations, message development, executive communications, digital content, community engagement and reputation management.
• Excellent grant writing, persuasive writing, editing, presentation, relationship-management and facilitation skills; ability to communicate effectively with individuals at all levels and in sensitive situations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage budgets, coordinate cross-functional work, meet complex deadlines and influence outcomes without direct authority.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and development/grants technology; experience with a fundraising CRM such as Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, Bloomerang or comparable systems preferred.
• Hours of Work: Full-time exempt position; regular business hours with occasional early morning, evening or weekend work for grant deadlines, donor/community events, media activities and organizational needs.
• Travel/Physical: Some local and regional travel is required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.