Chief Development Officer

TL;DR

Chief Development Officer (Nonprofit/Philanthropy): Spearheading the next era of philanthropic growth and revenue transformation for a global educational media brand with an accent on building a modern philanthropic engine and scaling major gifts efforts. Focus on architecting sustainable revenue streams, deepening donor and board engagement, and translating mission impact into a compelling case for support.

Location: Hybrid in New York, NY (Requires a strong presence in Manhattan)

Salary: $400,000–$425,000 per year

Company

Global nonprofit behind Sesame Street, working at the intersection of education, media, and research to empower children worldwide.

What you will do

• Architect a forward-looking philanthropic strategy to scale major gifts and increase unrestricted support.
• Partner with the CEO and Board of Trustees to refine and articulate a compelling case for support.
• Lead donor strategy across identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Recruit, lead, and develop a VP/SVP of Major Gifts and their supporting team.
• Implement scalable infrastructure, including Salesforce integration and clear pipeline tracking.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Finance, Strategy, Marketing, and Impact Program teams.

Requirements

• Proven track record of securing seven- and eight-figure gifts and managing complex donor relationships.
• Significant experience building or materially scaling major gifts functions in complex mission-driven organizations.
• Must be based in or maintain a strong presence in New York, NY.
• Exceptional communication ability to translate complex organizational models into persuasive narratives.
• Experience working closely with a CEO and Board of Trustees to cultivate a culture of philanthropy.

Nice to have

• Growth and entrepreneurial mindset with flexibility to adapt plans to various partners.
• High emotional intelligence and a collaborative, self-aware leadership style.

Culture & Benefits

• Hybrid work model with in-office requirements ranging from two to five days per week.
• Opportunity to lead one of the world's most trusted mission-driven brands.
• Environment focused on trust, collaboration, and high performance.
• Commitment to Equal Opportunity Employment and child safeguarding policies.