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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$160K - $200K *

Unlock potential by leading financial strategy and operations for a multi-entity organization. Drive profitability, compliance, and growth initiatives while overseeing financial governance and executi...

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$115K *

Inspire a donor-centered culture as you lead a team to execute a multi-year advancement strategy, managing major gift prospects and fostering innovation in fundraising efforts across Missouri...

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$180K - $220K *

Deliver engineering-grade project outcomes by leading a scalable team handling LNG, gas-to-power, and petrochemical projects. Ensure quality and timely execution while managing client relationships an...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$125K - $131K *

Lead the strategic development of donor relationships, enhancing engagement and revenue growth through innovative stewardship and targeted prospecting. Collaborate across teams to optimize donor journ...

5 days ago

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

$90K - $105K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing program effectiveness through strategic evaluation and learning. Lead initiatives that measure impact, foster continuous improvement, and provide actionable i...

5 days ago

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

$210K - $250K *

Drive enterprise data strategy and governance to transform data into a strategic asset. Lead the Data Office, modernize data ecosystems, and foster a data-driven culture across the organization, ensur...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$125K - $150K *

Reimagine infrastructure and operations by leading transformation initiatives. This strategic role oversees cloud strategies, ensures operational resilience, and nurtures talent in a regulated environ...

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$141K - $169K *

Champion the development and delivery of data products, collaborating with stakeholders to translate business needs into actionable roadmaps. Drive product vision, prioritize backlogs, and ensure effe...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$147K - $176K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of data products. As a Manager, you'll drive the vision and implementation of data solutions, collaborating with stakeholders to enhance data accessibility and go...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$250K - $350K *

Shape the future of biopharma by leading strategic partnerships that drive innovation in tissue-targeted medicines. Own the full deal cycle, from lead generation to negotiations, and collaborate with...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $95K *

Lead the charge in program development and strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and funding requirements while overseeing a diverse portfolio and enhancing evaluati...

St. John's, NLIn-Person

4 days ago

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

$115K - $130K *

Drive national fundraising strategy and donor engagement to secure vital support for survivors of gender-based violence. Collaborate with leadership to enhance revenue growth and build a strong cultur...

Toronto, ONRemote

2 weeks ago

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

$115K - $130K *

Elevate your career by leading national fundraising strategies and donor engagement efforts. Drive revenue growth and build strong relationships to support survivors of gender-based violence across Ca...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

2 weeks ago

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

$82K - $103K *

Join a team that's transforming client relationships through innovative business and technology solutions while leading account managers to ensure operational excellence and exceptional client satisfa...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$160K - $200K *

Lead the charge in financial strategy and operations, ensuring compliance and accuracy in reporting while driving revenue cycle efficiency. Collaborate with senior leadership to achieve operational an...

2 weeks ago

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

$83K - $107K *

Shape the future of healthcare by overseeing financial and operational management across Dermatology and Dentistry. Lead a team to enhance revenue cycles, optimize workflows, and ensure compliance wit...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $150K *

Pioneer the future of technology strategy and execution in a C-suite role, leading the agency's tech vision, architecture, and innovation. Drive growth through proprietary platforms, AI integration, a...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Media

$200K - $340K *

Optimize operational excellence by leading strategic initiatives, enhancing member services, and fostering high-performing teams to achieve organizational goals and drive growth in a mission-driven en...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$85K - $95K *

Transform data into actionable insights by leading comprehensive analysis and reporting initiatives. Collaborate across departments to optimize data systems and enhance decision-making through advance...

2 weeks ago

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

$122K - $188K *

Champion the implementation of a robust Data Governance Program, ensuring effective data management, risk mitigation, and collaboration across investment and operations teams to elevate organizational...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$150K *

Champion growth in defense markets by identifying and securing new opportunities. Engage with government clients, lead negotiations, and collaborate across teams to align products with military specif...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$150K - $180K *

Elevate your career by joining a dynamic team that drives innovation and excellence. Contribute to impactful projects while collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve strategic goals and enh...

California, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Elevate our business development efforts by driving revenue growth and strategic partnerships in preconstruction and technology-enabled construction solutions across diverse sectors. Lead initiatives...

2 weeks ago

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

$100K - $120K *

Lead financial operations by managing budgets, audits, and fundraising efforts. Collaborate with leadership to drive organizational effectiveness and ensure adherence to financial policies while suppo...

Mississauga, ONIn-Person

3 weeks ago

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

$137K - $195K *

Lead service delivery excellence by managing customer accounts, driving integration, and ensuring profitability through collaboration within diverse teams while maximizing client satisfaction and opti...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information 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.