Chief Development Officer

**Summary of Responsibilities:
**The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is responsible for leading and executing the organization’s comprehensive fundraising strategy. This role oversees all philanthropic revenue streams—including individual giving, major gifts, corporate and foundation grants, planned giving, annual fundraising campaigns, special events, and donor stewardship. The CDO plays a crucial leadership role with an exceptionally invested and generous community of donors and staff. They will enhance the development strategy and lead the day-to-day operations of the development team. They need to lead by example by personally driving major and leadership-level gift solicitations while also training, inspiring, supporting, and bringing cohesion to an evolving Development team. They will foster collaboration, maintain a positive, productive work environment and ensure the team has the resources and guidance needed to succeed.

**Who We Are:
The Zekelman Holocaust Center (The HC) was founded by Michigan survivors in 1984 as a lasting memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. Our mission is to engage, educate, and empower through remembrance so that individuals and society will recognize, combat, and prevent antisemitism, discrimination, and hate-based violence. The Center teaches history’s darkest period to 100,000 visitors each year, including students and adults of all backgrounds. Our new permanent exhibit places Holocaust victim and survivor stories at the center, making extensive use of archival footage, images and video testimony. Artifacts include an authentic WWII-era boxcar and a sapling from the tree located outside Anne Frank’s hiding place window. The Center also invites the public to make use of its 20,000 volume Library Archive. Museum Educators and Docents provide customized tours, workshops and programs, empowering visitors to apply the lessons of the Holocaust to create a more compassionate world where people take responsible action. **The HC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

We value candidates who are community-oriented and civic-minded, and who demonstrate a commitment to serving others.

**Why Join Us:
**First and foremost, you will be making a difference in the world. Benefits include tremendous work/life balance, medical/dental/vision insurance, organization-matching 401K, generous holiday schedule, and much more.

Responsibilities:

• Be an active participant in the planning and execution of the $100M capital campaign ($60M is already solidified)
• Build relationships with existing donors, and be present at events and programs throughout the year
• Serve as a key member of the leadership team, contributing to organizational decision-making.

Leadership and Strategy

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the Development team to meet or exceed annual revenue targets.
• In partnership with the CEO, lead efforts to identify and secure new major individual donors at the seven-figure level.

Note: A separate Director of Development, reporting to the CEO, is dedicated exclusively to a small number of $1M+ donor relationships tied to the comprehensive campaign. (That role operates independently and does not oversee or manage Development department staff or operations.)

• Guide the Major Gift Officers in donor and partner cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to raise the remaining balance toward the capital campaign goal.
• Lead the team in developing a fundraising plan that allows for new donor development, increased annual donor support, stewardship of donors and securing of long-term commitments.
• Develop a comprehensive development strategy, including annual and longer-term revenue goals and plans to diversify and increase organizational budget from foundation and individual donors (major donor, smaller-level donors, online, etc.), as well as other appropriate sources such as corporate sponsorships.
• Establish performance metrics, improve processes, and cascade fundraising best practices across the department.
• Guide foundation and government grant strategy, including working closely with grant writers on proposal development, relationship management, and reporting.
• Ensure a high-quality donor experience through effective stewardship, recognition, and relationship-building practices

Gala Planning & Execution

• Lead the efforts of the planning, coordination, engagement, fundraising and execution of all aspects of the annual Gala. Currently, over 1200 people attend.
• Work closely with the Senior Event Manager to oversee all aspects of the evening
• Work closely with the Major Gift Officers to ensure comprehensive outreach to all Gala donors and prospects, with a focus on maximizing attendance, sponsorships, and giving opportunities throughout the event cycle.

Staff Management & Organizational Culture

• Manage a team of 11 development/marketing professionals, including seven direct reports, and ensure alignment between fundraising, marketing/communications, and organizational priorities.
• Recruit, train, inspire, and manage staff, creating a dynamic, effective, and integrated Development team.
• Develop clearly defined expectations, processes, systems, metrics, and performance measures to foster an environment of achievement and to ensure staff accountability for excellence.
• Ensure compliance with ethical fundraising standards and donor confidentiality requirements.