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.
Chief development officer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real chief development officer resumes:
- 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.
- Prepare scripts, talking points, and PowerPoint presentations for board and staff presentations.
- Co-Found asset manager focuse on foreign currencies and derivatives on equity indexes
- Craft innovative plan for rebranding agency image; plan and implement new outreach focusing on culturally aware approaches.
- Direct professional staff responsible for the implementation of HUD programs for the construction and rehabilitation of multi-family housing projects.
Chief development officer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Chief Development Officers are proficient in Kids, Oversight, and CDO. They’re also known for soft skills such as Problem-solving skills, Speaking skills, and Writing skills.
We break down the percentage of Chief Development Officers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Kids, 13%
Solicited and closed major gifts from adult "Museum Kids" - first time effort at the museum.
- Oversight, 9%
Partnered with architects and provided weekly construction oversight.
- CDO, 7%
Awarded 50% co-ownership, served as CDO until I surrendered my ownership and resigned.
- Strategic Plan, 7%
Led a cross-functional strategic planning and process improvement team in an 800-person maintenance repair and overhaul organization.
- Relationship Building, 6%
Managed a team of 3 Employer Development associates responsible for relationship building and day-to-day operations of the Career Management Center.
- Fundraising Strategy, 6%
Created and implemented national fundraising strategy to ensure costs of the disaster were covered.
Common skills that a chief development officer uses to do their job include "kids," "oversight," and "cdo." You can find details on the most important chief development officer responsibilities below.
Problem-solving skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a chief development officer to have is problem-solving skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "managers sometimes must explain how the company or client is handling sensitive issues." Chief development officers often use problem-solving skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "designed/implemented sound business practices, thus transforming corporate culture, instituted team-based solutions, and facilitated leadership development/training. "
Speaking skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling chief development officer duties is speaking skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "public relations and fundraising managers regularly speak on behalf of their organization." According to a chief development officer resume, here's how chief development officers can utilize speaking skills in their job responsibilities: "designed and presented training in civilian human resources management of programs for army major commands. "
Writing skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of chief development officers is writing skills. This skill is critical to many everyday chief development officer duties, as "managers must be able to write well-organized and clear press releases and speeches." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "drive and own the patent ip war chest process, and integrally contributed to writing 35 patent applications. "
Leadership skills. chief development officer responsibilities often require "leadership skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "public relations and fundraising managers often lead large teams of specialists or fundraisers and must be able to guide their activities." This resume example shows what chief development officers do with leadership skills on a typical day: "awarded department of defense (dod) citation for creating the best leadership development program in the dod. "
Organizational skills. Another common skill required for chief development officer responsibilities is "organizational skills." This skill comes up in the duties of chief development officers all the time, as "public relations and fundraising managers are often in charge of running several events at the same time, requiring superior organizational skills." An excerpt from a real chief development officer resume shows how this skill is central to what a chief development officer does: "instituted organizational development plan to reflect shift of policies and procedures for planning, reporting and infrastructure changes. "
Communication skills. Lastly, "communication skills" is an important element of what a chief development officer does. Chief development officer responsibilities require this skill because "managers deal with the public regularly; therefore, they must be friendly enough to build a rapport with, and receive cooperation from, their media contacts and donors." This resume example highlights how chief development officer duties rely on this skill: "provided general oversight of all of the foundation's development activities, including fund raising, communications and public relations. "
The three companies that hire the most chief development officers are:
- Aspen Valley Hospital4 chief development officers jobs
- Panda Express2 chief development officers jobs
- Trinity Health2 chief development officers jobs
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Compare different chief development officers
Chief development officer vs. Executive vice president
An executive vice president is responsible for monitoring departmental operations, managing customer relationships, developing the company's strategic goals, and identifying business opportunities that would maximize the company's performance, drive revenues, and achieve the business's profitability goals. Executive vice presidents contribute to sales innovations, negotiate business contracts, analyze financial reports, and minimize the company's expenses without compromising high-quality operations and customer satisfaction. An executive vice president must have excellent leadership and communication skills to support its daily operations to achieve its long-term goals and objectives.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between chief development officers and executive vice president. For instance, chief development officer responsibilities require skills such as "kids," "cdo," "relationship building," and "fundraising strategy." Whereas a executive vice president is skilled in "financial statements," "healthcare," "revenue growth," and "evp." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Executive vice presidents earn the highest salaries when working in the telecommunication industry, with an average yearly salary of $198,405. On the other hand, chief development officers are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $116,349.On average, executive vice presidents reach similar levels of education than chief development officers. Executive vice presidents are 3.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Chief development officer vs. Division director
A division director is an individual who is responsible for managing team members and business operations that are assigned in his/her or her division to achieve the goals of a company. Division directors are required to evaluate division performance and ensure that the team's work complies with the company policies and procedures. They must lead new business development efforts with customers or brokers and should work closely with legal to ensure the protection of the company's interest. Division directors also assist in employee recruitment and provide training to the team if there are skill gaps.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that chief development officer responsibilities requires skills like "kids," "cdo," "relationship building," and "fundraising strategy." But a division director might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "client relationships," "customer service," "healthcare," and "patients."
Division directors may earn a higher salary than chief development officers, but division directors earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $161,467. On the other hand, chief development officers receive higher pay in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $116,349.division directors earn similar levels of education than chief development officers in general. They're 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Chief development officer vs. Managing director
A Managing Director oversees workflow and progress, making sure that all operations align within the company or organization's mission or set of goals. They are responsible for crafting strategies, devising effective business plans, and executing guidelines that would nurture a company's growth, and as well as to be the driving force that would direct employees to the company's objectives. Furthermore, a Managing Director must coordinate with those in a higher position, such as the members of the board.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a chief development officer is likely to be skilled in "kids," "cdo," "relationship building," and "fundraising strategy," while a typical managing director is skilled in "healthcare," "portfolio," "project management," and "customer service."
Managing directors earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $177,065. Comparatively, chief development officers have the highest earning potential in the professional industry, with an average salary of $116,349.managing directors typically earn similar educational levels compared to chief development officers. Specifically, they're 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Chief development officer vs. Division vice president
Division Vice Presidents are company executives that oversee a particular department or division. They are often employed in companies with a varied product line or wide geographical reach, thus needing divisions to streamline processes. Division Vice Presidents should have a solid background in the particular division that they are handling. They ensure that their division's performance is at par or would even exceed company targets and expectations.
Types of chief development officer
Updated January 8, 2025
