Chief Development Officer - Common Sense Media
About The Position
Common Sense Media is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the research-backed information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the age of apps, algorithms, and AI. We rate, educate, and advocate for policies to protect and prepare kids online. Our ratings, research, and resources reach more than 150 million users globally, over 1.4 million educators, and more than 100,000 schools worldwide every year. Learn more at commonsense.org . The Chief Development Officer (CDO) provides strategic leadership and guidance for the development department, while supporting the President and Board Chair. The CDO is responsible for building a multi-year sustainability strategy to deepen, diversify, and support the organization’s $35M annual budget. This executive-level role involves managing and motivating a team of skilled fundraising staff, developing both existing and new relationships and strategic partnerships, and ensuring the achievement of Common Sense Media’s mission and goals.
Requirements
- 15+ years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience, with proven success leading fundraising teams and operations of similar scope, size, and complexity.
- Demonstrated track record managing a major gift portfolio, securing major gifts of $1M+ and building sophisticated, multi-year fundraising strategies.
- Experience managing comprehensive development operations including foundation relations, major gifts, individual giving, planned giving, and fundraising events.
- Entrepreneurial, energetic, and resilient leadership style that inspires teams and builds authentic and long-lasting donor relationships.
- Strategic thinker who thrives in a mission-driven, collaborative environment.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders, from grassroots supporters to corporate leaders.
- Bachelor's degree required.
Responsibilities
- Lead and Execute Comprehensive Fundraising Strategy
- Develop and drive the organization's strategy across all development revenue streams: foundation grants, major gifts, individual giving, regional engagement, planned giving, and fundraising events.
- Create and implement multi-year plans to sustain and grow the $35M, budget while exploring innovative revenue sources aligned with organizational priorities.
- Partner with the President and CEO/Chair to align fundraising with the mission and programmatic goals.
- Build Transformative Relationships
- Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward a major gifts portfolio of 50+ prospects with the capacity to give six- and seven-figure commitments.
- Lead foundation partnership strategy, managing relationships with current supporters while developing a pipeline of new institutional funders.
- Oversee individual giving operations, growing annual revenue from $5M to $10M+ over five years.
- Steward existing regional advisory councils in currently active markets (SF, LA, Silicon Valley, and NYC) and explore activating new councils in emerging markets (e.g. Texas, Georgia, Chicago).
- Inspire and Lead a High-Performing Team
- Lead, mentor, and inspire a diverse team of development professionals through ambitious goals, fostering a culture of relationship-centered philanthropy, collaboration, excellence, and supporting professional growth.
- Manage geographically distributed staff focused on major gifts, foundations, regional engagement, planned giving, and operations.
- Partner with Board Development Committee to cultivate board members as fundraising ambassadors.
- Drive Organizational Impact
- Translate the research, advocacy, and education work into compelling narratives that inspire philanthropic investment.
- Provide strategic oversight on donor communications and external stakeholder engagement.
- Deliver regular analytics and revenue forecasts to the President, Executive Team, and Board.
- Collaborate with Finance to ensure strong pipeline management, grant compliance, and fiscal accountability.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Vacation days: accrue 15 days in first year
- Sick days: 72 hours per year
- Holidays: 7 paid holidays; closes each year for summer break (1-2 business days before or after July 4th) and each winter break (December 25th through January 1st)
- Life insurance and long-term disability
- Retirement 401(k) benefit – matching up to 4% of annual salary
- Health FSA and Health Savings Account
- Home office and fitness reimbursement program
- Commuter benefit program
- Professional development fund
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
