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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$190K - $210K *

Lead the charge in enhancing public service delivery and operational efficiency across multiple city departments. Collaborate with stakeholders to implement strategic initiatives that align with the M...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$92K - $118K *

Lead the charge in local grantmaking to drive innovative projects that enhance Jewish education and social services. Collaborate with community partners and stakeholders to measure impact and ensure a...

Reposted 2 days ago

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

$54K - $117K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing university goals through major gift fundraising. This role involves cultivating donor relationships, managing fundraising strategies, and contributing to impa...

2 weeks ago

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

$125K - $150K *

Lead and optimize design calculations for infrastructure projects, focusing on hydraulics and pumping systems. Collaborate with project managers and designers to deliver innovative solutions for water...

2 weeks ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$200K - $240K *

Drive the growth of a new revenue organization, leading membership and high-ticket sales to create scalable, predictable revenue strategies. Build processes, mentor a sales team, and operate at the ex...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Join a mission-driven organization as you lead IT operations, ensuring secure and efficient technology services. Collaborate with stakeholders to modernize systems and enhance service delivery, while...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$200K - $225K *

Create a transformative vision for programs in emergency shelter and supportive housing. Collaborate with leadership to innovate, scale successful initiatives, and enhance organizational impact while...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$133K - $176K *

Transform client success by leading initiatives that identify needs and implement innovative solutions, managing diverse teams for rapid deployment while fostering trusted partnerships and delivering...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $150K *

Partner with us to drive innovative go-to-market strategies with top tech platforms, generating pipeline and enhancing collaboration between sales teams to accelerate revenue opportunities. Elevate yo...

Palo Alto, CARemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Champion your career by leading financial strategy and operations. Collaborate with senior management to enhance fiscal performance, manage budgets, and ensure compliance while fostering stakeholder r...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$108K - $134K *

Unlock the potential of tax-advantaged investments by managing a diverse portfolio, ensuring compliance and performance while collaborating with internal and external partners to mitigate risks and en...

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$125K - $150K *

The Regional Director at ModernFi will work closely with the VP of Institution Success and the CRO to enhance client satisfaction and drive product adoption among bank and credit union clients. This r...

New York, NYRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$170K - $200K *

Champion cybersecurity initiatives by enhancing security measures, addressing vulnerabilities, and implementing robust solutions to protect agency data and infrastructure while collaborating with inte...

5 days ago

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

$130K - $135K *

Lead the strategic direction and operational execution of data analytics, transforming complex healthcare datasets into actionable insights for stakeholders. Oversee a team, ensuring high-quality anal...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's driving transformative impact in philanthropy by shaping strategic outreach and cultivating relationships with foundations and social sector leaders. You'll lead client activation e...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$105K - $120K *

Drive strategic fundraising initiatives to enhance organizational growth and impact. Lead a dedicated team, manage donor relationships, and implement innovative strategies to achieve annual goals whil...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$105K - $120K *

Join a team that's driving impactful fundraising initiatives to empower students. As a strategic leader, you'll manage a dedicated team, cultivate donor relationships, and innovate fundraising strateg...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$105K - $120K *

Unlock potential by leading strategic fundraising initiatives for an education-focused nonprofit. Drive growth, mentor a team, and cultivate donor relationships to achieve impactful results in support...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$105K - $120K *

Empower your career by leading strategic fundraising initiatives for an education-focused nonprofit. Drive growth, mentor a dedicated team, and cultivate relationships with donors to achieve impactful...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$80K - $100K *

Join a team that's driving growth by building strategic partnerships in real estate. Leverage your business development expertise to manage deals and foster relationships with key stakeholders in a fa...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Media

$105K - $120K *

Empower growth by leading strategic fundraising initiatives for an education nonprofit. Drive donor engagement and mentor a dedicated team to achieve ambitious financial goals while fostering impactfu...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$110K *

Join us in leading philanthropic strategy and fundraising for ArtsUNF and MOCA Jacksonville, managing major-gift portfolios and collaborating with diverse stakeholders to secure vital support for arts...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$204K - $215K *

Transform the digital asset lifecycle by leading strategic initiatives and operational excellence, ensuring the availability and usability of media and library assets to enhance storytelling and suppo...

5 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$200K - $250K *

Explore your potential as a senior medical executive leading psychiatric care. Oversee clinical standards, manage staff, and ensure compliance with regulations, while providing hands-on psychiatric tr...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$105K - $115K *

Accelerate growth by leading development efforts in the Metro DC area. Build sustainable revenue pipelines, cultivate partnerships, and advance funding opportunities while collaborating with national...

3 days ago

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

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.