Chief Development Officer

Monterey Bay Aquarium•Monterey, CA

15h•$360,000 - $375,000

About The Position

The Monterey Bay Aquarium seeks an experienced fundraising executive to serve as Chief Development Officer (CDO). Reporting to the CEO and serving on the Executive Leadership Team, the CDO will lead fundraising, donor engagement, and membership efforts across the Aquarium. The CDO will define the development vision and build the infrastructure for a comprehensive program that strengthens philanthropy, supports the strategic plan, attracts funding, engages donors and members, develops staff, and elevates the Aquarium’s visibility and reputation. The CDO will serve as architect of the Aquarium’s next comprehensive campaign while sustaining annual operating support. Working with the CEO, Board of Trustees, senior leaders, volunteers, and other constituents, the CDO will help shape campaign priorities and fundraising opportunities, cultivate and secure major and principal gifts, and build support for capital projects and conservation, education, and research activities. The CDO will lead a 40-person development team, including three direct reports, and contribute to organization-wide strategic planning and executive decision-making.

Requirements

At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience envisioning, developing, and implementing a successful comprehensive development program in a fast-paced environment.
Knowledge of development best practices and demonstrated ability to conceptualize, manage, and close a comprehensive campaign.
Experience building on an existing program to transform philanthropic revenue and improve development-program and staff effectiveness through objectives and performance standards.
Strong strategic-planning and analytical skills, with experience developing and implementing an organization-wide development plan.
Personal success cultivating major and principal gifts, including donor strategy, solicitation, and stewardship.
Fundraising experience across major gifts, corporate and foundation giving, planned giving, and membership programs, with results across these areas.
Credibility, maturity, and judgment to engage senior leaders, board members, and volunteers in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding key prospects, including high-net-worth individuals and business leaders.
Understanding of resource management across time, effort, budget, and funding, with evidence of strategic resource allocation and tracking.
Organizational-development skills and ability to build and manage strong teams, motivate staff, and align performance with strategic priorities and expectations.
Experience leading and managing a comparably sized team, with a record of effective hiring, team development, and staff retention.
History of implementing data-informed approaches and applying strategic and tactical thinking to produce results.
Strong personal integrity and work ethic, with a sense of humor and perspective.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred; comparable years of directly relevant experience and a proven record of achievement may be considered instead.

Responsibilities

Lead a strategic, cohesive development program that broadens fundraising, outreach, and membership activities and increases philanthropic revenue year over year.
Prepare the Aquarium for future fundraising initiatives by deploying staff effectively and developing efficient, sustainable infrastructure.
Identify compelling funding opportunities based on organizational priorities and match them with existing and prospective donors.
Use strategic-plan and campaign messaging to engage and inspire the Aquarium community.
Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major and principal gift donors; lead the frontline fundraising team by example.
Develop an operating model informed by metrics, data, benchmarking, and development best practices.
Advise and support the CEO in donor cultivation and transformational-gift solicitations, and support trustees, senior leaders, volunteers, and other constituents in development activities.
Serve as an active Executive Leadership Team member, collaborate with senior peers, and contribute to organization-wide strategic planning and policy discussions.
Lead, support, and mentor the 40-person development team, including the Vice President of Gift Planning, Vice President of Member and Donor Relations, and Director of Major Gifts.
Set clear direction, priorities, and measurable goals for development personnel, fostering transparency, communication, collaboration, excellence, and professional growth.
Oversee development-team hiring, training, job descriptions, and performance reviews.
Strengthen the Aquarium’s culture of philanthropy and raise its regional, national, and global visibility and reputation.