Chief Development Officer

CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

LEADING THE CHANGE IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

At Boys & Girls Clubs of King County, we are taking youth programming to a new level. We are a leader in youth development, providing a safe, affordable place for kids and teens during critical out-of-school time. Our Clubs offer life-changing programs and services to more than 26,000 youth throughout the greater Seattle area.

As one of the largest major metro Boys & Girls Club organization in the United States, we have a rich 80 plus year history serving King County youth. If you are passionate about youth development, love to connect with people, have a proven track record of results with youth, and want to be part of an extraordinary team, Boys & Girls Clubs of King County is for you!

OPPORTUNITY OVERVIEW:

The Boys & Girls Club of King County is seeking a bold, results-driven, and innovative Chief Development Officer (CDO) to advance the organization’s strategic priorities in resource development, engagement, and brand visibility. Reporting to the President/CEO, the CDO is a key member of the executive leadership team and will lead a complete transformation of the development function, modernizing all aspects of fundraising, marketing, and community engagement. The CDO will directly manage a team of directors and specialists across major gifts, institutional partnerships, corporate sponsorships, grant development, marketing and communications, volunteer engagement, community outreach, volunteer engagement, and signature events. The CDO will design and execute an integrated vision that attracts, rallies, and sustains a diverse network of donors, partners, and advocates, while working in close partnership with the CEO and Board of Directors to collectively secure and grow future revenue exceeding $15M annually.

The organization benefits from a recognizable brand, strong programmatic outcomes, and a loyal donor base, but current fundraising systems and structures are underdeveloped—offering significant opportunity for growth and modernization under new leadership.

The ideal candidate brings an exceptional track record of securing significant investments, particularly six- and seven-figure gifts, and is deeply connected to King County’s philanthropic, civic, and corporate communities.

The ideal candidate is a dynamic strategist and persuasive communicator, with the ability to craft powerful narratives that captivate diverse audiences and drive philanthropic action. This leader brings a proven track record of securing transformational major gifts, executing multi-channel marketing and communications strategies, and designing highly visible engagement events that elevate brand awareness and community connection. With a keen ability to translate mission into momentum, the successful candidate will mobilize donors, partners, and advocates to fuel organizational growth.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned as the needs of the organization change.

Strategic Leadership & Team Management:

• Architect and execute a transformative fund development roadmap, integrating county wide strategies with local Club fundraising to maximize donor engagement and retention.
• Build and lead high-performing teams across individual, institutional, and corporate giving; marketing; and stewardship.
• Serve as a key advisor to the CEO, Board of Directors, Resource Development Committee, and Club Advisory Boards to elevate fundraising outcomes and community visibility.
• Develop and implement scalable systems to support donor-centered, metrics-driven culture.
• Partner with external consultants, vendors, and partners to support capacity-building efforts.

Fundraising & Revenue Generation:

• Personally, cultivate, solicit, and steward a robust portfolio of major donors, securing six- and seven-figure gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government sources.
• Oversee a balanced fundraising portfolio that includes major gifts, institutional giving, annual fund, and capital campaigns.
• Lead high-impact fundraising events and multi-channel campaigns that inspire investment and expand donor reach.
• Develop compelling cases for support, proposals, and donor engagement materials that inspire investment.
• Create a culture of stewardship that drives long-term donor relationships, recognition, and retention.

Board, Donor, & Community Engagement:

• Partner with the CEO and Board leadership to expand the organization’s donor pipeline, including peer-to-peer outreach and strategic introductions.
• Equip board members with tools and training to actively participate in donor cultivation, stewardship, and fundraising. 
• Cultivate strong community relationships and leverage Board and Advisory Board networks to build organizational ambassadors.

Marketing, Communications & Brand Visibility:

• Develop and implement a compelling marketing and communications strategy across digital, print, and media platforms.
• Ensure consistent brand storytelling that builds awareness and drives philanthropic action.
• Create and execute acquisition strategies to increase enrollment in programs, aligning marketing efforts with organizational growth goals.
• Oversee signature events and public engagements that elevate the organization’s profile and mission.

Operations, Systems & Accountability

• Establish and manage the development budget, forecasts, KPIs, and compliance practices.
• Ensure excellence in database management, donor tracking, and stewardship systems.
• Uphold the highest standards of ethics, donor intent, and transparency.

RELATIONSHIPS:

Internal: Frequent contact with senior management, Club managers, and Board members. Communicate to collaborate and create partnerships, to educate and persuade, and to solicit and provide information within scope of job responsibilities. 

External: Frequent contact with peers in other nonprofit agencies, major donors, and funders.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSBILITIES:

This position supervises the VP of Philanthropy and the Director of Donor Services. The current Development Team has a total of 12 staff.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES :

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of fundraising, development, and communications in a nonprofit agency.
• Principles and practices of strategic planning, project planning, and implementation.
• Marketing, Fundraising, development, and communications best practices and current trends, including new media fundraising options.
• Local regional, and national philanthropic arena, particularly as it relates to potential support for the BGCKC. 

Ability to:

• Manage and lead a team of professionals. 
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit major corporate, private, and/or individual donors and secure large gifts and grants.
• Create high-quality fundraising marketing materials for a variety of audiences.
• Develop and execute special events to support relationship building and fundraising.
• Articulate the BGCKC mission, goals, and stories in a persuasive communication style, with well-honed relationship building acumen, both verbally and in writing.
• Operate desktop computers, including word processing, spreadsheet, database, and specialized software applications, in a network environment.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in non-profit development, with significant responsibility for major gifts, marketing, and community engagement.
• Proven success securing six- and seven-figure gifts across diverse funding sources.
• Direct experience executing large-scale fundraising events, capital campaigns, and annual giving programs.
• Demonstrated track record of leading and scaling high-performing teams and fundraising operations with 7+ years in managing staff.
• Established relationships with King County’s philanthropic, civic, and corporate sectors.
• Experienced in building and sustaining productive donor relationships.
• Experience building and executing integrated marketing, branding, and communications strategies.
• Proven partnership with executive leadership and Boards of Directors.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND TRAINING:

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, or related field required. 
• CFRE Certification a plus
• Proficiency in donor management systems (e.g. Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, etc.)

HOURS: Full Time

LOCATION: This position is based at the King County office in Tukwila with regular in-person collaboration required. Attendance at community events, donor engagements, and evening social functions is an essential and expected part of the role. Some travel within King County and the greater Seattle area for donor meetings and partnership development. There may be additional domestic travel to National and Regional Conferences.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

First year salary maximum is $180,000yr - $200,000 DOE and increases with organization’s success. Health benefits include: Medical, Vision, and Dental, 15 PTO days, paid sick leave, 10 paid holidays, 401k+match, and more!

DISCLAIMER:

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification.  It is not designed to contain, or to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.

All offers are contingent upon passing a thorough background check including a National Criminal History Background check.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

This position is based in the King County office with regular in-person collaboration required.

Attendance at community events, donor engagements, and evening social functions is an essential and expected part of the role. Some travel within King County and the greater Seattle area for donor meetings and partnership development. There may be additional domestic travel to National and Regional Conferences.

While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

This position works in an office, and the noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. This position occasionally works  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, i.e. copier toner.

DISCLAIMER:

This position description generally describes the principle functions of the position and the level of knowledge and skills typically required.  It does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and it is subject to change as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination

Boys & Girls Clubs of King County (BGCKC) is committed to equal opportunity for all employees and applicants.  BGCKC does not discriminate with regards to hiring, assignment, promotion or other conditions of staff employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other status protected under local, state or federal law. 

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, upon request, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of our positions.