Chief Development Officer (CDO)

United States·Washingtonexecutive

OtherDevelopment Officer

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Quick Summary

Overview

Position: Chief Development Officer Location: On-Site – Middle East Institute, Washing DC Salary Range: $250,000 - $280,

Technical Tools

OtherDevelopment Officer

Responsibilities

~2 min read

→Develop and implement a comprehensive development strategy aligned with MEI's mission, priorities, and long-term financial needs.
→Partner with the Board of Governors and senior leadership to establish fundraising priorities, strengthen board engagement, and institutionalize development practices across the organization.
→Create and execute plans to diversify funding sources and develop sustainable revenue models.
→Lead organization-wide fundraising efforts and coordinate staff, board members, experts, and other stakeholders in support of established fundraising goals.
→Build, lead, and develop the development team, including setting priorities, clarifying responsibilities, and establishing standards for performance and accountability.
→Design and lead major-gift campaigns, with particular attention to individuals, corporations, foundations, and organizations whose interests align with MEI's mission and programs.
→Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and institutional partners in the United States and the Middle East.
→Expand MEI's donor base by identifying and engaging new audiences, prospective funders, and strategic partners.
→Develop fundraising communications and case materials that clearly explain MEI's mission, programs, impact, and funding priorities.
→Oversee the identification and pursuit of relevant government and foundation grant opportunities, including grant preparation and submission.
→Establish annual and long-term fundraising plans, goals, performance measures, and reporting practices that allow leadership and the board to evaluate progress.
→Embed consistent donor stewardship practices throughout the Institute and strengthen coordination among development, program, communications, and leadership teams.
→Represent MEI in meetings with donors, prospects, foundations, corporations, government representatives, and other external stakeholders.
→Travel as needed, including internationally, to cultivate and steward relationships with current and prospective supporters.

Requirements

~1 min read

Must have at least ten (10) years of major gifts fundraising experience.
Senior-level development or advancement experience, including responsibility for fundraising strategy, donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Demonstrated success designing and leading major-gift campaigns or comparable fundraising initiatives.
Experience building, leading, and developing a comprehensive development function and team.
Experience partnering with boards and senior leaders to advance fundraising goals and engage significant direct and indirect contributors.
Proven ability to cultivate and secure support from corporations, foundations, prominent individuals, and mission-aligned organizations.
Experience developing sophisticated fundraising communications and cases for support.
Working knowledge of grant development and application processes for government and foundation opportunities.
Ability to establish measurable goals, monitor performance, and communicate progress to executive and board-level stakeholders.
Working knowledge of the Middle East and willingness to travel and engage with potential donors and funders in the region.
Strong written, verbal, relationship-building, and presentation skills.

Knowledge of a foreign language that is relevant to MEI's work.
Professional, academic, travel, or living experience in the Middle East.
Fundraising experience within a policy, education, cultural, international affairs, or other mission-driven organization.

Builder's mindset with the initiative to create systems, strengthen capabilities, and move strategy into action.
Strategic judgment and intellectual curiosity.
Diplomacy, discretion, and the ability to build trust with varied internal and external stakeholders.
Confidence balanced with humility and a willingness to listen, learn, and collaborate.
Resourceful, solutions-oriented approach and a strong bias for action.
Commitment to MEI's mission and to the responsible stewardship of donor relationships and institutional resources.