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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$110K - $130K *

Lead regional Field Services operations, ensuring safety, compliance, and quality. Oversee Area Compliance Managers, manage budgets, and foster customer relationships to drive productivity and profita...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$110K - $130K *

Lead and inspire a team to ensure safety, compliance, and operational excellence across multiple sites. Drive strategic initiatives, manage budgets, and foster strong client relationships while overse...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$170K - $200K *

Lead the VDCO practice by driving innovation and digital transformation in AEC. Oversee multidisciplinary teams, manage client relationships, and implement cutting-edge technologies to enhance project...

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$150K - $180K *

Take ownership of bookings growth in the Healthcare vertical across the North Central region. Lead and develop a team of sales representatives, driving strategy and execution to expand enterprise cust...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $120K *

Transform market expansion efforts by managing public affairs for new campus openings. Collaborate across teams to enhance stakeholder engagement, ensuring successful launch events aligned with strate...

3 weeks ago

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

$120K - $158K *

Unlock potential by leading complex, cross-functional technology projects. Manage project planning, execution, and stakeholder collaboration to drive successful outcomes in a fast-paced environment fo...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $100K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing financial operations and reporting. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure accurate financial management, streamline workflows, and support decisio...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Lead and drive strategic initiatives in MDM, Data Quality, and Governance. Oversee program delivery, manage resources, and ensure operational excellence across multiple projects while coordinating wit...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $150K *

Drive full-cycle sales for global clinical operations, fostering client relationships and developing strategic plans for service growth in alignment with company objectives...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $98K *

Grow your career by leading efforts to build relationships with alumni and donors, driving fundraising initiatives that support students and advance the mission of the College. Collaborate with leader...

3 weeks ago

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

$298K - $340K *

Join a dynamic team to lead strategic statistical programming initiatives, ensuring top-quality deliverables and compliance across diverse clinical trials. Collaborate with cross-functional partners t...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$115K - $130K *

Lead the charge in driving growth by developing strategic relationships with key corporate clients. This role focuses on customer acquisition and requires a proactive approach to sales and business de...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$83K - $114K *

Support sustainable water management by analyzing and managing irrigation data. Collaborate with a team to enhance decision-making processes and ensure data integrity for Alberta's agriculture sector...

Lethbridge, ABIn-Person

2 days ago

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

$105K - $176K *

Lead and enhance a comprehensive fundraising program driving annual giving, major gifts, and events to maximize support for the organization, while managing operations of the foundation and cultivatin...

Reposted today

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

$160K - $165K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of healthcare data solutions. As a key player, you'll design a unified data architecture that enhances analytics and decision-making across health brands, ensurin...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $135K *

Unlock new business opportunities by leveraging your established CRE network. Drive partnerships and accelerate deal cycles across key U.S. markets while collaborating with internal teams to refine sa...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$225K - $337K *

Elevate technology governance and program management by leading risk and regulatory initiatives, ensuring accountability and transparency across teams while managing dependencies and delivering strate...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$225K - $337K *

Lead the charge in transforming technology governance and program management, ensuring effective risk oversight and regulatory compliance while fostering collaboration across teams to achieve strategi...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$225K - $337K *

Transform technology governance and program management, ensuring effective execution of risk and regulatory initiatives. Lead cross-functional teams, manage dependencies, and provide transparent repor...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$180K - $190K *

Join a team that's redefining audience engagement through innovative marketing strategies and creative content. Lead a skilled team dedicated to maximizing impact and growing audiences, while ensuring...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

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

$120K - $145K *

Transform data center projects by leading cross-functional teams, managing timelines, and ensuring successful deployments. Drive customer success post-launch while capturing insights to enhance future...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$90K - $110K *

Empower the financial health of a diverse real estate portfolio by overseeing asset management operations, ensuring compliance, and enhancing property management strategies to optimize performance and...

2 weeks ago

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

$130K - $155K *

Optimize Oncology Early Development processes by driving continuous improvement, ensuring compliance, and enhancing operational efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement innovat...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Lead and inspire strategic initiatives to mobilize support, enhance revenue streams, drive mission impact in maternal and child healthcare, and manage talent development for a dynamic team in a design...

3 weeks ago

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

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in strategic planning and execution to elevate maternal and child health impact. Oversee revenue growth, volunteer engagement, and staff development while fostering partnerships and co...

Tampa, FLRemote

3 weeks ago

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

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.