Chief Development Officer

at  Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity

Dallas Habitat seeks a dynamic Chief Development Officer (CDO) to partner with the CEO to attract financial support during a period of anticipated growth. Dallas Habitat requires a savvy executive who can triage funding priorities and lay the groundwork for future fundraising campaigns. Realizing that the most sustainable future lies with the successful solicitation of diverse revenue streams, the CDO must be an expert in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of individuals, corporations, public/government, and foundations. Similarly, the CDO will be expected to work with the Board of Trustees to promote a culture of philanthropy and drive individual giving. More generally, the CDO must attract new support and grow current revenue from corporate philanthropy and sponsorships through meaningful and mutually beneficial partnerships.

DESIRED LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE:

• A creative, resourceful, detail-oriented, and flexible professional executive with a positive attitude, tact, good judgment, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to work well as a team member with employees, community professionals, and volunteers.
• A high-energy, innovative leader with a hands-on and involved style marked by cooperation and a willingness to think creatively.
• A service-oriented person who inspires colleagues, staff, and the community through her/his knowledge, experience, creativity, vision, and dedication to Dallas Habitat’s mission.
• A tenacious leader who measures her/his success against standards of excellence, who consistently sets challenging but attainable goals, and who brings a track record of meeting and/or exceeding those expectations and goals.
• A hardworking individual who fully dedicates her/his energy to a cause and is willing to “go beyond the job description,” including extending extra effort, when necessary, to see projects to successful conclusions.
• A flexible and adaptable leader who can lead transformation and take an organization to new territories.

EXPERIENCE

• Six (6) to eight (8) years of experience in the nonprofit sector is preferred, including ample experience leading and developing a high-performing, comprehensive, multimillion-dollar fundraising program.
• Track record of success across all aspects of fundraising operations, including building the case, cultivating donors, managing effective fundraising and events teams, and soliciting and securing major and leadership-level gifts.
• Experience building and leading a team to success while fostering a culture of accountability, inclusiveness, teamwork, and collaboration with others.
• Proven ability to work with volunteers, community leaders, organizations, and businesses to advocate for and promote the value and mission of Dallas Habitat.
• Experience collaborating with, leading, and managing a Board of Trustees comprised of prominent members of the community.
• History of securing grants, including researching prospective corporations and foundations, making pitch presentations, attending site visits, and maintaining relationships once grants are funded, especially in collaboration with the teammates and Board of Trustees.
• Proven experience in strategic planning, analysis, and vision casting, particularly when devising multi-year revenue generation strategies.

SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• Broad and deep knowledge of fundraising principles to be applied in the implementation of a comprehensive fundraising strategy, incorporating the acquisition of new major gifts and grants, annual appeals, donor cultivation, securing ongoing annual operating funds, and attracting project-based support.
• Skilled at reading people and forging cooperative efforts between and among teammates and other departments of the organization, thereby leading teams to success and fostering a culture of accountability, inclusiveness, teamwork, and collaboration.
• Successful experience in and enthusiasm for donor cultivation and major gift solicitation.
• Strong team-building skills supported by a positive attitude and mature personality conducive to effective interaction with diverse groups.
• Persuasive and articulate communicator with excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills who can represent Dallas Habitat to diverse constituencies.
• Highly organized with the ability to independently handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines and fundraising goals.
• Ability to move comfortably in a wide variety of social settings, including among people of substantial influence and wealth, and the ability to forge solid personal relationships.
• Business savvy, including the ability to assess risk, triage priorities, and influence issues by engaging with internal and external constituencies.
• Demonstrated capability and maturity to protect confidential information and build trust and rapport with prospects and donors/partners for a longstanding, meaningful relationship with Dallas Habitat.
  Dallas Area Habitat is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state and local fair employment practices and laws

Under the general direction of the CEO, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) is responsible for developing, establishing and implementing a strategic plan of private and public sector funding and relational support for the comprehensive services and programs of Dallas Habitat. The integrated development plan will include appropriate funding from: grants; corporations, foundations, individuals, organizations, faith groups, public/government, and associations.
This senior level position works closely with the executive team, board members and colleagues throughout the organization to implement strategies to increase awareness of and support for the organization’s mission and goals. The CDO is responsible for his/her own portfolio of major gift donors; providing leadership and direction for development directors and staff; developing and managing budgets; overseeing development operations including records management; identifying and engaging new funding constituencies.