Chief Development Officer

Overview

United WE is seeking a seasoned and visionary fundraising leader to serve as its next Chief Development Officer. This is a pivotal opportunity to join a national nonprofit that has spent more than three decades championing women’s economic mobility and civic influence. With a reputation for shaping conversations in public policy and driving data-informed change, United WE has become a trusted force in the movement to dismantle systemic barriers that limit women’s opportunities.

As the organization enters an exciting phase of growth and expanded national reach, United WE is ready to elevate its philanthropic strategy and deepen its impact across communities.

The Chief Development Officer will play an essential role in accelerating this momentum by building a dynamic, far‑reaching fundraising program. Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer and key stakeholders, the CDO will guide the cultivation of new national supporters while strengthening relationships with long-standing partners. This leader will bring strategic insight, relational expertise, and a passion for advancing gender equity to help secure the resources that fuel the organization’s research, advocacy, and signature initiatives – including the award-winning Appointments Project, which has supported more than 200 women in securing appointments to civic boards and commissions.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced development professional to shape a growing philanthropic enterprise and help broaden the national movement for women’s economic and civic advancement.

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with prospective and existing donors, leading identification, engagement, solicitation, and stewardship of donors to ensure ongoing support and engagement.
• Manage and grow a major gifts portfolio by developing individualized strategies and driving activities that expand donor participation.
• Lead the planning and execution of fundraising initiatives in collaboration with staff and volunteers, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Engage organizational leaders, staff, and volunteers in donor cultivation efforts and personally solicit gifts to advance United WE’s mission.
• Produce donor communications and materials that convey the organization’s purpose, programs, and impact.
• Develop and implement fundraising strategies that align donor interests with organizational priorities and set ambitious, sustainable revenue targets.
• Build effective prospect management processes grounded in national best practices, ensuring accurate and timely documentation of donor activity.
• Partner closely with finance and operations to ensure accurate revenue recognition, reporting, and audit readiness, aligning fundraising activity with accounting standards, donor intent, and regulatory requirements.
• Strengthen relationships with corporations, foundations, and other institutional donors, creating partnership and engagement opportunities that broaden support.
• Collaborate with external partners to plan and oversee fundraising events and special initiatives.
• Work closely with a small, agile team and provide proactive support that aligns with organizational priorities and the CEO’s leadership.
• Represent United WE publicly alongside the CEO, helping elevate visibility and deepen community engagement.
• Integrate United WE values and principles across development practices, partnerships, and donor engagement.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 10+ years of experience in a comparable role.
• 15+ years of nonprofit development experience engaging foundations, corporations, and individual donors, including 5–10 years of progressive leadership experience building and scaling fundraising programs.
• Broad understanding of all major components of a comprehensive development operation, including:
  • Individual, institutional, major, planned, digital, and annual giving
  • Special events and campaign activities
  • Donor communications and stewardship
  • Development operations and systems
• Proven ability to secure major and transformational gifts, both independently and in collaboration with a team.
• Experience successfully designing and…