Chief Development Officer

Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Mexico•Albuquerque, NM

About The Position

Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Mexico is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through mentorship. We believe every child deserves a champion. Our programs connect caring adult and teen mentors with young people to ignite their potential, creating meaningful relationships in schools and community spaces across the state. The Chief Development Officer (CDO) serves as the agency’s principal fundraiser and strategic leader of the Development Department. The CDO oversees fundraising, marketing, mentor/mentee recruitment, and community engagement. This role manages a team including staff for recruitment, fundraising events, marketing, and grants. As a key advisor to the CEO, the CDO collaborates with staff, supports the Board of Directors, and builds lasting relationships to expand the agency’s reach and impact. Travel throughout the state required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, communications, marketing, public administration, or related field
5+ years of progressive experience in fundraising, donor relations, or nonprofit development
Proven track record of meeting revenue goals and managing donor portfolios
Experience supervising staff and managing cross-functional teams
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Proficiency in CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce)
Ability to manage budgets and analyze fundraising metrics
Comfortable with public speaking and donor engagement
Understanding of donor stewardship, major gifts, and event-based fundraising
Familiarity with marketing and recruitment strategies

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in nonprofit leadership, business administration, or related field
7–10 years in senior development roles with demonstrated success in strategic planning and high-level donor cultivation
Experience working with boards, executive leadership, and community stakeholders
Background in youth services, mentoring, or mission-driven organizations
Advanced knowledge of fundraising software and digital marketing tools
Experience with grant writing and foundation relations
Ability to lead cross-departmental initiatives and drive innovation
Bilingual (Spanish/English preferred)
CFRE (Certified Fund-Raising Executive) or similar credential highly regarded

Responsibilities

Set and execute annual fundraising and recruitment strategies aligned with agency goals
Collaborate with the Executive Team on talent, risk, efficiency, customer service, and strategic partnerships
Ensure gold-standard mentoring practices and maximize innovation, relevance, and ROI
Lead the Development Department to achieve optimal performance
Oversee data analysis, compliance, and performance tracking using scorecards, KPIs, and CRM tools
Provide coaching and training to ensure individual and team goals are met
Develop and implement multi-year and annual fundraising plans with baseline and stretch goals
Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major donors and prospects
Make 10–15 meaningful donor visits per month and convert event donors into long-term investors
Lead donor appreciation and stewardship strategies
Create and execute recruitment plans for mentors and mentees across all programs
Manage partnerships that serve as recruitment pipelines
Develop and execute annual and quarterly marketing plans aligned with BBBSA branding
Oversee all media channels including social media, newsletters, earned media, and email campaigns
Support visibility of programs and impact through strategic communications
Serve on internal and external committees to foster innovation and mission alignment
Engage with BBBS sister agencies and youth-serving organizations
Build local support through networking, events, and strategic partnerships
Support Board members in fundraising initiatives and donor cultivation
Prepare reports for board and senior staff meetings
Maintain confidentiality of donor-related information
Work with the CEO and Business Manager to manage the Development Budget
Lead Senior Directors in creating annual individual giving plans
Discover new revenue streams and adapt to changing philanthropic landscapes