Chief Development Officer at Ambassador… · Boston

This mission-driven investment and capacity-building organization focuses on advancing equitable economic opportunity through integrated capital, community-centered development, and strategic education initiatives. The organization deploys a mix of philanthropic and investment capital to support small businesses, social enterprises, and community-led real estate projects, while also offering training programs that help practitioners launch and manage impact-focused capital initiatives.

As the organization continues to expand, it seeks a senior leader to help strengthen financial sustainability, deepen stakeholder engagement, and advance long-term goals across its development, fundraising, and investor relations functions.

Position Summary

The Chief Development Officer is a senior executive responsible for designing and executing comprehensive strategies that support organizational growth, financial sustainability, and long-term mission alignment. This leader oversees fundraising operations, investor relations, strategic partnerships, earned revenue opportunities, and the development of systems that strengthen organizational resilience.

The CDO reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and serves as a key member of the senior leadership team. The role requires a strategic thinker with experience building relationships across philanthropic, corporate, government, and investment communities, and a proven ability to secure diverse funding streams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement multi-year development and investor relations strategies that align fundraising efforts with organizational priorities and growth objectives
• Serve as a primary advisor to executive leadership and the board on trends in philanthropy, investor priorities, revenue diversification, and strategic funding opportunities
• Establish annual revenue goals, performance benchmarks, and long-range development plans; monitor progress and adjust strategy as needed
• Lead efforts to diversify revenue sources through major gifts, institutional grants, sponsorships, government funding, and annual giving campaigns
• Oversee the creation, submission, and management of grant proposals, reporting, and compliance requirements for institutional funders
• Build and steward relationships with funders, donors, and mission-aligned investors across philanthropic and investment networks
• Collaborate with internal leadership to develop strategies for raising investment capital for the organization’s funds and capital pools
• Support the creation and expansion of earned revenue streams related to programming, training, advisory work, and other offerings
• Lead and mentor a high-performing development team; create a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and operational excellence
• Build infrastructure, systems, and processes that support efficient donor management, pipeline development, stewardship, and data tracking
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and ethical standards related to fundraising and investor relations
• Partner with the board and development committees to strengthen donor, investor, and stakeholder engagement
• Organize funder and investor events, including virtual briefings, site visits, and community engagement opportunities
• Represent the organization at meetings, conferences, community gatherings, and public forums to increase visibility and cultivate partnerships
• Oversee marketing and communications efforts related to fundraising campaigns, investor updates, and strategic messaging
• Lead crisis communication efforts in situations requiring timely and transparent engagement with funders and stakeholders

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in nonprofit management, business, or a related field preferred
• Ten or more years of fundraising, development, or advancement experience, including at least five years in a senior leadership role
• Experience working in or alongside communities most affected by economic exclusion or environmental challenges
• Commitment to principles of equitable economic development, shared prosperity, or community-centered finance
• CFRE certification is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute long-term fundraising and investor relations strategies
• Proven success securing philanthropic and investment capital across multiple funding sources
• Strong relationship-building skills and experience cultivating partnerships across philanthropic, corporate, government, and investment sectors
• Analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial information, market dynamics, and investor sentiment
• Exceptional verbal and written communication abilities
• Experience leveraging CRM systems, data analytics tools, and operational processes to strengthen fundraising performance
• Collaborative leadership style with strong emotional intelligence, discretion, and team-building capabilities

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, exempt position based in Boston, MA, with a hybrid work schedule requiring periodic on-site presence. The salary range for this role is $140,000 to $170,000, depending on experience and alignment with role expectations.

The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package, including flexible work arrangements, healthcare coverage, short-term disability, a retirement plan with employer contribution, paid time off and holidays, and an annual professional development stipend.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to any characteristics or identities protected under applicable law.