Chief Development Officer Jobs
Chief Development Officer jobs are open across nonprofits, higher education, healthcare systems, and social services organizations, from senior director to C-suite level, with specializations in major gifts, capital campaigns, and institutional partnerships. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Department: Development
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Category: Full-time Exempt; salary
Supervises: Development Staff
Salary: $80,000-$90,000 annually (dependent on experience and references)
Position Availability: Immediate
WANT TO WORK FOR ONE OF THE MOST PROGRESSIVE, EFFECTIVE, AND INNOVATIVE LIFESAVING ANIMAL SHELTERS IN THE COUNTRY?
KC Pet Project is a 501c3, nonprofit charitable organization that operates the KC Campus for Animal Care, which is the city of Kansas City, Missouri’s open admission, municipal animal shelter, as well as Pet Adoption Centers in the Zona Rosa shopping center and Petco in Overland Park, KS. We care for more than 16,000 animals annually and are a national leader in the animal welfare industry. Through our Animal Services Division, Pet Support Center, lifesaving, community-centric programs, and 14 locations to adopt in the metro area, KC Pet Project is passionate about creating a caring, safe, and humane community for the people and pets of Kansas City. We focus on progressive programs to help people keep their pets through our Keep ‘Em Together, KC community programs, pet reunification initiatives like lost and found services, reclaim fee forgiveness, microchipping, and pet identification. KC Pet Project performs all animal control operations for the city of Kansas City, MO, through our Animal Services Division.
KC PET PROJECT MISSION
Leading the way in creating a compassionate, safe community for pets and people through progressive, lifesaving programs and services, community resources, and educational opportunities.
KC PET PROJECT PURPOSE
The purpose of KC Pet Project is to provide sheltering and animal services to the city of Kansas City, MO by placing pets into homes with families, enhancing public safety through animal control services, being a resource to people and pets in our community, reuniting lost pets with their owners, establishing pet retention programs, providing educational opportunities, and enriching the lives of pets and people in Kansas City to build up and support a more safe and humane Kansas City. We are reimagining the role of animal services in our community.
KC Pet Project Awards in 2022:
Best Place to Work (over 50 employees) – The Pitch Kansas City Magazine “Best Of” KC Awards
Best Place to Adopt a Pet – The Pitch Kansas City Magazine “Best Of” KC Awards
Best Nonprofit – Kansas City Magazine “Best of KC” Awards
KC Pet Project Awards in 2023:
Best Place to Adopt a Pet - The Pitch Kansas City Magazine “Best Of” KC Awards
Best Fundraising Event runner up – KC Pet Project’s Love Finds a Way Gala - The Pitch “Best Of” KC Awards
POSITION
Kansas City Pet Project seeks an exceptional Chief Development Officer to lead its Development Department and fundraising initiatives at our city’s animal shelter. The CDO is a valued leadership team member and reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer, supervising development staff.
To succeed in this position, the qualified candidate will love animals AND people and can articulate the mission/goals of the organization and its programs. The Chief Development Officer plays a critical role in working with individuals, businesses, and corporations to secure financial gifts, grants, charitable gifts, and bequests and deliver high-impact, successful fundraising events. The chosen candidate will lead the team in identifying new donors, donor relations, stewardship activities, and recognition programs and guide all aspects of the major gift cycle.
Applicants should be individuals who are committed to providing ongoing strategic and creative ideas toward the development of new and sustainable revenue streams to meet the growing demands mandated by the crisis at hand, be calm in the face of challenges, and be communicative with fellow staff members to unearth the best path for the animals and their humans who need our help.
SPECIFIC SKILL SET REQUIREMENTS
This position will be responsible for the oversight of the following:
- Strategic Planning and Vision: Ability to develop and implement long-term strategic plans that align with the organization's goals and mission. The CDO must foresee growth opportunities and anticipate challenges.
- Fundraising Expertise: Proficiency in fundraising techniques, including grant writing, capital campaigns, donor relations, and crowdfunding. Understanding the nuances of different funding sources and how to appeal to each is critical.
- Leadership and Management: Strong leadership skills to inspire and manage the development team, setting clear goals and ensuring accountability. The ability to mentor staff and foster a collaborative, productive work environment is essential.
- Communication and Persuasion: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate the organization's mission, vision, and needs compellingly. This includes grant proposals, presentations, and negotiations.
- Relationship Building and Networking: The capacity to cultivate and maintain relationships with donors, partners, board members, and other stakeholders. Networking skills are crucial for expanding the organization's reach and securing support.
- Financial Acumen: Understanding financial strategies and budget management within the development context. This includes planning, forecasting, and efficiently allocating resources to maximize impact.
- Analytical and Decision-Making Skills: Ability to analyze data, trends, and market insights to inform strategic decisions. This includes evaluating the effectiveness of fundraising campaigns and adjusting strategies accordingly.
- Adaptability and Resilience: The fundraising environment can be highly variable and competitive. A CDO must be adaptable, able to pivot strategies in response to changing circumstances, and resilient in the face of setbacks.
- Technology Proficiency: Familiarity with development software, databases, and tools for donor management, campaign tracking, and reporting. Understanding digital marketing strategies and social media can also be beneficial.
- Ethical Integrity and Transparency: Upholding the highest ethical standards in all dealings and maintaining transparency with donors, stakeholders, and the public. Trust is a cornerstone of successful development efforts.
- Cultural Competency: Engaging with and respecting diverse communities and perspectives. This is especially important in global organizations or those serving varied populations.
- The Chief Development Officer will also lead KCPP’s primary biannual fundraiser, Love Finds a Way, and works closely with the internal development team, the marketing team, the CEO as well as with the outside event professional team assembled for this important event. Likewise, the CDO will manage smaller internal events (open houses, tours, donor gatherings, board-sponsored gatherings) with the Marketing Department, as requested.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or college with advanced degrees preferred
- Minimum ten years related experience in fundraising and donor solicitation with demonstrated success in the areas of major donor development and planned giving
- Excellent written communications skills and storytelling; experience in public speaking
- Provide three letters of referral that support your development prowess. Referrals will be contacted.
- Three years of related experience in nonprofit event execution
- Knowledge of the philanthropic community of Kansas City preferred
- Exceptional level of customer service and interpersonal skills
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications; knowledge of Donor Perfect and Classy databases a plus
- Creativity and willingness to try new approaches and receive constructive feedback
- Self-starter who works well both independently and as a member of a team.
- Must be able to work in a crowded, often stressful, environment under a variety of conditions
- Confident but humble leader, to work with and inspire the KC Pet Project staff, volunteers and its Board(s) of Directors [Kansas City Pet Project board and KC Campus for Animal Care board]
SALARY and BENEFITS
Salary Range based on experience: $ 80,000 – $ 90,000.
Benefits: KC Pet Project offers a comprehensive array of valuable benefits to protect employee health, family, and way of life. KC Pet Project pays towards health insurance premiums for all full-time employees and offers a choice of three health care plan options, as well as dental and vision insurance. We pay the full premium for a group term life, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) policy. Employees can enroll in other voluntary benefits. We also offer an Employer Assistance Plan, Work-Life Services, a 401k retirement account, and employee discounts in our retail store and in-house Roasterie Coffee Shop.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Qualified Applicants, please submit the following via email to careers@kcpetproject.org:
- Cover letter introducing yourself containing full contact information [Legal Name, Full Address, Primary email address, mobile phone #, home or other phone #]
- Resume that includes past employers, dates, supervisor names and professional accomplishments
- Provide the contact information of up to three references who can speak to your work ethic and quality and three letters of recommendation.
Diversity and Inclusion
KC Pet Project is committed to being a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where all employees and volunteers, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, or disability, feels valued and respected. We at KC Pet Project are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all of our departments, programs, and locations. We respect and value diverse life experiences and cultures and ensure that all voices are valued and heard.
We are committed to modeling diversity and inclusion for the entire animal welfare community, and to maintaining an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all.
We know that the more diverse and inclusive we are, the better we will be. Kansas City Pet Project is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer.
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions or qualifications associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change, for example, emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, or technological breakdowns in departments.
09/26
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Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Technology & Software
- Non-Profit & Social Services
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Investment & Asset Management
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in chief development officer jobs.
- 10 or more years of progressive fundraising experience, including major gifts
- Demonstrated success leading capital campaigns or comprehensive fundraising programs
- Experience managing and growing a development team of professional staff
- Bachelor's degree required, with CFRE certification preferred by many employers
- Proficiency with donor management platforms such as Raiser's Edge or Salesforce NPSP
- Strong board relations experience and comfort presenting to executive leadership
Tips for Your Chief Development Officer Job Search
Quantify your fundraising results clearly
Your resume needs hard outcomes: campaign totals raised, donor retention improvements, or endowment growth figures you drove. Chief development officer hiring committees compare candidates on revenue impact, so vague language about 'leading fundraising efforts' won't separate you from the field.
Tailor your materials to mission type
A portfolio that worked for a university capital campaign reads differently to a hospital foundation or arts nonprofit. Reframe your experience around the mission type in each posting, because boards and search committees want to see sector fluency, not just transferable skills.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists chief development officer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target organizations in active growth phases
Postings that mention a new strategic plan, a campaign feasibility study, or recent board expansion signal genuine need rather than a backfill. Prioritize these openings, because you'll enter with a clearer mandate and faster path to visible impact.
Prepare a portfolio case study for interviews
Walk interviewers through one complete campaign you led, from prospect identification through close and stewardship. Boards and executive teams at this level expect a structured narrative, not a list of talking points, so practice telling the arc before your first conversation.
Negotiate the full package, not just base pay
Chief development officer offers often include performance incentives tied to campaign goals, professional development budgets, and board engagement expectations. Clarify each element before accepting, because campaign bonus structures and travel requirements vary widely across organization types.
Chief Development Officer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most chief development officers?
The companies hiring the most chief development officers right now include American Red Cross, Western Michigan University, and University of Southern California, with the largest share of openings in California, New York, and District of Columbia, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Demand is concentrated in organizations with active fundraising campaigns or recent leadership transitions in their development function.
How many chief development officer jobs are remote?
About 63% of chief development officer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of September 2026, though full-time remote roles are less common at this level than in many other functions. Donor stewardship, board relationship management, and major gift cultivation tend to require regular in-person presence, so most organizations expect at least partial on-site availability.
How do you become a chief development officer?
Most chief development officers build their path by starting in annual giving or major gifts, then moving into director-level roles overseeing a full development team. From there, gaining experience leading a comprehensive campaign, managing board volunteers, and presenting to trustees positions you for a CDO search. Earning your CFRE certification and developing a strong professional network in your sector accelerates the timeline considerably.
How do you get hired as a chief development officer without direct CDO experience?
Organizations conducting their first CDO search, or smaller nonprofits with growing programs, will often hire a strong director-level candidate who can grow into the role. Emphasize any experience where you functioned as the senior development leader, even without the title, and highlight board-facing work, campaign leadership, and team management. A clear vision for building or scaling the development function matters as much as an existing CDO title.
What does the chief development officer interview process look like?
Chief development officer searches typically run in multiple stages, starting with a screening conversation with HR or a search consultant, followed by interviews with the executive team and a separate session with board members or a board search committee. Many organizations ask finalists to present a fundraising vision or first-year strategic framework. Reference checks at this level are thorough and often include conversations with former board chairs or major donors.
Where can I find and apply to chief development officer jobs?
You can find and apply to chief development officer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that fit your experience and sector focus, then apply directly to each listing. There's no need to go through a third party or wait to be contacted.
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