Chief Development Officer

Position: Chief Development Officer
Reports to: Chief Revenue Officer

Location: Flexible (proximately to a Per Scholas location)
Salary: $200,000 - $220,000*

Role Overview:

As Per Scholas approaches its 30th anniversary, we are searching for a new Chief Development Officer to lead the organization's fundraising, development, and partnership strategies. Per Scholas’ commitment to equity, proven effective model for economic mobility, and deep partnerships with employers have helped build a strong base of philanthropic support. The CDO will work closely with the CEO, National Leadership Team (NLT) and Board of Directors to design and execute a comprehensive development strategy that aligns with Per Scholas’ strategic goals, including spearheading a new growth capital campaign in 2025 - building on growth capital investments from Blue Meridian, Ballmer Group, and the MacArthur Foundation’s Lever for Change, among others.

You will lead a team of 30 diverse professionals, including two seasoned SVPs, to achieve an annual fundraising goal of $60MM in 2024, with annual growth targets of 15-20%. The ideal candidate will be excited to partner on a local and national scale, building and strengthening relationships with key current and prospective stakeholders, including Board members, corporate partners, regional and national funders, policymakers, elected officials, and other influential individuals across broad sectors. We are seeking a leader who is a comfortable front-line fundraiser, a team motivator and coach for leaders and staff at all levels across the organization.

As a key member of Per Scholas’ National Leadership Team, the Chief Development Officer’s primary responsibilities will include:

Strategic Fundraising & External Partnership Orientation

• Take a data-driven approach to develop and execute a multi-year fundraising strategy to secure financial support from a diverse range of sources, including government contracts, foundations, corporations, and individual donors.
• Cultivate and steward relationships to expand Per Scholas’ network and support base.
• Collaborate with the marketing and communication team to articulate a compelling case for support and effectively communicate Per Scholas’ mission and impact.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to diversify and grow revenue streams to sustain and scale Per Scholas’ impact, including individual gifts and government grants.
• Act as a lead representative and spokesperson with top-level funding partners and prospects, alongside the CEO and Chief Revenue Officer

Organizational Leadership

• Lead and manage a high-performing development team, providing strategic direction and support to achieve fundraising targets.
• Provide coaching and guidance across the organization on fundraising best practices, and promote a culture of philanthropy. 
• Contribute to organizational-wide goals and strategy.
• Increase the diverse representation across the development team staff.

Board Cultivation & Partnership

• Collaborate with the Board of Directors and leadership to set and meet fundraising goals and objectives.
• Inspire and increase fundraising among Board of Directors
• Identify and cultivate new Board members with collaboration across the NLT
• Support local advisory boards across 23+ markets in their fundraising strategy and efforts

Ideal candidates for the Chief Development Officer opportunity will possess the following skills and attributes:

• At least 15+ years of experience leading fundraising teams through various economic climates, with expertise in individual giving, government grants, corporate philanthropy, and/or foundations. 
• A personal commitment to diversity and inclusion; demonstrated interest in and passion for economic mobility 
• Exceptional communications and presentation skills, with significant experience pitching, presenting, and engaging audiences, leveraging metrics to demonstrate return on investment
• Leadership experience in creating and executing development strategy including collaboration across multiple departments, teams, and locations throughout a national  organization
• Business acumen to develop, negotiate, and understand complex contracts and budgets
• Inspirational leadership with the ability to motivate, coach, develop, and empower staff
• Tech-savvy, with the ability to effectively partner with and supervise remote colleagues
• Experience growing and managing a Board of Directors who are directly involved in fundraising
• Highly organized, with a systems-minded and data-driven approach
• Professional maturity and a high EQ 
• Excellent change management skills, with an entrepreneurial approach and an appetite for working in a fast-paced, high-growth environment

This is an extraordinary opportunity for an accomplished leader in development who is passionate about creating pathways to economic mobility through technology education and is committed to driving social change. If you are ready to make a meaningful impact and help shape the future of Per Scholas, we encourage you to apply.

salary target: $200,000 - $220,000