Role Description The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is envisioned as a catalyst for transformative change, blending innovative fundraising, sophisticated digital marketing strategies, and a deep commitment to philanthropic culture enhancement. This pivotal role demands a leader who is strategic, innovative, and results-oriented, with a laser focus on meeting and exceeding ambitious fundraising targets. The ideal candidate must embody exceptional leadership and analytical skills, underscored by a rigorous approach to strategic thinking, planning, and execution aimed at achieving a significant increase in fundraising revenue. The CDO will spearhead the organization’s fundraising efforts, embodying a results-oriented mindset with a steadfast commitment to achieving and surpassing ambitious revenue targets. This leadership role is critical in driving the organization toward its financial goals through strategic, innovative, and focused fundraising initiatives, ensuring long-term sustainability and impact. Key Responsibilities - Develop and implement strategies that strengthen fundraising effectiveness, deepen Board engagement, and foster organization-wide support for philanthropy and donor stewardship. - Partner closely with the CEO to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and principal gift prospects. - Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of Mercy For Animals’ highest-capacity donors, foundations, and strategic funding partners, securing transformational gifts that advance organizational priorities. - Lead and mentor the fundraising team, fostering professional development and aligning efforts with the organization's mission and goals. - Manage and optimize CRM systems, notably Salesforce, to enhance fundraising efficiency and effectiveness. - Employ advanced digital fundraising and marketing strategies, including leveraging social media, email marketing, online platforms, and innovative approaches and emerging technologies. - Build strong, collaborative relationships across departments, particularly between public engagement and fundraising and programmatic teams and fundraising, to create integrated campaigns that amplify organizational reach and impact. - Utilize data, forecasting, pipeline management, and performance analytics to drive donor acquisition, retention, revenue growth, and fundraising effectiveness. - Serve as a credible, inspiring leader and spokesperson for the organization, capable of engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, from board members to the broader community. - Build, lead, and develop a high-performing fundraising team through coaching, accountability, talent development, succession planning, and performance management. - Lead the continued evolution of Mercy For Animals' fundraising program, strengthening revenue diversification, organizational capacity, and long-term financial sustainability. Qualifications - Strategist: Lead the development of comprehensive, strategic fundraising plans that align with the organization’s mission and long-term goals. - Results-Oriented: Demonstrated success achieving ambitious revenue goals through a combination of strategic fundraising leadership, donor engagement, team development, and disciplined execution. - Leadership and Innovation: Demonstrated ability to build high-performing teams, lead organizational change, strengthen fundraising infrastructure, and implement innovative approaches that accelerate revenue growth. - Educator and Mentor: Capacity to serve as a mentor, educating the organization and its stakeholders on the importance of philanthropy and best practices in fundraising. - Strategic Relationships: Mastery in cultivating strategic partnerships and fostering interdepartmental collaborations to drive fundraising success. - Expertise in Fundraising and Marketing: Deep knowledge of fundraising mechanisms across a variety of channels. - Analytical and Detail-Oriented: Advanced analytical capabilities, focusing on strategic planning to achieve short-term wins and long-term growth. - Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to inspire, engage, and articulate clear visions and strategies to diverse audiences. - Professional Development: A commitment to continuous learning and development, both personally and for the team. - Mission Alignment & Humility: Demonstrates a deep commitment to Mercy For Animals' mission and values. Requirements - Goal-Oriented Framework Development: Developing strategic frameworks that support ambitious revenue growth and long-term organizational sustainability. - Results-Driven Leadership: Exhibiting a results-driven approach in all aspects of fundraising strategy and execution. - Analytical Rigor and Goal Measurement: Employing rigorous data analysis to inform strategy and measure progress against ambitious fundraising targets. - Scenario Planning for Growth: Engaging in detailed scenario planning to navigate towards the annual revenue goal. - Cross-Departmental Synergy: Leading cross-departmental efforts to ensure fundraising strategies are seamlessly integrated with the organization’s broader objectives. - Results-Oriented Strategy: Directing the organization’s fundraising efforts towards achieving a $20+M annual fundraising target in 2026-2027. - Performance Metrics: Implementing robust performance metrics to track progress towards goals. - Innovative Revenue Generation: Identifying and capitalizing on innovative revenue generation opportunities. - Strategic Investment in Growth Areas: Allocating resources strategically to areas with the highest growth potential. - Executive Presence & Donor Leadership: Significant experience securing and stewarding six-, seven-, and eight-figure philanthropic investments. Demonstrated Expertise - Building and leading a high-performing fundraising organization. - Major and Principal Gifts: Demonstrated success identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding transformational gifts. - Revenue Diversification: Proven ability to diversify revenue streams. - Board fundraising leadership: Experienced in guiding the Board in their fundraising roles and responsibilities. - Analytics and data interpretation: Skilled in analyzing and interpreting data to drive strategic decisions. - Deep knowledge of the key metrics and reports that drive and evaluate fundraising. - Strong budgeting, forecasting, and reconciliation skills. - Demonstrated expertise and deep experience/understanding of all aspects of fundraising. - Donor engagement & retention: Adept at managing the relationship with donors. - Digital Fundraising: Proficient in leveraging digital platforms for fundraising. - Direct mail fundraising: Experienced in using direct mail to raise funds. - Campaigns & Annual Giving: Knowledgeable in managing annual giving campaigns. - Galas & other donor events: Experienced in organizing and executing fundraising events. - Ease with donor communication: Proficient in communicating with donors using various methods. - Salesforce and CRM experience and expertise: Proficient in using Salesforce and other CRM systems. Company Description Mercy For Animals (MFA) believes in a world where animals are respected, protected and free. We are committed to reducing the greatest amount of suffering for the largest number of animals. Our efforts focus on protecting farmed animals—the most abused and exploited animals on the planet—and utilize a broad range of strategic approaches that seek to expose cruelty, implement stronger welfare standards and inspire consumers to make compassionate food choices.