Chief Development Officer (CDO) Jobs

Explore Chief Development Officer jobs for experienced leaders ready to shape organizational growth, revenue strategy, and long-term development. CDOs build and lead initiatives that expand an organization’s reach, strengthen partnerships, and create sustainable funding or business opportunities. Browse vetted professional roles paying $100,000 or more on Ladders.

What Does a Chief Development Officer Do?

A Chief Development Officer sets the strategy for organizational development and turns high-level goals into measurable results. Depending on the organization, the role may focus on fundraising and philanthropy, business development, strategic partnerships, or market expansion. CDOs typically work with executive teams and boards, oversee development staff, manage major stakeholder relationships, and track performance against growth targets.

Common CDO Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute strategies for revenue growth, fundraising, or organizational expansion.
  • Build relationships with donors, investors, customers, community leaders, and strategic partners.
  • Identify new markets, funding sources, and partnership opportunities.
  • Lead, coach, and develop business development or fundraising teams.
  • Collaborate with the CEO and other executives on planning, budgets, and organizational priorities.
  • Monitor performance metrics and communicate progress to leadership and stakeholders.

Qualifications for Chief Development Officer Roles

Employers often seek senior professionals with a record of delivering growth and leading teams. Requirements vary by industry and whether the position centers on nonprofit development, commercial growth, or partnerships. Common qualifications include extensive relevant experience, strong financial and strategic planning skills, executive communication, and the ability to build trusted relationships. Some roles prefer an advanced degree or specialized experience in areas such as major-gift fundraising, corporate partnerships, or business development.

Chief Development Officer Salary and Career Outlook

Compensation for CDO roles varies based on organization size, sector, location, and scope of responsibility. Many opportunities offer executive-level compensation, and Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more. Experienced development leaders may progress to broader executive roles, including chief executive, chief operating, or other enterprise leadership positions.

Find Chief Development Officer Jobs on Ladders

Search Chief Development Officer jobs on Ladders to discover senior opportunities aligned with your experience and career goals. Review role expectations, compare opportunities, and find positions where you can lead growth, partnerships, and development strategy.

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$134K - $249K *

Drive your career forward by leading the development and implementation of strategic networking contracts. Oversee negotiations, manage team resources, and support market launches while enhancing heal...

Florida, USRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$140K - $150K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing clinical research by managing complex studies, ensuring compliance with regulations, and leading cross-functional teams to achieve project milestones efficien...

Boston, MARemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Play a key role in delivering impactful solutions by collaborating with product teams, driving architectural decisions, and enhancing shared services. Utilize your extensive experience to tackle compl...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Transform software delivery by leading a skilled team in the execution of DevOps strategies, driving automation, and optimizing cloud infrastructure for performance, security, and resilience across or...

Los Angeles, CARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$80K - $90K *

Pioneer a transformative Donations Management Team, ensuring accurate, secure processing of charitable contributions while leading staff, establishing operational standards, and enhancing donor servic...

Towson, MDRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$185K - $277K *

Engage with senior leadership to drive strategic initiatives, enhance operational efficiency, and foster cross-functional collaboration, ensuring impactful outcomes for the People team and the organiz...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$138K - $201K *

Transform provider analytics by leading data-driven insights for contracting, performance, and network strategy. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance network adequacy and drive strategic...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $170K *

Lead the charge in delivering high-impact project management services, overseeing a remote PMO team to ensure alignment with organizational goals, while driving stakeholder communication and adapting...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $95K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing client relationships and driving retention. You'll collaborate with financial advisors and internal partners to deliver exceptional service and strategic solu...

Pennsylvania, USRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$80K - $95K *

Elevate client relationships by serving as a dedicated contact for elite advisor plans. Collaborate with sales and operations to ensure exceptional service, retention, and strategic support for financ...

Florida, USRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$80K - $95K *

Empower client relationships by managing elite advisor plans, ensuring exceptional service and retention. Collaborate with sales and operations to deliver consultative support, resolve issues, and dri...

Texas, USRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$80K - $95K *

Champion client success by managing relationships with elite advisors and plan clients. Drive retention through proactive support, strategic problem-solving, and collaboration with internal teams to e...

Florida, USRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$80K - $95K *

Empower client relationships by managing elite advisor plans, ensuring exceptional service and retention. Collaborate with financial professionals to deliver tailored strategies, troubleshoot issues...

Texas, USRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$80K - $95K *

Help us enhance client relationships by providing exceptional service and support to financial advisors and plan clients, ensuring retention and satisfaction through proactive problem-solving and stra...

Pennsylvania, USRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$250K - $400K *

Champion innovative research in clinical AI, driving the development of executable clinical logic modules and experiments to enhance decision-making in healthcare. Collaborate with founders and clinic...

Montreal, QCRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$102K - $147K *

Join a dynamic team focused on driving new business and cultivating strategic relationships with C-level executives in Large Enterprises, owning the complete sales cycle to enhance client value and ac...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$185K - $256K *

Join a team that's redefining CMC strategies in life sciences. You'll engage with industry leaders, drive software adoption, and shape market narratives to enhance product lifecycle management and ope...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in optimizing systems for student academic planning, ensuring reliability during peak loads while pioneering innovative, career-oriented pathways and registration experiences for highe...

San Mateo, CARemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$178K - $195K *

Lead critical recovery and rebuild projects from inception to completion, ensuring alignment with scope, budget, and stakeholder needs while coordinating with various agencies and contractors in a fas...

Los Angeles, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$69K - $110K *

Elevate financial strategies by providing expert analysis and support for diverse teams, ensuring compliance and integrity in financial operations while driving impactful decision-making across conser...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$120K - $145K *

Champion the development of clinical operations by managing a network of providers, establishing policies, and enhancing quality programs. Collaborate with leadership to ensure operational excellence...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$180K - $220K *

Shape the future of data privacy as a Data Warehouse & Analytics Architect by leading architectural excellence and technical direction in scalable data solutions while mentoring a collaborative team d...

Washington, DCRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $165K *

Join a mission-driven team to lead broadband initiatives, ensuring every Colorado household has access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet. Drive strategic partnerships, oversee grant programs...

Colorado, USRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$80K - $95K *

Deliver impactful commercial proposals by integrating technical insights, pricing models, and client requirements. Collaborate across teams to ensure precision and clarity in complex project pursuits...

Dallas, TXRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $95K *

Take ownership of complex proposal development, integrating technical and commercial insights to create compelling client-facing documents. Collaborate across teams to ensure precision and clarity in...

Akron, OHRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What is a Chief Development Officer?question toggle

    A Chief Development Officer is an executive who leads an organization’s development strategy. Depending on the employer, that can include fundraising, revenue growth, business development, strategic partnerships, or organizational expansion.

  • What does a Chief Development Officer do?question toggle

    A CDO sets development goals, identifies growth and funding opportunities, builds relationships with key stakeholders, leads relevant teams, and reports results to executive leadership or a board.

  • What qualifications are needed for a Chief Development Officer job?question toggle

    Qualifications vary by sector, but employers commonly look for substantial experience in development, fundraising, business growth, or partnerships; a record of leadership; strategic and financial skills; and strong communication. Some roles require an advanced degree or specialized expertise.

  • How much do Chief Development Officers earn?question toggle

    CDO compensation varies by organization, industry, location, and responsibilities. Ladders features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, including senior leadership opportunities.

  • Where can I find Chief Development Officer jobs?question toggle

    You can browse Chief Development Officer openings on Ladders, which focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more.