Chief Development Officer

POSITION SUMMARY:

Huckleberry Youth Programs (HYP) seeks a visionary, equity-centered fundraising executive to lead and grow a comprehensive development and communications function in support of an approximate $10M+ annual operating budget. The Chief Development Officer serves as a key member of the executive leadership team and architect of a multi-year revenue strategy as we embark on our next strategic plan. This leader will build sustainable philanthropic infrastructure aligned to our organizational values, deepen donor engagement, strengthen board partnership in fundraising, and diversify revenue across individual, corporate, foundation, and government sources. The CDO will build authentic, trusted relationships with donors and partners and ensure an excellent donor experience, and will work cross-functionally across the organization to ensure development is aligned with all program delivery, marketing, events, and community engagement efforts. This role will manage development, marketing and communications and event staff members within the organization.

This role balances strategic vision with operational rigor, inspiration and joy. It requires a leader who can set bold direction while remaining agile to a rapidly changing fundraising ecosystem, build organizational systems that scale, cultivate transformational gifts, and inspire a high-performing team working in solidarity with young people and their families to advance their personal growth and social equity.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP & ORGANIZATIONAL IMPACT

• Both strategic and hands-on, comfortable setting vision while also rolling up your sleeves to execute, problem-solve, and move work forward in a lean, evolving organization.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year fundraising and revenue diversification strategy aligned with organizational growth goals.
• Serve as a core member of the Executive Team, shaping long-term strategy and ensuring sustainable resourcing.
• Serve as the leader to build on existing organizational branding, marketing and communications plans alongside CEO, Executive Team and program staff.
• Partner with the CEO and Board of Directors to embed fundraising accountability and expand board engagement in philanthropy.
• Clarify and elevate HYP’s case for support, ensuring compelling messaging that reflects impact, equity commitments, and community voice.
• Ensure fundraising practices reflect diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and values-based philanthropy standards.

REVENUE GENERATION, DONOR ENGAGEMENT & MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS

• Partner with Senior Director of Development & Director of Institutional Giving on strategy for major gifts, mid-level giving, annual fund, institutional grants (foundation and government), corporate partnerships, marketing/communications and events.
• Personally cultivate and manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects capable of six- and seven-figure contributions.
• Design and execute innovative donor engagement strategies including site visits, curated experiences, and impact storytelling.
• Strengthen foundation and government grant strategy in partnership with program leadership.
• Expand grassroots and community-based fundraising initiatives.
• A relationship-centered fundraiser and storyteller who can translate complex, place-based work into compelling cases for support that resonate with diverse donors, partners, and communities.
• Ensure consistent, compelling messaging that supports fundraising, membership, and community engagement goals.

DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS & INFRASTRUCTURE

• Oversee CRM strategy, donor data integrity, forecasting, and analytics to drive decision-making.
• Formalize systems for gift processing, stewardship, prospect research, and revenue reporting.
• Establish annual and multi-year revenue projections and monitor progress toward goals.
• Develop advancement policies, procedures, and performance metrics that professionalize and scale the function.
• Ensure compliance, confidentiality, and ethical standards in all fundraising activities.

TEAM LEADERSHIP & CULTURE

• Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing development team.
• Establish clear team and individual goals, growth plans, and professional development pathways.
• Foster a collaborative, transparent, and mission-driven team culture.
• Align development, communications, program, and finance teams to ensure cohesive strategy and execution.

EXTERNAL RELATIONS & REPRESENTATION

• Serve as an ambassador with funders, corporate partners, elected officials, and community stakeholders.
• Represent HYP at public events, including government budgetary meetings, donor gatherings, and strategic convenings.
• Build and steward relationships across the local and regional philanthropic landscape.

LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES

• Relationship-driven, human-centered and emotionally intelligent.
• Entrepreneurial builder comfortable in evolving environments.
• Resilient, adaptable, and systems-oriented.
• Mission-aligned, values-driven, and community-rooted.
• Sense of humor and ability to cultivate joy.
• Professional commitment to social justice; previous experience in a social justice environment highly preferred.
• Enthusiasm for communicating HYP’s vision and goals, reflecting a dedication to social justice, equity and belonging.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• 10+ years of experience in fundraising, especially in major donor cultivation and direct solicitation (including a proven track record of closing 6- and 7-figure gifts), as well as institutional and government funding
• Demonstrated success securing major and transformational gifts across individual, institutional and government sources.
• Experience building or significantly scaling a development function and team structures.
• Proven ability to partner effectively with CEOs and Boards in fundraising.
• Strong operational and CRM expertise; experience leveraging data to inform strategy.
• Exceptional communication and storytelling skills.
• Understanding and skillset in social media platforms and engagement.
• Deep commitment to equity, ethical fundraising, and community-centered philanthropy.
• Experience supervising and developing senior-level fundraising staff.
• Strong knowledge of local, state and national donors, foundations, etc.; existing relationships with these donor entities preferred.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position supervises the Senior Director of Development, Director of Institutional Giving and Development team members.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This position operates in an on-site/hybrid model. Initial 90 day orientation period will be on-site and the supervisor will evaluate a hybrid model with the candidate. The HYP Administrative Offices are located in San Francisco and are accessible by public transportation. This position operates in a professional office environment using standard equipment. Some evening and weekend work is required for donor events and staff outings at various Bay Area locations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position requires the ability to move throughout an office environment, when necessary, and at off-site event venues to manage development activities, such as donor meetings or fundraising events. Frequently communicates with stakeholders to exchange accurate information regarding fundraising initiatives, proposals, and events. Performs work in a home office or professional office setting with the ability to travel to various locations. Position operates in a fast-paced environment with frequent deadlines. Frequently operates a computer, printer, and other office productivity machinery. Ability to move or transport items weighing up to 15−20 pounds (e.g., event materials, promotional items) occasionally. Generally, the working conditions have little or no exposure to extremes in safety hazards or hazardous materials.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION STATEMENT

HYP is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, HYP will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at hr@huckleberryyouth.org.

SECURITY CLEARANCE:

1. Must pass DOJ/FBI background check

OTHER DUTIES:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

Huckleberry Youth Programs is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing equal opportunity to its employees and applicants for employment without discrimination on the basis of race; color; ethnic background; religion; gender; gender identity or expression; sexual orientation; national origin; ancestry; age; marital status; pregnancy, childbirth, or other related medical condition; disability, including HIV- related conditions; or status as a covered veteran. This policy applies to every aspect of employment, including but not limited to: hiring, advancement, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, compensation, benefits, training and working conditions.

FAIR CHANCE:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

BENEFITS

Huckleberry Youth Programs offers a benefits package to all team members who work 50% FTE or more that includes:

• 100% contribution toward medical, dental, vision, acupuncture & chiropractic for employees and 50% coverage for eligible dependents
• 16 Vacation days in the first year of employment - accruals begin day 1
• 12 Personal Necessity Days
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programs
• Flexible spending for medical, dependent care and commute
• 403(b) retirement plan (non-match)
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• Position may meet qualifications for Perkins Student Loan cancellation