Chief Development Officer

Vivalon•San Rafael, CA

9d•$185,000 - $200,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Vivalon is a mission-driven Marin nonprofit that has been serving the community for over 70 years. Recognized ten times as a Best Place to Work in the North Bay, we are proud to foster a compassionate, innovative, and supportive workplace culture. As a $20 million organization and the largest nonprofit in Marin County supporting older adults and people with disabilities, we help people stay active, nourished, connected, and supported — while ensuring access to essential transportation. Our core services include Rides, Meals, Classes, Care, and Advice. Vivalon is at a pivotal moment that requires a philanthropy-focused financial turnaround. With our transformative new Healthy Aging Campus now open, the community's needs far exceeding current capacity, and philanthropy being the decisive factor in what is possible next, this is a rare opportunity to help lead both stability and expansion. Philanthropy isn’t supporting the strategy — it is the strategy. To drive this work, we are seeking a bold, relationship-driven Chief Development Officer who is inspired by urgency, relevance, and measurable results. You will partner closely with a CEO who is a strong closer — an experienced public speaker and relationship builder who has personally secured dozens of six-figure gifts. This is a leadership partnership built for acceleration and success.

Requirements

Demonstrated success in building and leading multi-year fundraising strategies, especially major gifts
Proven leadership of high-performing teams and strong organizational culture influence
Skill and excitement in periods of growth, evolution, and transformation
Outstanding communication and relationship-building skills
Strong financial and data analysis abilities
Salesforce NPSP experience strongly preferred
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
Minimum 12 years in nonprofit fundraising, including 7+ years leading high-performing development teams and achieving comparable revenue targets

Responsibilities

Design and lead an ambitious multi-year revenue strategy to accelerate contributed revenue growth
Strengthen and innovate all donor channels — major gifts, corporate, foundation, digital, and community giving
Drive external visibility and demand through compelling marketing and communications that amplify impact and scale
Partner with a fundraising-forward CEO to cultivate and close high-value donor relationships
Represent Vivalon as a compelling storyteller, community ambassador, and strategic ally to partners and funders
Create a bold brand and marketing strategy that significantly expands Vivalon’s visibility and reputation
Ensure clear, cohesive messaging across fundraising, programs, media, and events
Strengthen digital presence, storytelling, and content that drive donor engagement and community activation
Use analytics to prioritize investment and maximize marketing ROI
Position Vivalon as a trusted leader in the fields of healthy aging, social connection, and supporting adults with disabilities across the region
Serve as a key member of the Executive Team, shaping strategic priorities and long-term vision
Build alignment and philanthropic engagement throughout the organization
Provide strategic guidance and fundraising insights to the CEO and Board
Define and lead Board fundraising expectations, building the skills, confidence, and accountability needed for meaningful philanthropic engagement
Champion a culture of philanthropic ownership across leadership and staff
Lead and grow a high-performing development and marketing team
Foster collaboration, innovation, learning, and shared accountability
Ensure operational structure and coaching that enable team success
Advance a relationship-first philosophy that builds long-term donor trust and investment
Create comprehensive stewardship approaches that celebrate impact
Strengthen the donor pipeline and ensure Board members are confident and engaged fundraising partners
Support the Board with clear expectations, tools, and coaching to increase year-over-year philanthropic participation
Maintain strong systems for donor tracking, reporting, and analytics
Utilize technology that enhances donor experience and operational excellence
Manage budgets aligned with revenue strategy and organizational priorities
Share clear data and forecasting updates with the Executive Team and Board leadership
Drive an ambitious multi-year revenue acceleration, including doubling annual contributed revenue from approximately $2M in FY25 to $4M within four years
Other specific targets will be determined collaboratively with the CDO based on opportunity and data.