Chief Development Officer

Reports to: Executive Director
Status: Full-time, Hybrid: 1 in-person team day/week plus statewide donor and event travel
Location: Massachusetts (remote/hybrid). Most work can be done remotely, with the full team meeting in person one day/week. The role also involves attending key LEADS events, typically every 4–6 weeks currently in the Merrimack Valley, North Shore, and South Coast.

Supervises: Development and Communications staff or consultants, as hired

Salary Range: $135,000 - $150,000 depending on experience

About LEADS

At LEADS, we believe the future of Massachusetts’ Gateway Cities rests in the hands of the leaders who live and work in these communities. Our 10-month Fellowship, designed and facilitated by world-renowned leadership and systems change experts, equips those leaders with the skills, networks, and frameworks to drive transformation in their communities.

The results? More than 250 alumni across the state who continue to work together to re-shape economies, spark civic renewal and demonstrate that bold leadership can change the trajectory of entire communities. And we’re just getting started.

The Opportunity

We are on a growth trajectory and fundraising is a strategic priority to fuel our expansion in current and future markets. We’re looking for a Chief Development Officer (CDO) who’s both a strategist and a builder, someone who can design a bold vision then roll up their sleeves and make it happen. The ideal candidate brings the mindset of an architect and the drive of an operator: able to craft strategy, cultivate new relationships, inspire increased levels of multi-year generosity and close the deals that fuel and sustain growth.

This is not a “maintain what exists” kind of job. We’re scaling fast, aiming to raise $8M+ over the next five years, and we need a leader who’s fired up by the challenge of fueling that growth. As a member of our senior management team, The CDO will have the full support of the Executive Director, President, and Board with the autonomy to design operational systems to deliver results.

This role is ideal for a visionary, entrepreneurial development leader who thrives at the intersection of strategy and execution. If you’re an experienced fundraising leader with a track record of attracting new levels of philanthropic success, energized by building authentic relationships, and excited to turn strategy into measurable impact, you’ll thrive here. This is your chance to shape a growing organization and contribute to a movement unlocking opportunity across Massachusetts.

Why LEADS?

Because this is a place where you can do your best work—not just raising money but shaping the future of civic leadership in Massachusetts. You’ll bring big ideas to life alongside a bold, supportive team and some of the most innovative leaders in the state, and you will see your efforts directly fuel leaders who are transforming their communities.

What You’ll Do

As the Chief Development Officer, you’ll shape and drive LEADS’ fundraising and external affairs strategy -- setting vision, designing strategy, creating multi-year and annual development plans, building efficient systems and executing with measurable results. As a member of the leadership team, you’ll work hand-in-hand with the Executive Director, President, and an engaged board to advance the partnerships that fuel our growth. As resources grow, you’ll hire targeted capacity to round out a small but mighty team of staff and consultants, so the development function stays nimble, strategic, and built for impact.

You’ll step into a strong foundation with defined priorities, a compelling case for support, and a growing library of impact stories – and you will design the systems, processes, and team to scale LEADS’ reach and impact across the state.

Fundraising & Development (~60%)

Lead and execute a multi-year resource development strategy and plan to raise $8M+ of philanthropic dollars over the next five years.
Build and oversee signature fundraising programs including major and leadership donor giving, corporate partnerships, foundation relations, public-sector partnerships and donor engagement, ensuring that all LEADS investors have an outstanding experience supporting our organization.
Personally manage a portfolio of major donors and institutional funders, leading cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Where appropriate, partner with the Executive Director to advance high-level relationships and attract major 5, 6, and 7-figure multi-year and annual gift commitments.
Partner with leadership on a robust grant strategy, identifying opportunities, creating mission-aligned interest, and securing support.
Strengthen our donor pipeline, CRM, and fundraising infrastructure to support scalable growth.
Mobilize the board and regional champions as active fundraisers and ambassadors.

Communications & External Affairs (~25%)

Oversee and execute an integrated communications and development strategy that elevates LEADS’ visibility and inspires investment.
Partner with program staff to showcase alumni and community transformation stories.
Shape and amplify LEADS’ voice across audiences and platforms, including donor communications, impact reports, and campaign materials.

Strategic Leadership & Partnerships (~15%)

Act as a strategic growth architect, aligning fundraising strategy with organizational expansion and sustainability goals.
Collaborate with the Executive Director and President to translate goals into regional growth and development strategies.
Build and sustain transformative partnerships and high-impact relationships across the corporate, philanthropic, and public sectors to advance LEADS’ statewide impact.
Champion the organization and its mission with authenticity and passion.

Who You Are

Mission-driven, entrepreneurial, resilient and results-oriented.
7-10 years of progressive experience in fundraising and/or external affairs.
A proven closer with a track record of securing major gifts and institutional support and growing philanthropic revenue to capitalize organizational growth and impact.
A visionary strategist and builder who is as comfortable designing strategy, systems and processes as you are rolling up your sleeves to execute them.
A compelling communicator and storyteller, equally skilled in writing and in person.
A connector who builds trust quickly, mobilizes networks, and achieves measurable results.
A collaborator energized by teamwork yet fully self-sufficient in a small, fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment.
A proactive planner and problem solver with a can-do attitude who sees challenges as opportunities.

Compensation & Benefits

$135,000-$150,000 depending on experience
Competitive health and retirement benefits
Generous PTO
The opportunity to grow with an ambitious, entrepreneurial team.

To Apply

Please submit your resume, cover letter and compensation requirements to Pam Hallagan at pam.hallagan@leadsMA.org and include Chief Development Officer in the subject line. While we appreciate all applications, we will only contact shortlisted candidates for an interview.

Thank you for your interest in LEADS!

LEADS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and organizational needs.