Chief Development Officer

Jan 15

Signal Ohio
Ohio

Anticipated Start Date: 2/17/2025

Description

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) will be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive, enterprise-wide fundraising strategy that supports Signal Ohio’s mission and expanding network of local newsrooms.

Reporting directly to the CEO, the CDO will be responsible to create the fundraising strategy and grow revenue across diverse funding streams, including individual donors, institutional philanthropy, corporate partners, and grants, while building and managing a high-performing development team. This position requires a strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial mindset who thrives in a fast-paced environment. As the architect of Signal Ohio’s fundraising operations, the CDO will oversee pipeline development, ranging from small donors to major contributions, while collaborating with the CEO on high-value opportunities.

The CDO will ensure alignment between market-specific strategies and organizational goals, fostering seamless coordination across teams. The CDO will also cultivate a culture of accountability, innovation, and operational excellence within the fundraising team. By integrating best practices and driving continuous improvement, the CDO will position Signal Ohio for sustainability: growth and long-term success in its mission to deliver impactful, community-driven journalism.

Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy and Execution

Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy that integrates diverse funding streams, including foundation grants, major gifts, small donor contributions, and corporate partnerships. Develop and sustain a robust donor pipeline, fostering strategic relationships with mid-level and high-value supporters to drive meaningful contributions while partnering with the CEO to secure transformational opportunities Set clear revenue goals and implement actionable strategies to drive sustainable growth and statewide expansion, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission.

Team Leadership and Development

Recruit, onboard, and lead a high-performing development team, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented culture. Define clear roles and responsibilities for team members and market leads, ensuring accountability and alignment with organizational priorities. Mentor and empower team members, providing training and professional development to enhance performance and morale. Align team efforts with both regional and statewide initiatives, ensuring seamless integration of fundraising strategies.

Donor Cultivation and Stewardship

Personally cultivate and solicit relationships with donors at all levels, including major gifts and high-value funders, ensuring sustainable and lasting partnerships. Oversee market leads in their donor engagement efforts, ensuring consistency and alignment across all regions. Strengthen relationships with existing donors through personalized communication, stewardship strategies, and tailored outreach.

Grants Management and Operational Excellence

Oversee the grant lifecycle, including identifying opportunities, preparing applications, and ensuring timely reporting with the support of development staff. Maintain compliance with grant requirements and foster strong relationships with institutional funders Implement and manage donor management systems, leveraging data and analytics to assess fundraising performance and refine strategies. Streamline operational processes to enhance efficiency and scalability across all fundraising activities

Requirements

The candidate must have a proven ability to develop and execute transformative, data-driven fundraising strategies that drive sustainable growth, establish diversified revenue streams, and position the organization as a leader in its sector. They must demonstrate an innovative approach to building donor pipelines, cultivating high-value partnerships, and leveraging emerging opportunities to maximize impact.

The candidate must excel in cultivating and maintaining relationships with donors, institutional funders, and corporate sponsors, using tailored strategies to inspire trust, secure lasting partnerships, and ensure sustained engagement
The candidate must possess a demonstrated track record of recruiting, mentoring, and leading high-performing teams, fostering a collaborative culture of accountability, innovation, and excellence to achieve ambitious organizational objectives
The candidate must empower teams with clear communication, opportunities for growth, and strategic alignment to shared goals, driving a results-oriented and motivated workforce
The candidate must have expertise in designing and implementing scalable processes and systems that enhance operational efficiency, streamline workflows, and maximize the impact of fundraising and engagement efforts.

Salary Range and Employee Benefits

$170K-$185K

How to Apply for this Job

melania@broadviewtalent.com

About the Organization

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