Title: Global Chief Development Officer
Location: Remote, United States
General Description:
The Global Chief Development Officer (CDO) is the most critical leadership role at Operation Smile, responsible for driving revenue growth and positioning the organization for long-term success in a rapidly evolving philanthropic landscape. As Operation Smile embarks on a comprehensive global campaign, the CDO will lead the transformation of our fundraising strategies to support significant growth over the next five years and beyond.
The CDO will set both global and U.S. fundraising strategy while aligning efforts across key fundraising markets, including Canada, Australia, Norway, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Ireland, Italy, the UK, and our 37 program countries. They will also maintain a principal gift portfolio with defined revenue targets, directly cultivating and stewarding relationships with top donors and partners to secure transformational gifts. This role will identify new revenue opportunities while modernizing fundraising practices to ensure the organization remains competitive and relevant in a dynamic philanthropic environment. This role will grow the development team to $200M over the next three years.
The CDO will build and lead a high-performing team, fostering collaboration across internal departments and with external partners, including foundations, corporations, and government entities. This leader will ensure Operation Smile’s fundraising strategies position the organization to meet ambitious financial goals and scale its healthcare programs globally.
Essential Functions:
Strategic Leadership and Growth:
- Develop and implement a global fundraising strategy that aligns with Operation Smile’s strategic objectives and sets the foundation for long-term growth.
- Establish key priorities for U.S. fundraising and collaborate with partners in Canada, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Ireland, Italy, and the UK to align efforts.
- Drive innovative approaches to fundraising, ensuring the organization stays at the forefront of emerging trends and opportunities.
- Position the organization for success in a changing fundraising environment by modernizing processes, leveraging digital tools, and optimizing donor engagement.
Principal Gifts and Portfolio Management:
- Maintain and grow a personal portfolio of principal gift donors, developing tailored strategies to deepen relationships and achieve annual revenue targets.
- Engage with top donors, corporate partners, and foundations to secure multi-million-dollar gifts and build lasting partnerships.
- Collaborate with board members and leadership to leverage their networks and engage in high-level donor cultivation.
Comprehensive Campaign Leadership:
- Lead the execution of a transformative multi-year fundraising campaign that will drive significant revenue growth.
- Partner with the executive team to ensure the campaign aligns with programmatic goals, brand priorities, and organizational sustainability.
Talent Management and Team Building:
- Build, inspire, and manage a diverse and high-performing global fundraising team.
- Develop leadership within the team and cultivate talent through mentorship, coaching, and professional development.
- Collaborate with program teams across 37 countries to strengthen in-country fundraising capacity.
Donor Relations and Partnerships:
- Cultivate, manage, and deepen relationships with major donors, foundations, corporate partners, and government institutions to secure transformative gifts and grants.
- Collaborate with the Board of Directors and leadership team to engage them in fundraising efforts and leverage their networks effectively.
- Explore new revenue opportunities to build diversified funding streams.
- Leverage familiarity with the digital space to develop innovative fundraising initiatives and enhance donor engagement across multiple channels.
Data-Driven Strategy and Impact Measurement:
- Establish clear revenue targets and key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor fundraising performance across multiple channels.
- Use data analytics and donor insights to inform strategy and decision-making, ensuring maximum return on investment.
- Continuously assess the effectiveness and efficiency of fundraising efforts, optimizing processes to reduce the cost of fundraising.
Finance:
- Align fundraising strategies with financial goals to ensure sustainable programmatic impact and operational efficiency.
- Partner with the CFO to ensure accurate financial forecasting, revenue projections, and budget management for fundraising operations.
- Analyze fundraising performance data and develop cost-efficient initiatives to optimize return on investment (ROI).
- Monitor revenue streams and report regularly on financial outcomes to the executive team and Board of Directors.
Experience Required (education/work):
- 15+ years of leadership experience in development, preferably within global nonprofits or healthcare organizations.
- Experience on a global scale securing foundation and institutional funding.
- Experience handling global companies' partnerships in point of sale, cause related marketing, foundation and corporate gifts.
- Proven track record in managing principal gift portfolios and securing multi-million-dollar gifts.
- Expertise in building and managing large-scale fundraising campaigns and fundraising teams with demonstrated financial outcomes.
- Familiarity with global health, international development, or public health is a plus.
- Strong financial acumen and experience aligning fundraising strategies with financial goals and working closely with finance teams.
- Master’s degree in relevant field is required.
Competencies:
- Visionary Leadership – Demonstrates the ability to inspire and guide teams toward ambitious goals with a clear, compelling vision.
- Team Management – The combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively lead, coordinate, and motivate a group of individuals to achieve common goals. Includes the ability to align team efforts with organizational objectives while fostering a positive, collaborative, and productive work environment.
- Negotiation – The ability to effectively communicate, persuade, and influence others to reach mutually beneficial agreements or resolve conflicts. Understanding the needs, interests, and goals of all parties involved, finding common ground, and strategically employing tactics to achieve a favorable outcome.
- Collaboration - The ability to successfully build & maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively together as a team through shared responsibility, respect, & empathy to complete a shared goal for a common good.
- Strategic Mindset – The ability to anticipate and prepare for various outcomes that may or may not occur and eventualities that might unfold as you execute a strategic initiative.
- Data-Driven Decision Making – the ability to use facts, metrics, and insights to guide and refine strategic business decisions that align with the goals and improve performance across fundraising channels.
Why Operation Smile?
Meaningful Work - At Operation Smile, you will engage in meaningful work that transforms lives, providing essential medical care to children and contributing to global health and well-being.
A Brighter Future - Make saving for the future easy with Operation Smile’s 401(k) plan, featuring Safe Harbor and employer matching. Cha-ching!
Happy and Healthy - Kick back and relax with Operation Smile's all-in-one health plans! We've got your health, pharmacy, dental, and vision needs covered for you and your loved ones. No worries, just smiles!
Worry-Free Insurance - Enjoy true peace of mind with 100% paid premiums for life and AD&D insurances. We've got you covered, no matter what!
Take Your Time (Off) - Start with 15 days of paid time off in your first year plus celebrate with company-paid holidays! More time for fun and relaxation.
Work it, Flex it - Enjoy flexible work arrangements that fit your lifestyle, with remote, on-site, and hybrid work arrangements.
Travel Minus Stress - See the world through our unique employee programs, which offer opportunities to participate in international medical trips, community outreach, and global health initiatives.
Disclaimer: The information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this role. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications. Operation Smile is an EOE/Veterans/Disabled/LGBT employer. Operation Smile is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.
