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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INTRODUCTION
At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.
As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.
We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.
At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.
Departmental Overview
The University of California, Berkeley is a global leader in fundamental science, influential interdisciplinary research, and fostering technological and policy innovation. With a rich history of discovery and a commitment to creating both short-term and long-term societal benefit, UC Berkeley is uniquely positioned to tackle the most pressing challenges of our time, including the climate crisis and sustainability. Under the leadership of the Associate Provost for Energy, Climate, and Environment (AP-ECE), the Office of the AP-ECE will work collaboratively across campus and with external partners to promote research excellence, curricular innovation, community-engaged scholarship, and sustainable campus operations aligned with the university's broader strategic goals to provide long-term societal benefit. The Office of the AP-ECE is an entrepreneurial experiment for the Berkeley campus to test the boundaries of what is possible to propel transformative energy, climate and environment scholarship as well as curricular innovation within Berkeley's ecosystem of excellence.
The Chief Development Officer for the Office of Energy, Climate, and Environment is a senior advancement leader who designs, develops, and delivers fundraising programs that support the university's broader strategic goals to provide long-term societal benefit. This position reports to the Associate Provost for Energy, Climate, and Environment (AP-ECE) and works across disciplines with academic and fundraising leaders to build relationships with new and existing individual prospects and foundations and create solicitation strategies based on donor capacity and interest.
This is an expert fundraising professional in the area of major and principal gifts. The role maintains a portfolio of donors and prospects and may oversee professional staff if funding allows. The position is expected to raise gift dollar amounts as established annually in collaboration with AP-ECE and University Development and Alumni Relations, at a minimum of $5M annually.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is June 19, 2026. For full consideration, please submit application materials by July 10, 2026.
Responsibilities
- Develop and manage a portfolio of approximately 40-60 prospects with the capacity to give $5 million or greater, and collaborate with colleagues to advance with a particular focus of those who may give $10 million+.
- Qualify major gift prospects and solicit gifts directly.
- Ensure that predetermined fundraising goals are met and raise at least $5M annually through individual and collaborative fundraising once the portfolio is established.
- Build effective relationships across and beyond campus.
- Serve as an expert development professional in the area of philanthropy and principal gifts, leading strategies that include highly complex gift discussions and interaction with donors capable of making significant contributions to the university.
- Lead proactive collaborative efforts to develop effective and coordinated strategies for prospects shared by more than one academic unit; facilitate action plans and monitor implementation of strategies.
- Create and execute events and activities for cultivation, stewardship, and solicitations to advance gift conversations.
- Drive and manage strategic, consistent, personalized engagement with donors, including meaningful interaction with academic leaders, faculty, and lead campus supporters and volunteers.
- Prepare and present formal fundraising proposals to major and principal gift donors and prospects; or prepare senior campus leaders to present proposals.
- Ensure that proposals are well crafted, drawing on support from in-house communications team and gaining sign-off from relevant academic leaders.
- Ensure that gifts are well-stewarded, drawing on campus partners for appropriate, timely, and consistent recognition, and ensure that all appropriate reporting and documentation is undertaken.
- Collaborate and partner with the AP-ECE as well as the VCRO, the Rausser College of Natural Resources, College of Engineering, College of Chemistry, the College of Letters & Science, Organized Research Units as well as other stakeholders to ensure forward momentum with this university-wide priority.
- Establish annual fundraising goals and priorities and ensure effective strategy, implementation, and reporting of development activities.
- Serve as a trusted advisor on prospect strategies and collaborations with faculty.
Required Qualifications
- Substantial years (usually 8+) of high-level performance in principal and major gift fundraising.
- Expert knowledge of all aspects of fundraising strategies, structuring complex gifts, donor relations, and advancement communications.
- Successful track record in building strong professional relationships with major philanthropists, academic leaders, collaborating development professionals, and other key stakeholders (for ex: faculty and staff).
- Relevant field experience, project/program management skills, organization, communication and interpersonal skills as well as strong writing skills.
- Advanced knowledge of fundraising in a campaign at an organization with relevant content; demonstrated interest and passion for contributing to access and justice relating to energy, climate, and/or environment.
- Expert level skills in maintaining confidentiality.
- Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
Salary & Benefits
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $182,800 - $235,000. The full salary range for this job classification is $124,700 - $240,900.
INTRODUCTION
At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.
As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.
We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.
At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.
Departmental Overview
The University of California, Berkeley is a global leader in fundamental science, influential interdisciplinary research, and fostering technological and policy innovation. With a rich history of discovery and a commitment to creating both short-term and long-term societal benefit, UC Berkeley is uniquely positioned to tackle the most pressing challenges of our time, including the climate crisis and sustainability. Under the leadership of the Associate Provost for Energy, Climate, and Environment (AP-ECE), the Office of the AP-ECE will work collaboratively across campus and with external partners to promote research excellence, curricular innovation, community-engaged scholarship, and sustainable campus operations aligned with the university's broader strategic goals to provide long-term societal benefit. The Office of the AP-ECE is an entrepreneurial experiment for the Berkeley campus to test the boundaries of what is possible to propel transformative energy, climate and environment scholarship as well as curricular innovation within Berkeley's ecosystem of excellence.
The Chief Development Officer for the Office of Energy, Climate, and Environment is a senior advancement leader who designs, develops, and delivers fundraising programs that support the university's broader strategic goals to provide long-term societal benefit. This position reports to the Associate Provost for Energy, Climate, and Environment (AP-ECE) and works across disciplines with academic and fundraising leaders to build relationships with new and existing individual prospects and foundations and create solicitation strategies based on donor capacity and interest.
This is an expert fundraising professional in the area of major and principal gifts. The role maintains a portfolio of donors and prospects and may oversee professional staff if funding allows. The position is expected to raise gift dollar amounts as established annually in collaboration with AP-ECE and University Development and Alumni Relations, at a minimum of $5M annually.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is June 19, 2026. For full consideration, please submit application materials by July 10, 2026.
Responsibilities
- Develop and manage a portfolio of approximately 40-60 prospects with the capacity to give $5 million or greater, and collaborate with colleagues to advance with a particular focus of those who may give $10 million+.
- Qualify major gift prospects and solicit gifts directly.
- Ensure that predetermined fundraising goals are met and raise at least $5M annually through individual and collaborative fundraising once the portfolio is established.
- Build effective relationships across and beyond campus.
- Serve as an expert development professional in the area of philanthropy and principal gifts, leading strategies that include highly complex gift discussions and interaction with donors capable of making significant contributions to the university.
- Lead proactive collaborative efforts to develop effective and coordinated strategies for prospects shared by more than one academic unit; facilitate action plans and monitor implementation of strategies.
- Create and execute events and activities for cultivation, stewardship, and solicitations to advance gift conversations.
- Drive and manage strategic, consistent, personalized engagement with donors, including meaningful interaction with academic leaders, faculty, and lead campus supporters and volunteers.
- Prepare and present formal fundraising proposals to major and principal gift donors and prospects; or prepare senior campus leaders to present proposals.
- Ensure that proposals are well crafted, drawing on support from in-house communications team and gaining sign-off from relevant academic leaders.
- Ensure that gifts are well-stewarded, drawing on campus partners for appropriate, timely, and consistent recognition, and ensure that all appropriate reporting and documentation is undertaken.
- Collaborate and partner with the AP-ECE as well as the VCRO, the Rausser College of Natural Resources, College of Engineering, College of Chemistry, the College of Letters & Science, Organized Research Units as well as other stakeholders to ensure forward momentum with this university-wide priority.
- Establish annual fundraising goals and priorities and ensure effective strategy, implementation, and reporting of development activities.
- Serve as a trusted advisor on prospect strategies and collaborations with faculty.
Required Qualifications
- Substantial years (usually 8+) of high-level performance in principal and major gift fundraising.
- Expert knowledge of all aspects of fundraising strategies, structuring complex gifts, donor relations, and advancement communications.
- Successful track record in building strong professional relationships with major philanthropists, academic leaders, collaborating development professionals, and other key stakeholders (for ex: faculty and staff).
- Relevant field experience, project/program management skills, organization, communication and interpersonal skills as well as strong writing skills.
- Advanced knowledge of fundraising in a campaign at an organization with relevant content; demonstrated interest and passion for contributing to access and justice relating to energy, climate, and/or environment.
- Expert level skills in maintaining confidentiality.
- Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
Salary & Benefits
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $182,800 - $235,000. The full salary range for this job classification is $124,700 - $240,900.
See All 153+ Chief Development Officer Jobs
Jump back to the full list of openings and apply to any chief development officer role that fits.
Find JobsChief Development Officer Job Market
A snapshot from current openings nationwide, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Trinity Health6
- Jobot5
- Aon3
- Sutter Health3
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center2
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services44
- Education22
- Technology & Software17
- Insurance11
- Consulting & Professional Services9
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 Trinity Health, Jobot, and Aon, with the largest share of openings in California, New York, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 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 21% of chief development officer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of June 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.
See All 153+ Chief Development Officer Jobs
Jump back to the full list of openings and apply to any chief development officer role that fits.
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