Chief Development & Marketing Officer (83047)

Position: Chief Development & Marketing Officer (CDMO)

Reports to: CEO

Location: 3150 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118

Type: Full Time, Exempt

Compensation: $225-245K/Annually

 

About HomeFirst

HomeFirst is a leading nonprofit organization working to end homelessness in Santa Clara County. For more than four decades, we have brought people indoors, stabilized families, and helped individuals end their homelessness permanently. We partner with local governments, corporations, foundations, and community members to deliver emergency interim housing, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, prevention services, and outreach programs that save lives and restore dignity.

 

OUR VALUES

• Kindness: We act with empathy toward others.
• Passion: We ignite change to fulfill our mission.
• Excellence: We deliver exceptional service to our communities.

 

POSITION OVERVIEW-The Opportunity

This is a mission-critical and strategically pivotal leadership opportunity.

The Chief Development & Marketing Officer (CDMO) will lead an integrated Marketing and Fund Development Department and serve as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team. Reporting directly to the CEO, this leader will be responsible for expanding revenue, strengthening brand presence, elevating signature events, and deepening relationships with major donors, corporate partners, and foundations.

The CDMO will oversee a multi-channel philanthropic revenue portfolio and lead a team of professionals across development, communications, marketing, and events. This role carries direct accountability for revenue growth, brand positioning, and sustainable fundraising infrastructure aligned with HomeFirst’s strategic plan.

The CDMO will ensure that our community understands not only what we do, but the impact we make, saving lives by bringing people indoors and helping them end homelessness for good.

 

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The position reports to the Chief Executive Officer and is a vital member of the agency’s executive leadership team, which includes A Chief Financial Officer, a Chief Development Officer, a Chief Program Officer, and a Chief Operating Officer.

 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Revenue Growth

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy to grow philanthropic revenue.
• Cultivate and steward major donors, corporate sponsors, and foundation partners.
• Partner closely with the CEO and Board of Directors to expand major gift capacity and increase leadership-level fundraising engagement.

• Design and implement structured donor pipelines that increase conversion rates, reduce time-to-gift, and grow average gift size.
• Build diversified funding streams aligned with organizational priorities.
• Establish annual revenue targets, forecasting discipline, and performance dashboards to monitor progress and inform strategy.

 

Marketing & Brand Elevation

• Strengthen HomeFirst’s public presence in the community.
• Develop and execute a strategic brand positioning framework that differentiates  HomeFirst within the regional housing and homelessness ecosystem.
• Oversee storytelling that centers around the dignity and resilience of the people we serve.
• Ensure consistent, high-quality messaging across platforms and audiences.
• Position HomeFirst as a trusted regional leader and credible voice in addressing homelessness and housing stability.

 

Signature Events & Donor Experiences
• Position our annual Homeless Memorial as a signature civic event in the Bay Area.
• Strengthen and strategically position other key events as both mission-centered community gatherings and high-performing fundraising platforms.
• Design emotionally compelling and mission-driven engagement opportunities.
 

Digital & Community Engagement

• Expand social media reach and digital engagement.
• Grow younger and more diverse audiences.
• Leverage video and authentic storytelling to inspire advocacy and investment.
• Establish clear digital conversion metrics and revenue attribution tracking.

 

Leadership & Operational Excellence

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team.
• Build a culture where kindness shapes how we lead, passion drives our engagement with donors and community, and excellence defines our standards for accountability, performance, and results.
• Build disciplined systems, performance metrics, and accountability structures.
• Collaborate closely with executive leadership and the Board of Directors.
• Align fundraising strategy with operational growth and program expansion.
• Oversee departmental budgeting, revenue forecasting, CRM optimization, and data analytics.
• Ensure fundraising infrastructure, systems, and staffing models are scalable to support long-term growth.

 

 

PERSONAL ATRIBUTES

Kindness: Leads with empathy and humility. Centered on the people we serve.
Passion: Deeply believes in our mission and promotes it unapologetically.
Excellence: Is thoughtful in their actions. Holds high standards and actively pursues their fulfillment.
 

COMPETENCIES

• Excellence: Commits to high achievement by setting personal standards of excellence, driving results, and continuously improving performance while fostering team success and organizational goals. 
• Collaboration: Works effectively to build strong relationships, foster open communication, and create a cohesive and high-performing team.
• Diversity & Inclusion: Cultivates an inclusive environment that values and respects the social identities of all individuals, creating space for authenticity and equity.
• Managing Performance: Ensures team goals are met by proactively addressing concerns, providing guidance, and fostering accountability to achieve desired outcomes.
• Empowering & Developing Others: Delegates authority confidently, provides the freedom for individual styles, and offers recognition and constructive feedback to develop team members effectively.
• Managing Change: Leads teams through organizational shifts by positively guiding others, encouraging adaptability, and aligning priorities with the agency’s mission.
• Risk Management: Evaluates and mitigates risks in operational and strategic areas, prioritizes safety, and raises concerns to address potential issues proactively.
• Technical Expertise: Maintains a high level of skill and knowledge relevant to the role, staying adaptable and current in their field.
• Customer Service: Understands the needs and goals of both internal and external stakeholders, working collaboratively to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Planning and Organizing: Develops and adheres to efficient workflows, ensuring deadlines and processes are streamlined for maximum effectiveness.
• Critical Thinking: Approaches challenges with a logical, systematic, and thoughtful methodology to effectively navigate complex situations and make informed decisions.

 

BENEFITS

HomeFirst provides comprehensive benefits, including 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage and additional wellness options like chiropractic care, mental health support, pet insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. We offer a 401(k)-retirement plan with generous matching, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits, and workers’ compensation. Employees enjoy 12 holidays, sick leave, and PTO starting at 15 days annually, increasing with tenure, plus 8 hours of civic engagement leave annually to volunteer.

 

ORGANIZATIONAL EQUITY STATEMENT

At HomeFirst, diversity, equity, and inclusion guide our services, workplace, and decisions. Recognizing housing as a social justice issue, we prioritize equitable practices, honor lived experiences, and uphold dignity for all. By fostering belonging, accountability, and continuous improvement, we embed DEI values in our processes, recruitment, and leadership, striving for excellence at every level.

HomeFirst is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. Additionally, HomeFirst participates in the E-Verify program, as required by law.

HomeFirst is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please let your recruiter know.

 

Join Us

This is a defining moment for HomeFirst. As public funding evolves and community expectations rise, diversified revenue, disciplined systems, and strong public engagement are more important than ever.

If you are a strategic revenue builder, a compelling storyteller, and a disciplined executive leader ready to build sustainable fundraising infrastructure and elevate a mission-driven organization, we invite you to apply.

Together, we can ensure that more individuals and families find stability, dignity, and a place to call home.