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Chief Development Officer

  • New York, New York 10004

Priority Application Deadline August 12th

About the Organization: Partnership with Children 

 

Partnership With Children (PWC) strengthens the mental health and well-being of New York City students by embedding licensed social workers and comprehensive supports directly in schools reaching over 20,000 children and families each year. Across our core partner schools, we build ecosystems of support that empower students, support families, and transform schools through trauma-informed counseling, community-based programming, and healing-based arts education—creating nurturing environments that foster resilience, learning, and opportunity.   
 
Role Overview 

 

Partnership with Children’s Chief Development Officer (CDO) leads fundraising and public outreach strategies. This executive will drive financial growth by securing government and foundation grants, corporate sponsorship, individual/major gifts, and event revenue. They are responsible for designing and executing fundraising strategies across the development team, CEO, board, and other key stakeholders while overseeing external communications to build brand awareness. The CDO works collaboratively with PWC executive team and Board to align the organization's vision with donor support to ensure long-term sustainability. 

 

Responsibilities - What You’ll Be Doing 

 

The responsibilities of the Chief Development Officer will include, but are not limited to, the following:  

 

Portfolio Ownership & Transformational Asks (50%) 

  • Own and grow a portfolio of donors capable of transformational gifts of $25K+, with a disciplined focus on relationship depth and revenue outcomes. 

  • Build and sustain trust-based relationships that convert prospects into long-term contributors and increase giving over time. 

  • Design and lead end-to-end cultivation strategies with rigor and creativity. 

  • Produce polished, executive-ready materials (briefings, proposals, concept papers, impact reports) that are deployment-ready with minimal revision. 

 

Executive Partnership & Board Leadership (30%) 

  • Partner closely with the CEO to architect and execute a fundraising vision and strategy that is tightly aligned to organizational vision and priorities and drives measurable portfolio performance. 

  • Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic thought partner to the CEO on fundraising direction, donor engagement, and board activation. 

  • Own organizational communication strategy, from donor-facing narratives and board updates to external positioning, ensuring every touchpoint reinforces credibility, mission alignment and the case for investment.  

  • Drive PWC Board engagement, including meeting preparation, member cultivation, and equipping board members to fundraise with confidence and impact. 

 

Team Leadership & Systems (20%) 

  • Partner with development team members and cross-departmental stakeholders to drive strong execution across the full portfolio of Development department activities. 

  • Set clear expectations and create the conditions for the team to hit individual and collective fundraising goals. 

  • Maintain rigorous, real-time tracking of donor activity, prospect pipelines, and fundraising progress in Salesforce. 

  • Use data proactively to surface gaps, measure performance, and drive strategic course corrections. 

 

Skills and Competencies - What Makes a Successful Candidate 

 

We recognize that some individuals that come from underrepresented backgrounds are often less likely to apply to a position if they don’t match 100% of the job qualifications. We encourage you to apply if you can demonstrate many of these skills and competencies. Below are the skills that are most relevant to thriving in this role:  

 

Transformational Fundraising Experience 

  • Has a track record of creating and executing development plans that have yielded $4million+ annual revenue  

  • Demonstrated success closing five-figure gifts 

  • Direct experience engaging ultra-high-net-worth individuals 

  • Comfort leading high-stakes solicitations and navigating complex philanthropic dynamics 

  • Proven ability to build and convert new donor pipelines 

 

Executive-Level Partnership 

  • Experience preparing CEOs or senior leaders for major donor engagements 

  • Ability to operate with discretion, judgment and confidence at the highest organizational levels 

  • Versatile leader with both visionary orientation and tactical execution. 

  • Strong ability to manage up, manage laterally and drive clarity across senior stakeholders 

 

Portfolio Ownership & Execution 

  • Ability to independently own end-to-end strategy and execution 

  • High bar for quality — brings work forward at 95% complete 

  • Strong prioritization and decision-making skills in fast-paced, revenue-driven environments 

  • Disciplined follow-through and accountability 

 

Other  

  • 15+ years of experience in development and fundraising 

 

Nice to Have  

  • Experience managing Advocacy 

  • Experience managing communications  

  • Event strategy and execution experience 

  • Proficiency with Salesforce 

 

What to expect in our process:  

 

  1. Submit cover letter and resume for role 

  1. Phone Screen 

  1. Performance Task 

  1. Interview Day 

  1. Reference Checks 

  1. CEO and Board Chair Interview 

  1. Offer 

 

Other Logistics:  

  • This position is hybrid and requires a minimum of 2 days a week in office  

  • Salary: $200,000-210,000 commensurate with credentials and experience 

 

Salary and Benefits – We take care of our employees by providing the following perks and benefits:  
 

  • Medical, Dental and Vision insurance 

  • Flexible Spending Account 

  • Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account 

  • A 401k Retirement Plan with Employer Match 

  • Paid Parental Leave 

  • Wellness Benefits and Resources  

  • Life insurance 

  • Commuter Benefits  

  • Twenty-four days paid annual leave per year 

  • Four Summer Fridays  

  • 12 Paid Holidays  

  • Affinity groups and Community Building Events