Chief Development Officer

Position Overview

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) will lead the design and execution of a comprehensive fundraising strategy for WSF, diversifying and expanding its funding base while stewarding a loyal core of long-standing supporters. Reporting to the Co-Founder and CEO, with a dotted line to the President, this person will help grow the organization’s philanthropic revenue to support its mission and goals. This role offers a creative, transformational fundraising leader the chance to elevate WSF’s fundraising program, deepen its impact, and expand its reach.

The CDO will develop infrastructure, processes, and manage a team while working in close partnership with organizational leadership and an engaged, accomplished board. The ideal candidate will be comfortable in high-level, creative strategy conversations and in the hands-on work of identifying, cultivating, and closing new philanthropic relationships. This person will represent WSF externally with confidence to funders, partners, and the broader philanthropic community.

Core Responsibilities

Strategy

• Design and lead a multi-year comprehensive fundraising strategy that diversifies WSF’s funding base while setting the stage for year-over-year philanthropic growth
• Collaborate with senior leadership to shape organizational priorities into high-impact funding strategies
• Identify and prioritize funding opportunities across WSF’s core program areas, including all live and digital content and educational initiatives
• Set clear revenue goals, performance benchmarks, and accountability structures across the department

Fundraising & Relationship Management

• Directly cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major funders that include individuals, foundations, and corporations.
• Identify and pursue new funders with a specific focus on bringing in new individual, foundation, and corporate donors while also exploring innovative funding streams outside of traditional philanthropy
• Support the Founders and Board with donor cultivation, solicitation strategy, and stewardship, helping them to prepare, position, and follow through on solicitations

Team Leadership & Management

• Lead, inspire, and mentor a talented team of fundraising professionals while fostering a high-performance, accountable team environment
• Assess and build out the development team’s organizational structure, including hiring for current vacancies, defining role scope, and identifying gaps in capacity
• Set clear performance expectations, establish and maintain strong KPI practices, provide consistent feedback, and build professional development pathways that attract and retain top talent

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as a visible and trusted leader across the organization, helping to build a culture of philanthropy where staff at all levels understand and support fundraising goals
• Align fundraising priorities with programmatic and creative teams

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a minimum of 5 years of senior leadership experience overseeing a development program
• Track record of fundraising success and measurable revenue growth in organizations of similar size and scope, including direct solicitation and closing of individual major gifts and corporate partnerships at the 6-figure level and above
• Proven success leading, coaching, and mentoring teams, including building culture and managing performance
• Experience diversifying a funding base and cultivating new and non-traditional philanthropic relationships
• Commitment to leading by example, including demonstrating and fostering a strong sense of urgency, accountability, and sound decision-making to achieve goals
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence, with the ability to build genuine relationships with a sophisticated, generous, and busy board, as well as donors and colleagues at all levels
• A data-informed mindset with comfort using KPIs and performance data to drive accountability and decision-making
• Collaborative, flexible, team-oriented, and positive approach to work
• Authentic and deep interest in the mission and work of the WSF
• Familiarity with the NYC philanthropic community and funders is a plus but not required

Location & Work Environment

This role is based in New York City with a full-time in-office schedule.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $190,000 – $220,000 annually. WSF offers a comprehensive package of benefits.