Position Summary
Salary: $138,800.00 – $143,800.00
At Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia (“HFHP”), we are builders who work alongside, not for others. We are driven by accountability and defined by our stick-to-itiveness.
Reporting directly to the CEO and serving as a member of the Leadership Team, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) will partner closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and Leadership Team to drive a comprehensive advancement strategy that strengthens philanthropic revenue, deepens donor engagement, elevates organizational visibility, and supports Habitat Philadelphia’s long-term strategic priorities.
The CDO is both strategic and hands-on leader who can architect sophisticated fundraising systems and campaigns while also building authentic relationships with donors, corporate partners, volunteers, and community stakeholders. This role requires a passionate, emotionally intelligent leader skilled in people management, strategic planning, and risk mitigation.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising and advancement strategy aligned with Habitat Philadelphia’s strategic goals.
- Implement diversified fundraising strategies to attract, retain, and motivate donors and volunteers.
- Ensure fundraising alignment with organizational values and strategic plans.
- Build fundraising infrastructure, team, systems, accountability measures, and performance metrics that support long-term sustainability and growth.
- Foster a culture of philanthropy across the organization.
- Monitor trends in philanthropy and recommend policy positions.
- Represent Habitat Philadelphia externally with donors, civic leaders, corporate partners, volunteers, and community stakeholders.
Fund Development Oversight
- Lead all philanthropic revenue strategies with accountability for annual fundraising goals and long-term revenue growth including annual fund, events, individual, foundation, corporate, and planned giving, volunteer engagement, marketing, and communications.
- Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and transformational donors.
- Manage donor portfolio.
- Ensure compliance with regulations, ethical standards, and internal policies.
- Maintain accountability to donors and uphold professional conduct.
- Represent Habitat to donors, prospects, and external stakeholders.
Philanthropic Talent Management
- Select, develop, motivate, and build capacity of development staff.
- Support leadership development within the advancement function.
- Establish clear accountabilities and conduct regular performance evaluations.
Board & Committee Engagement
- Partner with Board of Directors to achieve 100% participation with annual board giving.
- Leverage expertise and engagement of Resource Development Committee.
Advancement Operations
- Manage advancement budget, cash flow, projections; work in tandem with CFO.
- Oversee fundraising analytics, reporting, budgeting, forecasting and CRM management.
- Ensure strong development operations, data integrity, gift processing, stewardship systems, and performance tracking.
- Utilize data and metrics to drive strategic fundraising decisions and organizational learning.
Campaign & Program Management
- Design and implement cost-effective fundraising programs with strong ROI.
- Lead major gift fundraising and multi-year campaigns, including strategy development, donor cultivation, and stewardship.
- Oversee campaign planning, communications, volunteer recruitment, and consultant management.
- Ensure data integrity, fiscal responsibility, and adherence to ethical standards throughout campaigns.
- Conduct post-campaign evaluations to capture lessons learned.
Marketing & Communications
- Provide strategic leadership for marketing and communications efforts that elevate Habitat Philadelphia’s visibility, reputation, and community impact.
- Partner closely with the Director of Marketing & Communications and MarComms team to develop and implement an integrated, mission-aligned annual communications strategy.
- Supervise and support the Marketing & Communications Director to advance organizational storytelling, brand management, media relations, and public engagement initiatives.
- Help strengthen Habitat Philadelphia’s external profile through strategic partnerships, thought leadership, storytelling, and community visibility opportunities.
Qualifications
Required Education, Experience, Knowledge & Skills
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or advanced professional certification preferred.
- Minimum 10 years of progressive fundraising and advancement leadership experience, including oversight of annual giving, major gifts, corporate partnerships, institutional giving, events, volunteer and donor engagement strategies.
- Demonstrated success developing and executing strategic fundraising initiatives that drive revenue growth, strengthen donor relationships, and expand organizational visibility and impact.
- Proven leadership and people management experience with the ability to build, mentor, and lead high-performing teams in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.
- Strong strategic thinking and organizational leadership skills, with a deep understanding of comprehensive development operations, donor pipeline management, budgeting, forecasting, and advancement strategy.
- Experience managing complex fundraising goals, departmental budgets, and financial reporting, including oversight of annual revenue targets of $5M+.
- Exceptional project management skills with the ability to prioritize, manage multiple initiatives simultaneously, and execute effectively in a fast-paced environment. Excellent interpersonal, intercultural, written, and verbal communication skills, including strong storytelling, presentation, and relationship-building abilities with diverse stakeholders.
- Proficiency with CRM and fundraising database systems; Salesforce experience preferred.
- Strong operational and analytical mindset with attention to detail and a commitment to data integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Demonstrated professionalism, sound judgment, and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work at a computer for extended periods.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
- Reasonable accommodations available upon request.
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, paid time off, sick leave, and holidays.
- Competitive salary based on experience.
Application Process
- Please send resume and cover letter through the application portal by June 22, 2026. No calls, please.
- Learn more & apply