Chief Development Officer

New Horizons seeks a visionary, results-driven Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead fundraising and development. The CDO will champion the organization’s values, promote equality, and foster a culture of growth and collaboration. Working with the President & CEO, the CDO will craft and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy to expand New Horizons’ impact in Southern California.

As part of the Executive Team, the CDO will help shape strategy, drive innovation, and ensure effective management. The ideal candidate has proven success in fundraising, donor relations, team leadership, and is skilled in using donor databases and data analytics to guide strategic decisions and boost donor engagement.

Strategic Leadership:

Develops and implements a comprehensive fundraising strategy that aligns with the organization’s mission and goals.

Partners with the CEO, board members, and senior leadership to create and execute an annual fundraising plan.

Oversees the development of major campaigns, grants, corporate partnerships, and planned giving initiatives.

Fundraising and Revenue Growth:

Designs, implements, and manages a diversified fundraising portfolio, including major gifts, annual giving, corporate sponsorships, grants, and planned giving.

Utilizes donor database systems to track donor engagement, analyze giving trends, and inform targeted fundraising strategies.

Provides support and indirect oversight of all NH major events, including but not limited to the yearly Gala, golf tournament and Power of the Purse. Analyzes each event for viability, mission alignment, and overall effectiveness.

Sets and achieves annual fundraising goals, ensuring consistent revenue growth and financial sustainability.

Builds relationships with top donors, including high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and corporations, through personal cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation.

Oversees grant writing and submission process, ensuring alignment with the organization’s programs and priorities.

Donor Relations and Stewardship:

Leads the organization’s efforts to expand its donor base and build long-term, meaningful relationships with key stakeholders.

Develops a robust donor stewardship program to enhance donor engagement and retention, including the “Heroes of Horizons” group, ensuring timely acknowledgment and recognition of involvement with New Horizons.

Implements strategies to upgrade donor giving levels and create donor loyalty programs.

Works closely with the Board of Directors and the Emeritus Council to cultivate.

Team Leadership and Development:

Directly supervises and mentors development staff, fostering a collaborative, high-performing, and supportive culture that values innovation, empathy, and professional growth.

Leads and mentors the development team, fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture focused on meeting and exceeding fundraising goals.

Establishes clear performance goals for the development team and provides regular feedback and support.

Provides professional development opportunities for team members, encouraging growth in fundraising skills and leadership.

Marketing and Communication:

Oversees all marketing and communications efforts to enhance visibility and awareness of the organization’s mission and fundraising efforts.

Develops clear, compelling messaging for donor engagement, including case statements, appeals, and campaign materials.

Represents the organization at public events, donor meetings, and conferences to raise awareness and increase support.

Board, Committee and CEO Support:

Advises the CEO and Board on best practices for fundraising and donor engagement.

Works closely with the Chair of the Advancement committee, and other members so that they are actively engaged and acknowledged.

Enlists and supports the CEO with “closing” opportunity with major donors, contributors and business partners.

Ensures the Board is effectively engaged in fundraising, including providing regular updates on progress and preparing them to make personal gifts or solicit gifts from others.

Leads fundraising efforts for board-driven events and initiatives.

Financial Oversight and Reporting:

Manages the development budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources for fundraising activities.

Regularly reports on fundraising progress to the CEO, Board, and key stakeholders, providing metrics on goals, revenue, and donor engagement, that align with agency financial reporting and are informed by robust data analysis from donor management systems.

Ensures compliance with all relevant regulations, including tax and legal requirements for charitable giving.

Collaborates closely with finance, understanding revenue, expenses, grants, and forecasting.

Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.

A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising or development, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.

Proven success in managing a multi-million-dollar fundraising operation, with experience in major gifts, capital campaigns, grants, and corporate partnerships.

Demonstrated success in building and leading high-performing teams.

Strong track record of cultivating relationships with donors and securing significant gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop compelling proposals and presentations.

Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities, including the ability to interpret and act on data trends and analytics.

High level of comfort working with senior executives, boards, and donors.

Deep understanding of fundraising best practices, donor stewardship, and nonprofit financials.

Highly skilled user of electronic fundraising and donor database systems, as well as competent user of other agency applications.

Financially aware, with the ability to work closely with finance and accounting on revenue, expenses, grants, and forecasting.

Able to work closely with all departments, bringing finesse and grace to achieve our collective goals.

Passion for New Horizons’ mission and values.

Proven leadership and team-building skills.

High level of integrity, professionalism, and work ethic.