Chief Development Officer (Woodside)

Position Summary

The Chief Development Officer leads a professional Development Department and serves as a key Executive Team member and a strategic leader for Filoli Historic House and Garden. The CDO partners with the Board, the CEO, and the leadership team to create and implement a long‑term development strategy that builds a philanthropic program designed to engage a broad audience in ongoing programs and ambitious projects. The CDO leads relationship development, designs and implements a vision for cultivating philanthropic commitments, serves as Filoli’s top fundraiser, and provides counsel and influences high‑stakes decisions and big‑picture elements of the $25 million comprehensive campaign, Cultivating the Future.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Work closely with the CEO, the Executive Team, and the Board of Directors on comprehensive long‑term planning that supports sustainable growth and provide leadership in the development and implementation of a comprehensive contributed revenue strategy.
• Serve as a knowledgeable leader for philanthropic advancement, providing expertise in all development functions and working with the CEO to build fundraising strategies that secure the financial health of Filoli.
• Serve as a collaborative leader and member of the Executive Team in establishing growth direction, developing creative solutions, and representing a unified voice for the overall strategic direction.
• Represent Filoli to external audiences, including individual and organizational contacts and the broader philanthropic community; use external meetings, conferences, and speaking engagements to build brand visibility and financial support.
• Identify and prioritize fundraising projects, keep current on cross‑departmental project development and implementation, and provide institutional reports for project process and completion.
• Lead, staff, and provide leadership to fundraising committees, including the Gala and Development Committees and the Campaign Cabinet; proactively plan meeting agendas, present robust data, and develop relationships with board members and volunteer leaders.
• Sustain and grow the revenue base by building a major gifts program, executing a comprehensive individual giving program, creating platforms for corporate and foundation engagement, developing a planned giving program, and designing a fundraising and cultivation event platform.
• Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of Filoli's top major and principal gift prospects, partnering with the CEO to advance their fundraising activities.
• Engage the Board of Directors, Development Committee, and volunteer fundraisers to participate directly in all phases of fundraising.
• Create performance measurables and maintain regular internal and external tracking and progress reporting.
• Ensure all fundraising efforts are well organized and executed, laying the foundation for future increases in donor support.
• Maintain knowledge of federal and state tax laws and gift‑tracking standards relevant to major donor gift administration.
• Ensure development communications across the department meet the organization’s quality and brand standards.
• Engage external partners, consultants, and resources for training and professional development of staff and board confidence in the solicitation process.
• Oversee the overall campaign plan, including phasing and prioritization, prospect management, performance targets, communications, budgeting, policy oversight, and donor recognition.
• Ensure campaign strategies and reporting systems are in place to monitor and communicate progress.
• Partner with professional campaign counsel to adhere to the highest standards in campaign development.
• Drive the solicitation process through engagement of executive leaders and development staff.
• Manage the Campaign Cabinet, including recruitment, onboarding, staffing, evaluation, communications, and events.
• Ensure proper management of gifts, ongoing stewardship, and robust recognition programs.
• Provide regular updates and reports to the CEO, staff, and board leadership on campaign statistics and recommend next steps.
• Create programs and activities to raise public interest in the project.
• Implement and review equitable campaign policies and update them as required.
• Develop annual department plans and budgets that support the organization’s needs.
• Hire, train, manage, evaluate, develop, and supervise Development staff with an emphasis on succession and professional development.
• Lead team members in setting work goals and maintaining accountability for achievement.
• Ensure staff members receive individualized professional development plans.
• Provide oversight and continually improve internal processes and systems.
• Collaborate with the Executive Team, Marketing, and the Property team to ensure alignment of development and campaign messaging and to maintain a fundraising project grid.

Traits and Characteristics

The CDO will be an experienced, charismatic leader with deep appreciation for Filoli’s mission and setting. The candidate should be highly motivated, energetic, possess strong organizational skills, exhibit development best practices, and have a proven fundraising track record including capital campaigns. They must be an inspiring communicator, relationship builder, change agent, and advocate for a racially equitable organization.

Qualifications

• Minimum of seven years of progressive fundraising experience with a proven track record of closing major gifts, campaign oversight, and communication responsibilities.
• Direct experience managing a professional team of fundraisers in a campaign environment.
• Experience serving on a senior staff or executive team with direct relationships to the board and volunteer fundraisers.
• Proficient with databases such as Blackbaud Altru or similar CRM systems.
• Comprehensive knowledge of philanthropic sector trends and best practices and experience with large, comprehensive campaigns.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or specialized training/certification in fundraising is a plus.
• Physical ability to sit for long periods, walk uneven terrain, and handle items up to 25 pounds.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and 20‑40 % remote work.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range is estimated between $220,000 and $245,000. Benefits include paid vacation (15 days based on management status), sick leave, personal days, holidays, health insurance, long‑term disability, life insurance, and a voluntary 401(k) retirement plan.

EEO Statement

Filoli is an equal‑opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam‑era veterans, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.