Chief Development Officer

Scion Executive Search (Scion) has been retained to conduct an immediate search for a strategic, collaborative, and mission-aligned Chief Development Officer on behalf of Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV), a highly regarded organization dedicated to animal welfare. This is an exceptional opportunity for an accomplished fundraising executive to lead impact-driven philanthropy efforts in support of a mission dedicated to saving lives, keeping families together, and creating a better future for pets and their people.

This is a full-time, predominantly onsite role based in Milpitas, California.

For more than 95 years, Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) has been a leader in animal welfare, serving pets and people throughout the Bay Area and beyond. As an independent, privately funded nonprofit organization, HSSV provides adoption and foster programs, veterinary care, behavior and training support, community programs, regional rescue partnerships, and resources that help pets and the people who love them thrive together.

HSSV is nationally recognized for its leadership and impact in animal welfare, with a long history of developing and sharing approaches that improve outcomes for animals and strengthen the human-animal bond. Through its Animal Community Center, Community Pet Clinic, and a dedicated network of donors, volunteers, partners, and supporters, HSSV works to save lives, keep families together, expand access to care, and build a stronger safety net for pets and people.

HSSV is driven by a mission to save lives, keep families together, and create a better future for pets and their people, with a vision of a world where animals thrive, people experience the power of the human-animal bond, and families have the resources and support to care for their pets.

HSSV is grounded in the values of Kindness, Courage, and Impact which are brought to life through a collaborative culture centered on empathy, gratitude, belonging, continuous improvement, and celebrating shared success. HSSV encourages their teams to think boldly, drive meaningful change, take thoughtful risks, and work across teams to create lasting impact for animals, people, and the communities they serve.

Reporting directly to the President & Executive Director, the Chief Development Officer serves as a key member of HSSV’s executive leadership team, providing strategic and operational leadership for the organization’s high-impact fundraising and donor engagement efforts. This leader will guide the development and execution of long-term philanthropic strategies that generate sustainable revenue, deepen donor relationships, and align philanthropic support with HSSV’s strategic priorities.

The Chief Development Officer will play a critical role in advancing HSSV’s mission while fostering a strong organization-wide culture of philanthropy.

The Chief Development Officer will personally cultivate and steward a targeted portfolio of high-value donors and prospects while providing strategic leadership for the Philanthropy team. The role will oversee individual and major giving, annual giving, planned giving, endowment, institutional giving and grants, donor stewardship, partnerships, and major and principal gift prospects. As a senior leader and visible ambassador for HSSV, this individual will also build strong relationships throughout the community to advance the organization’s philanthropic goals.

The ideal candidate is a strategic, results-driven, and highly collaborative fundraising leader who can translate organizational priorities into clear, measurable philanthropic goals. They will foster a culture rooted in transparency, accountability, partnership, and continuous learning…