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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$120K - $145K *

Join a team that's dedicated to delivering seamless services and projects. Collaborate with diverse professionals to ensure mission success while managing risks and maintaining stakeholder communicati...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $100K *

Drive your career with a leadership role overseeing operations of convenience stores and travel plazas. Lead teams, develop business plans, and implement strategies to maximize sales while ensuring co...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$88K - $287K *

Pioneer innovative AI solutions as part of a collaborative delivery team. Engage deeply with clients, delivering impactful real-time automation for large enterprises, while continuously adapting to ev...

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$88K - $287K *

Seeking experienced Technical Builders to design and deploy AI solutions in enterprise environments, collaborating closely with customer teams to deliver impactful code and customizable tools that enh...

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$88K - $287K *

Join a dynamic team as you design and build AI solutions that drive impactful change in production environments. Collaborate closely with clients to create customized systems, directly contributing to...

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$88K - $287K *

Innovate as a Forward Deployed Engineer, collaborating with teams to design, build, and deploy impactful AI solutions for enterprise customers, leveraging robust tools and technologies to drive sustai...

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$88K - $287K *

Pioneer cutting-edge AI solutions as a technical builder, collaborating closely with delivery teams to co-design and implement innovative agentic systems that deliver measurable impact in live environ...

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$97K - $316K *

Drive innovative AI solutions by building and deploying agentic systems with enterprise clients. Collaborate with technical and strategic experts to craft impactful, production-ready solutions in dive...

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$97K - $316K *

Join a team that's reshaping enterprise AI solutions by designing, building, and deploying real-world applications that drive measurable impacts. Collaborate closely with cross-functional experts to i...

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$97K - $316K *

Drive your career with opportunity as a Forward Deployed Engineer, shaping impactful AI solutions for diverse enterprise clients. Engage in hands-on technical delivery, collaborating closely with stra...

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$97K - $316K *

Drive impactful AI solutions by collaborating with clients to deploy cutting-edge systems across enterprise environments. Engage directly with customers to innovate, build, and deliver real-world appl...

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$88K - $287K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of AI solutions by designing, building, and deploying agentic AI applications in enterprise environments, collaborating with strategic partners and driving impactf...

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$180K - $220K *

Transform a global brand and communications strategy with innovative AI insights. Lead integrated narratives that build trust, drive market growth, and enhance corporate reputation across diverse audi...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $140K *

Lead strategic financial planning and analysis initiatives, driving insights and performance across divisions. Collaborate with senior leaders to enhance budgeting, forecasting, and reporting processe...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$126K - $146K *

Play a key role in designing data architectures and integration solutions, ensuring data integrity and compliance, while collaborating with teams to enhance data governance and optimize analytics for...

3 weeks ago

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

$214K - $274K *

Innovate financial operations by leading a new financial technologies team, modernizing systems, and enhancing strategic decision-making through predictive analytics and automation, ensuring alignment...

Today

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

$100K - $120K *

Transform community operations by leading strategic growth, enhancing resident care, and fostering team development. Drive excellence in service delivery while ensuring compliance and financial health...

Today

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

$100K - $120K *

Champion operational excellence and strategic growth while leading a dedicated team. Drive resident-centered care and community engagement, ensuring a safe, welcoming environment that enhances the liv...

1 week ago

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

$100K - $120K *

Elevate your career by leading high-priority initiatives for the Chancellor's Office. Manage complex projects, coordinate executive stakeholders, and provide strategic support while enhancing institut...

Today

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

$97K - $155K *

Transform financial operations by leading strategic planning, budgeting, and resource management for the School of Medicine, ensuring alignment with academic and operational goals while providing expe...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

6 days ago

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

$180K - $220K *

Join us to drive growth in the Life Sciences sector by leveraging real-world data solutions. This pivotal role requires consultative selling skills and a proven track record in building relationships...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $95K *

Advance the fundraising strategy by leading major gift initiatives, managing donor relations, and enhancing donor retention while driving individual giving growth. Collaborate with teams to ensure a c...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

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

$80K - $95K *

Drive impactful fundraising initiatives, cultivate major gifts, and strengthen donor relationships. Oversee a comprehensive giving strategy, lead campaigns, and enhance organization-wide philanthropy...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

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

$80K - $95K *

Empower Ontario's innovation economy by guiding entrepreneurs and startups. In this dynamic role, you'll identify technologies, foster collaborations, and drive commercialization efforts, all while ma...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$183K - $305K *

Champion cross-functional development teams to drive strategic plans, budgets, and timelines in drug development. Provide operational leadership, mentor junior colleagues, and influence outcomes while...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

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.