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

$90K - $218K *

Drive impactful federal IT and cybersecurity programs while leading diverse teams, ensuring quality and performance. Enhance stakeholder engagement and oversee financial metrics to deliver success in...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$120K *

Innovate the future of AI partnerships by driving revenue through strategic partner relationships and self-sourced enterprise accounts. Lead full sales cycles, collaborate cross-functionally, and shap...

Massachusetts, USRemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K *

Join a dynamic team to drive business development by converting partner leads and building a self-sourced pipeline in enterprise sectors. Collaborate with partners and clients to enhance AI implementa...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $140K *

Advance business development efforts by converting partner leads and building new pipelines in target industries. Collaborate with leadership to drive sales cycles and foster relationships within the...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$73K - $90K *

Empower fundraising efforts through meticulous donor data management, event planning, and grant support. Collaborate in a dynamic environment to enhance community engagement and drive philanthropic in...

2 weeks ago

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

$100K - $119K *

Drive the strategic direction of Development Services by managing programs, overseeing compliance, and enhancing operational efficiency. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure effective service deliv...

1 week ago

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

$90K *

Champion annual philanthropy and development operations by leading strategies to enhance donor engagement, retention, and fundraising effectiveness while fostering a collaborative and innovative team...

4 weeks ago

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

$130K - $160K *

Champion operational excellence by leading HR and operations functions, overseeing employee lifecycle processes, and advising senior leadership on strategic initiatives to enhance organizational healt...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$71K - $91K *

Engage in project coordination by organizing and managing documentation, supporting project managers, and ensuring compliance with construction standards. Collaborate effectively to drive project succ...

Edmonton, ABIn-Person

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$80K - $95K *

Champion the success of diverse organizations by transforming their operations through effective implementation and configuration of technology solutions, leveraging your association expertise and cus...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in delivering scalable SaaS solutions by managing multiple engineering teams, driving performance, and aligning technical outcomes with customer objectives to enhance operational excel...

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$95K - $115K *

Shape the future of analytics by developing and maintaining our reporting platform. Collaborate with stakeholders to create insightful dashboards and reports while ensuring data governance and pipelin...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$96K - $130K *

Engage with executive leadership to streamline operations, manage logistics, and enhance decision-making processes. Collaborate across departments while leveraging AI tools to automate tasks and impro...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$220K - $270K *

Drive the vision and governance of a comprehensive Salesforce ecosystem, ensuring alignment between IT and business functions. Lead strategic initiatives, optimize processes, and enhance user adoption...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $150K *

Pioneer impactful financial leadership by enhancing processes, managing accounting operations, and driving business growth through strategic insights. Collaborate with executive teams to ensure accura...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$130K - $140K *

Take ownership of financial strategy and operations as the primary advisor to leadership. Lead budgeting, reporting, and audit processes while building robust systems and ensuring compliance, driving...

3 weeks ago

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

$244K - $336K *

Join a team that's driving impactful change in life sciences. In this pivotal role, you'll translate strategy into execution, manage complex initiatives, and enhance operational effectiveness to accel...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Drive the future of portfolio management by overseeing project alignment, governance, and strategic planning. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance tools and processes, ensuring effective...

3 weeks ago

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

$100K - $120K *

Lead the charge in major gift development, collaborating with diverse stakeholders to enhance fundraising efforts for the Center for Healthy Minds, while fostering relationships with donors and ensuri...

2 weeks ago

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

$100K - $120K *

Advance the annual and major gifts program for a leading research center, collaborating with diverse stakeholders to secure funding and foster donor relationships, while contributing to a mission of p...

Madison, WIRemote

2 weeks ago

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

$183K - $305K *

Join a team that's driving drug development excellence by leading cross-functional teams, managing strategic plans, and mentoring talent. Leverage your extensive program management expertise to influe...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$85K - $100K *

Transform our community by leading strategic initiatives, managing operations, and developing programs. Lead a dedicated team while ensuring exceptional resident experience and fostering a thriving, i...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$180K - $220K *

Join us to lead the strategic management and optimization of software systems across a global organization, ensuring reliability, innovation, and efficiency while fostering strong partnerships between...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $95K *

Oversee integrated case management operations, ensuring coordinated care for individuals with complex needs. Lead a diverse team, manage performance, and collaborate across programs to enhance patient...

2 weeks ago

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

$352K - $473K *

Join a team that's redefining Cloud Success by driving strategic operations, enhancing customer experiences, and leveraging AI insights. This role requires a visionary leader to build scalable systems...

Reposted yesterday

  •   8 - 10 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.