ABOUT THE ROLE
The Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) will lead First Book's comprehensive revenue ecosystem, overseeing fundraising, grants, corporate partnerships, earned income initiatives, and strategic donor engagement. This role will drive sustainable organizational growth by aligning all revenue-generating activities with First Book's mission and long-term strategic priorities. The CRO will also create and implement strategies to drive "Go-to-Market" methodologies to enhance revenue generation, while also providing strategic leadership for the First Book Marketing Department.
As a member of the Executive Team, the CRO will partner with other members of the C-Suite to ensure First Book's mission success. This position plays a critical role in shaping enterprise strategy, financial resilience, and national impact.
WHAT YOU'LL OWN
Revenue Strategy & Leadership
- Develop and execute an integrated, enterprise-wide revenue strategy that meets and exceeds annual and multi-year revenue goals.
- Align all revenue channels-philanthropy, grants, corporate partnerships, and with mission-driven priorities and organizational scaling plans.
Development & Fundraising
- Strategically guide the expansion of major gifts, annual giving, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and government funding portfolios.
- Implement techniques to strengthen donor pipeline development, stewardship, and retention strategies to deepen long-term engagement.
Earned Income & Strategic Partnerships
- Identify, evaluate, and scale earned income opportunities that advance First Book's mission and financial sustainability.
- Cultivate strategic collaborations with corporations and associations to broaden mission reach and impact.
Strategic Marketing Leadership
- Enhance Go-to-Market strategies that directly support revenue generation, including fundraising campaigns, partnership visibility, and program growth.
- Provide strategic guidance to the Marketing Department to ensure consistent branding and storytelling throughout the organization.
Team Leadership & Talent Development
- Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing revenue generation team.
- Establish clear performance expectations, KPIs, accountability systems, and professional development pathways.
Metrics, Reporting & Forecasting
- Monitor revenue dashboards and performance indicators to track progress and identify opportunities.
- Provide regular, data-driven updates on revenue trends, risks, and strategic recommendations.
Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure all fundraising, grant, and income-generating activities adhere to legal, ethical, and nonprofit best practices.
- Maintain strong internal controls and compliance with regulatory requirements.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in business, Nonprofit Management, Finance, Marketing, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years of senior-level experience in revenue generation, development, or fundraising, ideally within the nonprofit or education sectors.
- Proven success designing and implementing multichannel revenue strategies that drive measurable growth.
- Deep understanding of nonprofit fundraising, government and foundation grantmaking, and innovative revenue models.
- Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and performance analytics.
- Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and negotiation skills.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience leading organizations with complex programs and diverse revenue streams.
- Proficiency with CRM systems, donor management platforms, and data-driven fundraising tools.
- Background in education, literacy, or philanthropic initiatives.
CORE COMPETENCIES & LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES
- Strategic and analytical thinking.
- Persuasive communication and negotiation.
- Collaborative leadership with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and external partners.
- Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- Emotional intelligence, empathy, and cultural competency.
CORE COMPETENCIES & LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES
- Strategic and analytical thinking.
- Persuasive communication and negotiation.
- Emotional intelligence, empathy, and cultural competency.
- Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- Collaborative leadership with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and external partners.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
Total Rewards - In compliance with the District of Columbia Wage Transparency Act, First Book will provide the pay range for this position to applicants upon request or as part of the job posting.
Salary Range: $246,750 annually.
All full-time employees are eligible for the following:
- Medical and dental insurance coverage
- Life insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage
- Paid vacation and sick leave
- 12 paid holidays annually
- 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions
- Employer-provided parking stipend (Washington, DC)
TO APPLY
- Submit a resume and a cover letter detailing your interest in this position.
- Only applications submitted through First Book's approved platform will be considered.
- Applications submitted through external or unapproved sites will not be reviewed.
- First Book does not accept unsolicited recruiter submissions and does not pay fees for resumes submitted outside of a formal written agreement.
