Chief Development Officer

Human Rights Watch•New York, NY

11d•$350,000 - $400,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) will bring fresh vision and strategic leadership to build on and boldly advance the organization's fundraising, marketing, and donor and community engagement efforts, deepening impact and expanding reach at a pivotal moment for HRW. This is a critical position for the organization and an exciting opportunity to shape and accelerate the fundraising strategy and roadmap for HRW's future, developing and implementing ambitious fundraising, outreach, and constituency building strategies. The CDO must be committed to HRW's mission to take on human rights abuses around the world, communicate passionately about its work, and inspire its staff, volunteer teams, and donors. The CDO will report directly to Executive Director Philippe Bolopion and will serve on HRW's Executive Committee, the organization’s senior leadership team. The CDO will lead a high-performing Development & Outreach Team of approximately 110 staff members, spanning leadership and principal giving, donor committees and council fundraising, Board of Directors engagement, foundation giving, marketing, planned giving, and fundraising systems and data analysis. HRW’s fundraising has grown steadily over the years, and it currently raises approximately $100M annually, with approximately 70% of its revenue from gifts of $100,000+. A focus of fundraising and outreach at HRW has been the HRW Council, a collective of some 20 committees and 1,000 individuals around the world who help fundraise, engage new constituents and potential donors, partner with local organizations to promote human rights issues, and advocate on behalf of HRW and its mission. The CDO will be responsible for growing existing revenue streams and diversifying the organization’s income through principal, leadership and major gifts, institutional funding, marketing, and planned giving to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the organization. The greatest opportunity for the CDO lies in engaging donors at the highest levels to support major strategic work while also determining the optimal level of resources for growing the base of support. In 2024, HRW adopted a five-year Global Strategy to guide the organization’s programmatic and operational direction. In July 2026, the strategy was refined to help position HRW for maximum impact in a rapidly shifting human rights environment. The CDO will shape how HRW grows and diversifies revenue to support the organization’s strategic priorities and deliver on the ambitions set out in the refined strategy. Underpinning all of this is a mandate for stability and steady leadership. HRW seeks a CDO who will lead the function credibly over the long term – reinforcing continuity, strengthening the pipeline, and building the confidence of the Development & Outreach Team. The CDO will partner closely with an engaged Board, providing the structure and clear, well-framed strategies that enable board members to fundraise effectively, and bringing the judgment and gravitas to offer candid counsel to both the Board and the Executive Director. The Executive Director is a highly effective, door-opening presence with donors, and the CDO will amplify that strength through strategic partnership, disciplined preparation, and timely briefings. Finally, the CDO will invest in the Development & Outreach Team itself – building capacity, fostering trust across a distributed group, and marrying HRW's activist passion with professional fundraising rigor.

Requirements

At least 12 to 15 years of fundraising experience, with at least five (5) years of experience in a senior role such as Chief Development Officer, Deputy Chief Development Officer, or equivalent.
A deep commitment to HRW's mission of defending the rights of people worldwide, and the ability to communicate about its work with passion and conviction.
Proven experience leading and motivating fundraising teams in a complex, global organization, setting ambitious objectives, managing performance, and driving results.
Expertise across major gift fundraising, marketing, capital campaigns, and planned giving, with a keen awareness of evolving trends and best practices.
A strong track record of cultivating and closing transformational gifts from major donors, including foundations.
The ability to master, represent, and compellingly communicate the organization's mission and programs to diverse audiences.
A global perspective on philanthropy and the cultural competency to work effectively with staff, donors, and board and committee members across geographies.
An ability to foster an inclusive team culture characterized by creativity, collegiality, mutual respect, and professional growth.
Outstanding oral and written communications skills in English; proficiency in additional languages is a plus.
A data-driven approach to developing, implementing, and measuring fundraising strategies, with a demonstrated ability to drive transformational growth.
Superior analytical, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in additional languages is a plus.

Responsibilities

Play a critical leadership role in shaping the organization's overall strategy and multi-year financial planning, working closely with the Executive Committee and Finance team to align revenue growth with organizational priorities;
Translate those priorities into an ambitious multi-year development and fundraising strategy, developing and implementing compelling plans and campaigns that inspire donors and partners to join HRW in addressing unprecedented challenges to human rights;
Provide strategic direction across all aspects of HRW fundraising and outreach activities, including leadership gifts, foundations, marketing, donor experiences, planned giving, development operations and analysis, donor committees and board engagement;
Represent HRW’s work to donors, prospects, and the Council to cultivate and grow the organization’s base of support;
Set and meet fundraising objectives, monitor and evaluate progress, and pivot strategy as needed to capitalize on emerging opportunities and maximize impact;
Develop comprehensive, ambitious funding proposals that will engage and inspire top-tier donors to make transformational gifts;
Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Development & Outreach Team and across relationships with donors, board, and committee members;
Determine the appropriate short and long-term investments in development, setting budgets, leveraging data analytics, and maximizing revenue while building a robust pipeline of major and planned giving donors;
Collaborate across the organization to ensure development activities are well coordinated with and supportive of organizational priorities;
Support and amplify fundraising efforts of the Executive Director, senior leadership, and Development & Outreach Team;
Sustain and strengthen Board of Directors engagement and stewardship in consultation with organizational leadership;
Lead, motivate and mentor a high performing team, setting clear expectations, establishing performance objectives, providing timely and constructive feedback, supporting professional growth, and attending to staff well- being and resilience;
Foster an inclusive, positive work environment where all staff feel welcome, heard and able to succeed, actively soliciting diverse perspectives, advancing equity and inclusion, and addressing any bias or discrimination proactively;
Perform other tasks as may be required.