Chief Development Officer

Blue Star Families•Washington, DC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Blue Star Families is seeking an experienced, strategic, and high-energy Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead all aspects of the organization’s fundraising and revenue strategy. Reporting to the President and working closely with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Board of Directors, the CDO will build and execute a comprehensive development strategy that supports both near-term growth and long-term sustainability. As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CDO sets the enterprise-wide vision for philanthropy and revenue generation. This leader brings urgency, adaptability, and sharp market awareness - someone who can quickly read and respond to opportunities in an ever-changing environment while maintaining disciplined execution. The CDO will work in close partnership with the Impact department to ensure alignment between fundraising strategy, program outcomes, and measurable mission impact, strengthening the organization’s ability to clearly articulate and deliver on its value proposition to donors and stakeholders. The ideal candidate is a bold, forward-thinking fundraiser who combines big-picture strategy with hands-on leadership. They are a natural collaborator, an engaging and charismatic relationship-builder, and a driven leader who thrives on challenge and measurable impact. The Chief Development Officer must be able to travel overnight several times per year to attend leadership retreats, staff off-sites, and organization-wide events. Participation in these gatherings is an essential function of the role. The Chief Development Officer must reside in the National Capital Region.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
12+ years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience, including significant executive leadership experience.
Track record of securing six and seven-figure gifts.
At least 10 years of experience leading and managing high-performing fundraising teams.
Demonstrated success leading and executing a fundraising strategy for $50+ million organization.
Experience partnering closely with CEOs and Boards of Directors.
Deep knowledge and proven track record of individual, corporate, and foundation philanthropy, as well as planned giving and endowment strategy.
Strong financial acumen and experience overseeing multimillion-dollar revenue portfolios.
Expertise in CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) and development analytics.
Exceptional ability to operate with energy, agility, and sound judgment in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
Charismatic, outgoing communicator with strong executive presence and public speaking ability.
Highly driven, resilient, and motivated by ambitious goals and meaningful challenges.
Deep alignment with and commitment to the organization’s mission and values.
Willingness and ability to work nights, weekends, or holidays as required.
Ability to travel overnight several times per year for required in-person gatherings.

Nice To Haves

Works and communicates effectively with people from different backgrounds, and fosters teamwork.
Extensive experience working with non-profit partner organizations.
Comfort and confidence in high-visibility, external-facing roles.

Responsibilities

Provide executive oversight of all fundraising channels, including: individual giving (major gifts, mid-level, annual fund), corporate partnerships and sponsorships, foundation and institutional grants, planned giving and endowments, capital campaigns, and special events and peer-to-peer fundraising
Architect and drive a diversified, multi-channel revenue strategy that reduces risk and expands sustainable funding streams.
Bring energy and quickness to identifying, evaluating, and acting on emerging opportunities in philanthropy and partnerships.
Serve as a strategic thought partner to the President and CEO on growth, innovation, and long-term sustainability.
Establish ambitious yet achievable revenue targets, with clear performance metrics and accountability systems.
Align development strategy with enterprise priorities to accelerate mission impact and organizational expansion.
Partner closely with the Impact department to align funding priorities with programmatic outcomes, impact measurement, and storytelling.
Partner with the Board of Directors to strengthen governance engagement in fundraising.
Equip board members with tools, strategies, and accountability measures to support development efforts.
Serve as a primary ambassador for BSF with key donors, corporate partners, foundations, and strategic stakeholders.
Elevate BSF’s national visibility and philanthropic positioning nationally.
Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, corporate partners, foundations, and key stakeholders.
Personally manage a portfolio of high-capacity and transformational donors.
Demonstrate strong instincts and responsiveness in donor engagement—quickly adapting to signals, interests, and opportunities.
Ensure best-in-class stewardship, impact reporting, and alignment between funding and measurable outcomes.
Represent BSF at high-level meetings, conferences, and donor engagement events.
Lead and oversee the Development Department, ensuring alignment, accountability, and operational excellence.
Build, mentor, and retain a high-performing, agile team capable of scaling with organizational growth.
Create and optimize systems, processes, and infrastructure to support a modern, data-driven development function.
Ensure effective use of CRM systems (Salesforce preferred), analytics, and performance dashboards.
Partner with Finance to oversee budgeting, revenue forecasting, and financial reporting.
Model a leadership style that is collaborative, fast-moving, and solutions-oriented.
Other duties as assigned