Chief Development Officer

Location: Remote

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Salary: Competitive based on experience

About the Role
Service to School (S2S) seeks a strategic, experienced Chief Development Officer (CDO) to define, lead, and grow our development program to fund our mission: prepare transitioning military veterans for their next chapter of leadership by helping them gain admission to the best college or graduate school possible.

This is the first dedicated fundraising role for S2S; it’s an important investment for the organization’s future. We are looking for a CDO with experience working with CEOs and Boards (including our founders) during seasons of growth. We have been working with a consultant to identify prospects and set our revenue targets for the next three years, along with associated strategies. The CDO will be responsible for bringing the plan to fruition with the full support of leadership and staff. This is an incredibly exciting position to step into that is poised for success with the right person at the helm.

Technical fundraising skills sought include development program structuring, pipeline development, solicitation, and stewardship with a strong emphasis on major gifts, private foundation grants, and corporate partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

• Activate a fundraising strategy towards meeting annual revenue goals. Manage the staff and leadership that will contribute to the strategy.

• Cultivate and steward relationships with high-net-worth individuals, family foundations, and corporate donors. Creatively match donors and brands with S2S and work with our leadership to do the same with their networks.

• Oversee all aspects of development operations, including pipeline replenishment and management, grant writing, donor communications, donor reporting, database management.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO on philanthropic strategy and represent S2S in high-level donor meetings.

• Ideate, build and execute bespoke fundraising strategies when needed. This might include events or other awareness-raising opportunities.

• Collaborate with the Board of Directors to activate their networks strategically.

• Work with program and communications staff to lead the development of compelling proposals and pitches that reflect S2S’s values, impact, and goals.
  

• Partner with the finance team to ensure accurate budget alignment and grant compliance.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional fundraising experience with a successful track record in major gifts and grants, with specific experience running a development program at a nonprofit. Ideally, with a veteran service organization.

• Demonstrated experience working with Boards and executive leadership in a nonprofit setting.

• Experience building the development functions and resources for a nonprofit.

• Ability to convert 5- and 6-figure gifts. Polished experience with high- and ultra-high net worth individuals.

• Deep experience in foundation fundraising, from relationship management to budget building to proposal writing and reporting.

• Strategic thinker with strong communication, storytelling, and relationship-building skills. Ability to motivate audiences and showcase the mission of S2S.

• Proficient in donor database systems (e.g., Salesforce or equivalent).

• Mission-aligned, self-starter, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, collaborative, remote environment.

• Ability to travel as needed for donor meetings. Role is remote, but quarterly travel should be expected

Apply for the role via the form below: