City Union Mission seeks an accomplished and visionary Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead our fundraising, donor engagement, marketing, and brand strategy initiatives. As a critical member of the executive leadership team, the CDO will shape the Mission’s financial future by designing and executing innovative fundraising strategies to meet and exceed annual revenue goals. This role is ideal for a strategic leader with a passion for building impactful relationships, enhancing the donor experience, and positioning the Mission as a leader in the nonprofit sector.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Strategic Fundraising and Revenue Growth:
Lead the development and execution of comprehensive fundraising strategies, including major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, planned and monthly giving, annual campaigns, special events, and digital fundraising.
Set and achieve ambitious fundraising targets to support the Mission’s operational and strategic goals, ensuring a diversified and sustainable revenue base.
Spearhead capital campaigns, guiding all phases from initial planning to successful completion to fund new programs and facilities.
Donor Relations and Stewardship:
Cultivate and steward relationships with high-net-worth individuals, corporations, and foundations, delivering personalized engagement, recognition, and impact reporting.
Utilize data-driven insights to analyze donor behavior, refine segmentation, and develop tailored engagement strategies that foster long-term commitment and donor loyalty.
Design a robust donor pipeline that prioritizes acquisition, retention, and growth, ensuring sustainable revenue development.
Brand Strategy and Communications:
Lead the Mission’s brand strategy, collaborating closely with the Creative and Marketing team to craft compelling narratives that communicate the Mission’s impact and values.
Oversee the creation and execution of marketing and communications materials, ensuring consistent and inspiring messaging across all digital, print, and public channels.
Stay ahead of trends in nonprofit marketing, utilizing social media, storytelling, and digital advertising to enhance brand visibility and public engagement.
Volunteer Program Engagement:
Support the volunteer program to deliver a best-in-class experience, positioning volunteers as vital ambassadors of the Mission through strategic engagement.
Collaborate with other departments to create meaningful volunteer opportunities that align with the Mission’s goals.
Team Leadership and Development:
Mentor and inspire the Development team, fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture that drives innovation and excellence.
Identify and promote professional development opportunities, equipping staff with the skills and knowledge to excel in their roles.
Implement performance metrics and accountability standards to ensure team alignment with the Mission’s strategic objectives.
Budgeting and Financial Oversight:
Lead the development department’s budgeting process, aligning financial planning with strategic priorities to optimize resource allocation and maximize impact.
Oversee the financial performance of the Development department, ensuring prudent management of funds and achievement of revenue targets.
Set and monitor quarterly Development goals in conjunction with cross-department objectives to drive organizational success.
Innovation and Trends in Fundraising:
Stay at the forefront of industry trends, continuously exploring new approaches to fundraising, donor engagement, and marketing.
Leverage current technology, including AI, and data analytics to enhance donor experience and fundraising effectiveness, driving informed decision-making and strategy refinement.
Represent the Mission at conferences and seminars, bringing back insights and best practices to elevate our fundraising efforts.
Cross-Department Collaboration:
Foster strong relationships across the Mission, working collaboratively with other departments to integrate fundraising and development efforts into broader organizational strategies.
Ensure alignment between development initiatives and overall Mission goals, creating synergies that amplify our impact in the community.
City Union Mission Requirements:
Be a born again, mature Christian able to clearly communicate the Gospel as opportunities arise during the workday. (1 Peter 2:21, 3:15)
Have a desire to serve the Lord through widely varied responsibilities to advance ministry to those currently homeless, and the urban poor of Kansas City, with a compassionate heart.
Agree to City Union Mission’s Statement of Ministry:
Be a genuine believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, as expressed by personal testimony and conduct.
Be a member in good standing of a recognized protestant, evangelical church for one year or more.
Have a genuine concern for the ministry of City Union Mission.
Have a minimum of one year of sobriety from alcohol and drugs and six months from tobacco.
Agree to abstain from alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, and tobacco while employed by City Union Mission.
Have a lifestyle that is free of sexual sin as clearly defined in the Bible.
Required Skills/Abilities:
Have good communication skills both written and verbal.
Have a working knowledge of planned giving, grant writing, the Missouri Tax Credit program, digital strategies and marketing.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Business, Marketing, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
Minimum of 7-10 years of proven success in nonprofit fundraising, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
Demonstrated track record of achieving significant fundraising targets and scaling revenue streams.
Exceptional leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to inspire donors, volunteers, and staff.
Expertise in brand management, marketing strategy, and leveraging digital tools for fundraising and engagement.
Strong financial acumen, with experience in budgeting, financial oversight, and strategic planning.
Passion for the Mission’s work and a commitment to advancing its values and impact.
Key Competencies:
Visionary Leadership and Strategic Thinking
Donor-Centric Approach and Relationship Management
Data-Driven Insights and Analytical Decision-Making
Collaborative Team Leadership
Innovative, Forward-Thinking, and Results-Oriented
Physical Requirements:
Prolonged periods of sitting/standing/kneeling, etc.
Must be able to operate a vehicle to attend events or other related functions
Travel Requirements:
Ability to drive to our campuses and meet with donors in the Kansas City metro and attend national conferences and events as needed.
