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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$73K - $115K *

Drive business development initiatives by crafting compelling proposals, RFPs, and presentations. Collaborate with attorneys and marketing teams to enhance client engagement and support corporate prac...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$313K - $340K *

Transform your career by driving strategic initiatives across a multi-asset portfolio. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to evaluate opportunities, support decision-making, and lead market asses...

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$81K - $116K *

Drive excellence in IT support by leading a 24x7 Service Desk operation, ensuring seamless service delivery across multiple tiers while enhancing processes and team performance for optimal user satisf...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $140K *

Tackle IT project management challenges by executing agile and waterfall methodologies. Support enterprise-wide initiatives at a senior level, ensuring alignment with organizational goals through effe...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$250K - $300K *

Lead the charge in digital transformation and IT strategy for a multi-faceted healthcare organization. Drive innovation in technology initiatives, ensuring alignment with clinical and business goals w...

3 weeks ago

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

$200K - $230K *

Elevate the project management landscape by leading the PMO, coaching teams, and ensuring projects align with strategic objectives. Drive excellence in governance, resource allocation, and continuous...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$145K - $175K *

Join our team to drive the technical direction of our Internal Developer Platform, enhancing workflows and tooling for engineering teams. You'll lead multi-quarter strategies, ensuring reliable delive...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$176K - $212K *

Elevate your career by leading residential land development initiatives, driving project management, and fostering strategic partnerships in the Pacific Northwest. Collaborate with diverse teams to id...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$147K - $240K *

Drive data and reporting transformation by defining requirements, managing testing, and ensuring adoption. Collaborate with operations and technology teams to enhance platform capabilities and resolve...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $160K *

Unlock your potential as a trusted advisor, driving growth for credit unions through strategic relationship management and innovative banking solutions across multiple states...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$100K - $120K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing fundraising initiatives, cultivating major gifts, and leading strategic development efforts for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, while collaborating...

6 days ago

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

$100K - $120K *

Advance your career by leading strategic fundraising initiatives, managing a dedicated team, and driving community development efforts across a prominent nonprofit organization. Collaborate with diver...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$120K - $140K *

Transform the future of financial operations by serving as a strategic right hand to the CAO, leading budgeting and risk management for a fast-growing multi-entity company. Drive initiatives that enha...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$100K - $120K *

Lead the charge in regional development, driving strategic donor engagement and revenue growth across diverse regions to meet ambitious fundraising goals. Collaborate with teams to maximize donor cont...

4 weeks ago

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

$118K - $140K *

Transform the financial and operations systems landscape by leading strategic initiatives, driving modernization, and ensuring seamless integration across platforms. Collaborate with stakeholders to e...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$80K - $95K *

Lead the charge in customer implementations by understanding unique needs, driving configuration, and ensuring successful launches. Collaborate across teams to deliver outstanding solutions and suppor...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $115K *

Transform the future of application development by enhancing code quality, ensuring security, and streamlining user support. Join a team to build and maintain innovative data management systems in a f...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $150K *

Champion executive alignment and operational cadence, driving strategic initiatives and OKRs. Collaborate closely with the CEO and CFO to ensure effective decision-making and execution across leadersh...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

Yesterday

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

$80K - $110K *

Join a team that's dedicated to leading global humanitarian programs. Drive strategic initiatives, ensure compliance, and foster partnerships while overseeing program quality and impact. Collaborate w...

Ottawa, ONIn-Person

4 days ago

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

$117K - $157K *

Join a team that's focused on driving financial performance and customer outcomes through effective delivery execution and operational excellence across a defined Professional Services portfolio...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$210K - $255K *

Shape the future of strategic initiatives by partnering with leadership to drive high-impact decisions, enhance execution, and foster cross-functional collaboration across the organization, ensuring a...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$155K - $207K *

Elevate business performance by partnering with the CCO to drive customer retention and revenue growth through strategic analysis, operational excellence, and cross-functional collaboration, ensuring...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$186K - $206K *

Champion enterprise IT service desk operations by managing compliance, performance, and strategic oversight. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure seamless service delivery and continuous improvemen...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$95K - $115K *

Unlock potential by driving economic growth through strategic partnerships and project management. Collaborate with local organizations to enhance regional development, leveraging energy expertise to...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$85K - $102K *

Empower communities by leading initiatives to create a sustainable food system. Oversee strategic planning, policy development, and partnerships to enhance food access and support local economies, whi...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

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.