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Chief development officer vs development director

The differences between chief development officers and development directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a chief development officer and a development director. Additionally, a chief development officer has an average salary of $116,047, which is higher than the $107,044 average annual salary of a development director.

The top three skills for a chief development officer include kids, oversight and CDO. The most important skills for a development director are digital marketing, oversight, and patients.

Chief development officer vs development director overview

Chief Development OfficerDevelopment Director
Yearly salary$116,047$107,044
Hourly rate$55.79$51.46
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs135,51163,008
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a chief development officer do?

A chief development officer is responsible for joining the senior management team in incorporating business decisions that would benefit the organization in achieving long-term goals and objectives. Chief development officers lead the growth planning and strategizing techniques to improve operations and ensure customer satisfaction. They approve budgets and resources allocation across the organization to serve business functions and address issues. A chief development officer must have excellent communication and leadership skills, especially in raising funds and maintaining healthy relationships with business partners.

What does a development director do?

A development director is an individual who is responsible for securing funds and sponsors for non-profit organizations. Development directors must actively seek new business partners and develop relationships with volunteers and donors. They meet with members of the development team to help advertise and promote brand awareness and funding. Development directors must possess skills and experience in managing human resources, marketing, and budgeting functions. They must also obtain a bachelor's degree in business management, public relations, or related field.

Chief development officer vs development director salary

Chief development officers and development directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Chief Development OfficerDevelopment Director
Average salary$116,047$107,044
Salary rangeBetween $67,000 And $199,000Between $64,000 And $177,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYJersey City, NJ
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew Jersey
Best paying companyMcKinsey & Company IncCornerstone Research
Best paying industryProfessional-

Differences between chief development officer and development director education

There are a few differences between a chief development officer and a development director in terms of educational background:

Chief Development OfficerDevelopment Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Chief development officer vs development director demographics

Here are the differences between chief development officers' and development directors' demographics:

Chief Development OfficerDevelopment Director
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 66.7% Female, 33.3%Male, 50.2% Female, 49.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between chief development officer and development director duties and responsibilities

Chief development officer example responsibilities.

  • Manage SDLC process, while participating in requirements gathering, functional documentation, data analysis, and implementation plans.
  • Collaborate with, and provide oversight for, community providers, vendors, and contractors.
  • Partner with architects and provide weekly construction oversight.
  • Serve as back-up for payroll processing and benefits administrator.
  • Coordinate alumni benefits program, including travel and marketing services.
  • Thank and recognize donors in an appropriate and timely manner and manage and maintain donor database including updating and managing files.
  • Show more

Development director example responsibilities.

  • Manage CRM program for coordination and partnerships with marketing resources.
  • Manage website re-launch, create communications plan, co-le rebranding taskforce.
  • Manage clients and internal production team to meet budget and scope of contract eLearning solutions.
  • Help manage the CRM system with input and output for the resource development department and the entire organization.
  • Manage analytical method validation and method transfer to QC and CMOs for APIs, excipients, and finish products.
  • Hire, manage and train a team of six sourcing professionals as well as a team of 3 QA managers.
  • Show more

Chief development officer vs development director skills

Common chief development officer skills
  • Kids, 13%
  • Oversight, 9%
  • CDO, 7%
  • Strategic Plan, 7%
  • Relationship Building, 6%
  • Fundraising Strategy, 6%
Common development director skills
  • Digital Marketing, 8%
  • Oversight, 6%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Lead Generation, 5%
  • ROI, 4%
  • Project Management, 4%

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