Chief Development Officer

Second Helpings Inc•Indianapolis, IN

2h•$120,000 - $130,000

About The Position

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is a member of Second Helpings’ executive leadership team and leads the organization’s fund development, marketing, communications, and events functions. The CDO develops and executes an integrated advancement strategy to grow revenue, strengthen donor and community relationships, elevate the organization’s brand, and support long-term sustainability. The role sets direction for the development team, builds team capacity, establishes accountability, and ensures advancement goals produce measurable results. The CDO also serves as a strategic partner to the CEO and Board and as a visible ambassador for Second Helpings. Second Helpings’ mission is to address hunger today and build self-sufficiency to prevent hunger tomorrow. Founded in 1998, the organization has rescued nearly 55 million pounds of food and distributed nearly 21 million meals through more than 200 area partners. Its building is an active, collaborative environment with volunteers present during most open hours and culinary job-training students regularly coming and going. The position requires occasional evening and weekend work in support of fundraising, donor, community, and organizational events. The physical demands include remaining stationary for lengthy periods, moving up to 10 pounds, and repetitive motion while sitting at a computer keyboard. Parking and lunch are provided. Applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer; visa sponsorship is not available. Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter with their application and resume. Applications are accepted through 9:00 AM Monday, November 2, 2026.

Requirements

10 or more years of progressive experience in fundraising, development, advancement, communications, or a related field, with demonstrated success achieving fundraising goals.
Bachelor’s degree required.
Significant experience leading and developing teams, including hiring, coaching, and performance management.
Demonstrated success with major gifts and relationship-based fundraising.
Ability to lead strategy, people, and execution simultaneously.
Strong fundraising, relationship-building, and major gift skills.
Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
Strong people leadership, coaching, delegation, and accountability skills.
Executive presence, emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and strong problem-solving skills.
Ability to use data and CRM systems, including Salesforce, to inform decisions and measure results.
Ability to collaborate across departments and engage diverse communities.
Commitment to the mission and values of Second Helpings.
Adaptability and resilience in a dynamic environment.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States; the organization cannot sponsor or assume sponsorship of an employment visa.
Submit a cover letter with the application and resume.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree, CFRE, or relevant certification.
Experience leading integrated development, marketing/communications, and events functions.
Experience managing significant revenue portfolios and working with nonprofit Boards.

Responsibilities

Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team and strategic partner to the CEO.
Develop annual and long-term strategies and goals for fundraising, marketing, communications, events, and community engagement.
Translate organizational priorities into departmental goals, action plans, and measurable outcomes.
Use data, donor trends, and philanthropic knowledge to assess performance, forecast revenue, and identify opportunities and risks.
Collaborate across programs and operations to align advancement work with organizational priorities.
Represent Second Helpings with donors, partners, volunteers, community leaders, and the broader community.
Lead a diversified revenue strategy spanning major gifts, annual giving, institutional giving, corporate partnerships, planned giving, digital fundraising, events, and emerging opportunities.
Build and manage a donor pipeline and lead donor cultivation, solicitation, retention, and stewardship.
Personally manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects and participate in major gift solicitations.
Partner with the CEO and Board to strengthen Board engagement in fundraising and relationship development.
Oversee grant strategy, proposals, reporting, and identification of new funding opportunities.
Ensure a consistent donor experience through stewardship, communications, recognition, and impact reporting.
Set and monitor revenue goals, fundraising performance, and forecasts.
Lead, develop, and retain an advancement team spanning development, marketing, communications, and events.
Establish clear team roles, priorities, goals, performance expectations, and measures of success.
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, service, and continuous improvement.
Coach and develop direct reports through feedback, goal-setting, one-on-ones, and professional development.
Delegate effectively while remaining accountable for department-wide results.
Recruit talented staff and ensure succession planning and cross-training.
Manage departmental budgets and resources in alignment with organizational priorities.
Provide strategic direction for marketing and communications to strengthen visibility, reputation, and fundraising efforts.
Ensure clear, compelling, consistent messaging across digital, print, social media, email, media relations, and other channels.
Use storytelling and impact communications to deepen donor and community engagement.
Provide strategic leadership for fundraising and community events, with clear goals, strong financial performance, and meaningful engagement.
Partner with staff, Board members, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners to maximize the impact of events and communications.
Partner with the CEO, Board Chair, and Development Committee to strengthen Board participation in fundraising and community engagement.
Provide Board members with information, tools, and support to cultivate and steward relationships.
Build relationships with donors, corporations, foundations, community leaders, volunteers, and strategic partners.
Identify opportunities to expand Second Helpings’ visibility, influence, and community impact.