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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
Locations
caret down
More
1
caret down

$150K - $180K *

Lead the advancement of high-quality, patient-centered dental care while overseeing clinical standards, quality improvement, and regulatory compliance. Collaborate with leaders to enhance operational...

2 weeks ago

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

$180K - $210K *

Transform your career by leading strategic marketing initiatives that drive growth, enhance client relationships, and elevate brand presence in a dynamic engineering consulting environment. Shape the...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$180K - $210K *

Drive strategic leadership and fundraising efforts while overseeing team operations, community relations, and partnerships. Engage with stakeholders to enhance organizational effectiveness and strengt...

4 weeks ago

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

$80K - $95K *

Champion facility operations by leading maintenance programs and managing diverse teams. Drive strategic initiatives to enhance building performance and ensure compliance with regulations while optimi...

Today

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

$101K - $152K *

Transform financial operations and strategic projects by leading a dynamic team. Drive data analysis, budgeting, and process improvements to align with organizational goals while fostering collaborati...

2 days ago

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

$136K - $160K *

Champion the full business development lifecycle, leading teams in opportunity identification, capture strategy, and proposal development to drive strategic growth across federal and international mar...

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$250K - $250K+*

Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive risk management strategy, advising senior officials and ensuring effective delivery of public services across a diverse portfolio of operations an...

1 week ago

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

$125K - $190K *

Take ownership of change management strategies for enterprise-level transformations, guiding C-suite leaders and running impactful programs across marketing, sales, and service. Shape the future of cl...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$155K - $205K *

Champion process excellence by optimizing workflows and driving cross-functional improvements. Collaborate with teams to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and elevate service quality throu...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$80K - $100K *

Optimize database systems solutions to support client objectives through data analysis and management. Collaborate with teams to enhance production processes and ensure data integrity while developing...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Media

$100K - $110K *

Unlock potential by leading strategic fundraising initiatives that cultivate donor relationships and enhance philanthropic support for academic programs, while collaborating with diverse stakeholders...

Reposted 1 week ago

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

$250K - $250K+*

Empower your career by providing strategic financial leadership for global growth, building a world-class finance function while driving value for stakeholders and investors. Collaborate remotely with...

New York, NYRemote

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$312K *

Join us to lead financial strategy and operations for a thriving, international company. Drive capital deployment, enhance growth, and build a world-class finance team that partners across the organiz...

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$138K - $188K *

Drive your career with a strategic role leading enterprise architecture initiatives. Collaborate with executives to align technology with business goals, optimize investments, and foster innovation ac...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$138K - $188K *

Lead the charge in shaping enterprise architecture strategy and governance. Collaborate with executives to align technology investments with business goals, driving innovation and operational efficien...

3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$105K - $150K *

Champion data excellence by leading a dynamic engineering team to design, implement, and optimize data infrastructures, ensuring alignment with strategic goals while fostering innovation and collabora...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$135K - $160K *

Lead the charge in building innovative care coordination products, driving strategy and execution across provider and payer segments. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure alignment and deliver imp...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$240K - $300K *

Join a team that's driving explosive growth in the SaaS sector! We're seeking a proven leader to scale our company from $30M to $100M ARR, focusing on profitable revenue generation and cross-selling a...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$260K - $312K *

Engage in transformative leadership as a strategic partner, driving operational excellence and aligning enterprise strategies with community health needs. Foster innovation and accountability while bu...

6 days ago

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

$70K - $126K *

Analyze market trends and evaluate acquisition opportunities to drive strategic growth. Collaborate with internal teams to conduct financial modeling and due diligence, supporting Board-level presenta...

Missouri, USRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Engage with key city accounts as a Forward Deployed Engineer to enhance agency operations. You'll configure our platform, develop custom integrations, and foster expansion, creating a playbook for str...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$160K - $200K *

Join a team that's redefining the Software Development Lifecycle and Developer Experience. Lead global strategies, build innovative offerings, and drive transformation for clients, leveraging expertis...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$175K - $210K *

Champion the development of a cutting-edge narrative intelligence platform, overseeing engineering, AI, data, and compliance. Drive organizational strategy and lead a team to enhance persuasive commun...

5 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$79K - $97K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing the Digital Museums Canada program, managing projects, and fostering relationships with cultural organizations. Your expertise will drive improvements and sup...

Gatineau, QCIn-Person

2 weeks ago

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

$80K - $130K *

Elevate your career by building and leading an outbound prospecting team. Drive sales growth through hands-on calling, strategic planning, and coaching while shaping the future of our market approach...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

Today

  •   Less than 5 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.