Chief Development Officer at Blue Star Families

Hybrid within the DC Metro areaFull-timeHeadquartersPosted about 2 months ago

About the Role

Job Title: Chief Development Officer Department: Development Location: Hybrid within the DC Metro area Reports to: President Direct Reports: Yes Classification: Exempt Position Type: Full-time  Anticipated Pay Range at Commencement of Employment: $159,000 - $238,000   Blue Star Families Blue Star Families is the largest nonprofit dedicated to making military life better for families. Each year, we support over 1.5 million military- and veteran-connected family members through a national network of 300,000+ members and local chapters in communities across the country. Our mission is simple and bold: We make military life awesome for families. We listen, share, partner, and act to deliver evidence-based, data-driven solutions that work for real people. We’re a lifestyle organization, a friend and neighbor, and a trusted partner. Our approach is collaborative, human-centered, and designed with the whole family in mind. A Blue Star Family is one with an immediate family member — a spouse, parent, or child — actively serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Guard and Reserves. These families face unique challenges, including frequent relocations, deployments, career disruptions, and isolation. We respond with research-informed programs that create connection, build resilience, and foster a true sense of belonging. We serve with urgency but build trust over time — because change happens at the speed of trust. Whether we’re driving spouse employment, supporting caregivers, or helping communities welcome military families, we strive for upstream solutions. Who We’re Looking For: <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Bold thinkers. Fast movers. Smart collaborators. People who want to build, lead, and drive measurable change — and who care deeply about making an impact that matters.</li> </ul> What You’ll Do Here: <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Solve complex challenges with data, heart, and humility</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Build cross-sector partnerships that get things done</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Help military families feel at home wherever they live</li> </ul> If you're ready to work in a high-performance, mission-driven environment — and to make life better for those who serve — Blue Star Families is where you belong. As a fully remote organization, we rely on scheduled in-person gatherings to foster alignment, collaboration, and organizational culture. This role requires the ability to travel out of town overnight several times per year for staff offsites, planning retreats, and company-wide events. These gatherings are essential for connection, brainstorming, and staying strategically aligned across teams. Participation is required as a core part of the role.   General Description Blue Star Families is seeking an experienced, strategic, and high-energy Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead all aspects of the organization’s fundraising and revenue strategy. Reporting to the President and working closely with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and  Board of Directors, the CDO will build and execute a comprehensive development strategy that supports both near-term growth and long-term sustainability. As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CDO sets the enterprise-wide vision for philanthropy and revenue generation. This leader brings urgency, adaptability, and sharp market awareness - someone who can quickly read and respond to opportunities in an ever-changing environment while maintaining disciplined execution.  The CDO will work in close partnership with the Impact department to ensure alignment between fundraising strategy, program outcomes, and measurable mission impact, strengthening the organization’s ability to clearly articulate and deliver on its value proposition to donors and stakeholders. The ideal candidate is a bold, forward-thinking fundraiser who combines big-picture strategy with hands-on leadership. They are a natural collaborator, an engaging and charismatic relationship-builder, and a driven leader who thrives on challenge and measurable impact. The Chief Development Officer must be able to travel overnight several times per year to attend leadership retreats, staff off-sites, and organization-wide events. Participation in these gatherings is an essential function of the role. *The Chief Development Officer must reside in the National Capital Region.   Key Job Functions Enterprise Revenue & Fundraising Strategy <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Provide executive oversight of all fundraising channels, including: individual giving (major gifts, mid-level, annual fund), corporate partnerships and sponsorships, foundation and institutional grants, planned giving and endowments, capital campaigns, and special events and peer-to-peer fundraising</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Architect and drive a diversified, multi-channel revenue strategy that reduces risk and expands sustainable funding streams.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Bring energy and quickness to identifying, evaluating, and acting on emerging opportunities in philanthropy and partnerships.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Serve as a strategic thought partner to the President and CEO on growth, innovation, and long-term sustainability.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Establish ambitious yet achievable revenue targets, with clear performance metrics and accountability systems.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Align development strategy with enterprise priorities to accelerate mission impact and organizational expansion.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Partner closely with the Impact department to align funding priorities with programmatic outcomes, impact measurement, and storytelling.</li> </ul> Board & External Engagement <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Partner with the Board of Directors to strengthen governance engagement in fundraising.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Equip board members with tools, strategies, and accountability measures to support development efforts.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Serve as a primary ambassador for BSF with key donors, corporate partners, foundations, and strategic stakeholders.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Elevate BSF’s national visibility and philanthropic positioning nationally.</li> </ul> Donor & External Relations <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, corporate partners, foundations, and key stakeholders.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Personally manage a portfolio of high-capacity and transformational donors.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Demonstrate strong instincts and responsiveness in donor engagement—quickly adapting to signals, interests, and opportunities.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Ensure best-in-class stewardship, impact reporting, and alignment between funding and measurable outcomes.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Represent BSF at high-level meetings, conferences, and donor engagement events.</li> </ul> Team Leadership and Development <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Lead and oversee the Development Department, ensuring alignment, accountability, and operational excellence.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Build, mentor, and retain a high-performing, agile team capable of scaling with organizational growth.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Create and optimize systems, processes, and infrastructure to support a modern, data-driven development function.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Ensure effective use of CRM systems (Salesforce preferred), analytics, and performance dashboards.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Partner with Finance to oversee budgeting, revenue forecasting, and financial reporting.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Model a leadership style that is collaborative, fast-moving, and solutions-oriented.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Other duties as assigned</li> </ul>   Required Experience, Skills & Background <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">12+ years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience, including significant executive leadership experience.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Track record of securing six and seven-figure gifts.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">At least 10 years of experience leading and managing high-performing fundraising teams.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Demonstrated success leading  and executing a fundraising strategy for $50+ million organization.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Experience partnering closely with CEOs and Boards of Directors.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Deep knowledge and proven track record of individual, corporate, and foundation philanthropy, as well as planned giving and endowment strategy.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Strong financial acumen and experience overseeing multimillion-dollar revenue portfolios.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Expertise in CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) and development analytics.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Exceptional ability to operate with energy, agility, and sound judgment in a fast-paced, evolving environment.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Charismatic, outgoing communicator with strong executive presence and public speaking ability.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Highly driven, resilient, and motivated by ambitious goals and meaningful challenges.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Deep alignment with and commitment to the organization’s mission and values.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Willingness and ability to work nights, weekends, or holidays as required.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Ability to travel overnight several times per year for required in-person gatherings.</li> </ul>   Desired Experience, Skills & Background <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Works and communicates effectively with people from different backgrounds, and fosters teamwork.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Extensive experience working with non-profit partner organizations.</li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;">Comfort and confidence in high-visibility, external-facing roles.</li> </ul>   More About Blue Star Families Blue Star Families empowers military and Veteran families to thrive by connecting them with their civilian neighbors — both people and organizations — to create strong communities of mutual support. We believe we're all stronger when we take care of one another. Our groundbreaking research is raising the nation's awareness of the unique challenges of military family life. With the help of neighbors across the country, Blue Star Families is overcoming the isolation and alienation of frequent moves, deployments, and reduced support from the government. Our innovative programs are solving specific challenges for military families, including fighting economic insecurity with resources that foster spouse career development, creating family strength with rich family programming, and providing critical peer support for caregivers, whose numbers are only increasing. Blue Star Families is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.    EEO Policy Blue Star Families is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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