Chief Development Officer

Company: Bridge Over Troubled Waters
Location: Boston
Posted on: April 13, 2025

Job Description:

WHO WE AREBridge Over Troubled Waters (Bridge) is Boston's foremost agency providing age-appropriate services for homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth. Nowhere else in Boston can young adults take classes towards their GED, find a job with the assistance of a workforce developer, consult a professional counselor, or enter a cooperative apartment - all under the same roof. For over 50 years, Bridge has provided effective and innovative services to help youth avoid a lifetime of dependency on social services, guide youth towards self-sufficiency, and enable youth to transform their lives and build fulfilling, meaningful futures.WHAT YOU'LL DOAs we wrap up a $50M 5-year campaign, we are seeking a Chief Development Officer (CDO) to build upon our solid funding base, lead a talented team, serve as a key partner to our CEO, and mobilize excitement for Bridge's mission and work. This position will sit on the senior management team and play an important role in setting the strategic direction and evolution of the organization. Specifically, the CDO will:Design, implement, and lead a fund development strategy that drives growth and sustainability.

• In close partnership with the CEO, development team, and board of directors, lead fundraising efforts to grow annual budget (currently $12M) through the engagement of foundation, corporate, government, and individual donors.
• Ensure high-quality and strategic donor management, inclusive of maintaining a robust pipeline, guiding CEO's time spent on fundraising, and personally managing a portfolio of major donors.
• Supervise, coach, and develop a 5-member team comprised of a Development Manager, Grants Writer, Annual Giving & Events Manager, Communications Manager, and Data Specialist.
• Build and strengthen development operations, inclusive of high utilization of donor database and consistent processes for donor data and moves management tracking, pipeline management, and reporting.
• Guide the development and communications team in the creation of high-quality proposals, grant applications, and reports for foundation, corporate, and government donors, as well as other public-facing communications (e.g., written appeals, annual report, newsletters, social media).
• Play a hands-on role in increasing the currently 15-member board of directors' fundraising capacity; leverage board members' time and relationships strategically in identifying, cultivating, and stewarding donors.
• Oversee the production of Bridge's annual gala and other cultivation events throughout the year.Serve as a senior leader, department head, and steward for Bridge's mission and values.
  • As a member of the senior management team, contribute to defining and advancing the organizational strategic direction, prioritization, and goals.
  • Oversee all administrative duties of the development department, e.g. staffing, budget creation, expense monitoring.
  • Lead direct reports in creating clearly defined goals and work plans, as well as foster a team culture of accountability and collaboration.
  • Ensure that all fundraising strategies are developed through a lens that centers and uplifts the voices, backgrounds, and experiences of the youth and communities we serve.WHO YOU AREThe CDO position calls for:
    • An enthusiastic champion for Bridge's mission and values. You are inspired to join a team that values compassion, responsibility, inclusion, dedication, genuineness, and -- above all -- engaging vulnerable youth with the goal of helping them pursue a path to safety and a bright future.
    • An experienced development and nonprofit leader. You bring at least 15 years of experience and demonstrated success in securing 5-7+ figure funds from individual, foundation, corporate, and government donors. You enjoy both the front-facing and behind-the-scenes aspects of fundraising.
    • A strategic thinker with the ability to implement tactically. You approach fundraising through an analytical and data-driven lens and are hands-on in translating strategy into tangible activities and goals. You integrate fundraising best practices with new thinking and approaches.
    • A compassionate people manager who leverages individuals' strengths and fosters collaboration. You have at least 5 years of experience in managing and coaching direct reports for high performance and accountability. You create a positive team environment and rally others around a shared vision.
    • A thoughtful relationship builder who develops rapport easily and fosters long-term connections. You have a warm, energetic, and authentic personality that translates to building lasting relationships with a range of personalities. You have a track record in deepening existing donor relationships and developing new ones.
    • A compelling writer, presenter, and communicator. You are skilled in analyzing, breaking down, and communicating ideas in ways that inspire others to action. You leverage data and stories to create narratives that articulate the 'why' behind an organization's mission and impact. Grant writing and reporting experience is required.
    • A well-organized and resourceful project manager. You have a proven ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, while maintaining a high level of professionalism and commitment to deadlines. You have exceptional follow-up skills and use technology to keep self and others on track.
    • A flexible team player who is able to roll with change. You thrive in a lean nonprofit setting with the ability to stay focused and nimble in the face of growth and change. You pivot when needed, pitch in without being asked, and maintain a high degree of flexibility in a dynamic environment.SALARY AND BENEFITSThe salary for this position is in the range of $190,000 - 200,000. Benefits include:
      • Paid time off (sick time, vacation time, personal time) as well as 13 paid holidays and a birthday holiday.
      • Health, dental, and vision insurance.
      • 401(K) with 3% matching of contributions after one year of employment.
      • Employer sponsored flexible spending accounts, commuter pre-tax benefits, employer paid short-term disability, long term disability and life insurance.TO APPLYPlease apply with your 1) a cover letter that conveys why Bridge Over Troubled Waters' work excites you and 2) your resume. Please address your cover letter to Elisabeth Jackson, Chief Executive Officer. We review applications on a rolling basis and strive to get back to applicants within two weeks.Bridge Over Troubled Waters has retained DH Search to support the hiring of a Chief Development Officer. DH Search is a national search firm that works exclusively with nonprofits and mission-driven organizations to recruit and hire extraordinary people. Learn more at www.dhsearch.net
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Keywords: Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Hartford , Chief Development Officer, Executive , Boston, Connecticut