Chief Development Officer

GBGM:

The General Board of Global Ministries is the worldwide mission, relief, and development agency of The United Methodist Church, working with partners and churches in more than 115 countries to equip and transform people and places for God’s mission. Global Ministries connects the church in mission through the sending of missionaries, evangelism and church revitalization, disaster response and recovery led by the United Methodist Committee on Relief, and global health.

HEM:

As stewards of the educational mission and intellectual life of The United Methodist Church, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) connects the church and the academy and develops transformational leaders for the ministry of the church.  Elders, deacons and licensed local pastors benefit from our training and candidacy programs. Young adults find help in clarifying their vocation and God’s call on their lives through our leadership and discernment programs. GBHEM also supports and connects networks of more than 1,000 United Methodist and Methodist-related schools, colleges, and universities around the world.

About the Role: 

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) will lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive fundraising programs to support GBGM and GBHEM’s missions. The CDO will play a critical role in sustaining and expanding the impact of GBGM and GBHEM’s missions. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the CDO will work cross-functionally to strengthen fundraising channels, build donor engagement, and guide a growing team toward long-term philanthropic success.

The CDO will oversee a comprehensive development program that includes major gifts, planned giving, direct response, digital fundraising, and disaster response fundraising. This individual will work cross-functionally with other departments to foster collaborative relationships, enhance donor experiences, and build meaningful partnerships. The CDO will lead and inspire a growing team of fundraising professionals, providing mentorship and professional development to cultivate a high-performing team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Fundraising Leadership (25% of the time) Develop and implement a forward-thinking development strategy with ambitious quarterly, annual, and long-term goals, focusing on increasing unrestricted and restricted funding. Drive an approach that leverages data, new donor acquisition, and multi-channel engagement to diversify revenue and increase giving.
• Relationship Management and Donor Development (20%) Lead and manage a portfolio of 50-75 leadership and major donors and prospects, stewarding relationships to deepen engagement and maximize giving potential. Develop innovative approaches to donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship in alignment with Global Ministries' mission and strategic priorities.
• Team Development and Portfolio Strategy (15%) Build, mentor, and oversee the development team, including portfolio strategy and management for gift officers and senior leaders. Ensure team and individual goals and metrics are met, maximizing collaborative donor engagement and elevating the effectiveness of all team members.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration (15%) Coordinate closely with Communications, Program staff, and the Advance team to create a cohesive narrative that resonates with diverse donor segments and amplifies key fundraising initiatives. Establish streamlined processes for collaboration to enhance campaign success and donor impact.
• Performance Measurement and Reporting (10%) Regularly report on progress to the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Directors providing insights into revenue growth, donor retention, and new donor acquisition. Use data-driven analytics to continuously refine strategies and inform decision-making.
• Vendor and Partner Management (10%) Manage relationships with external partners and vendors to support fundraising activities, ensuring that all outsourced services align with the organization’s strategic vision and fundraising goals.
• Governance and Compliance (5%) Ensure all fundraising activities adhere to board policies, legal regulations, and ethical standards, upholding the highest standards of integrity in gift acceptance and donor stewardship.

• Proven track record of building and scaling major gifts programs and achieving multi-million-dollar revenue goals.
• 7-10+ years of progressive experience in development, including major donor cultivation and team leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt strategies to engage donors and drive growth.
• Strong analytical, strategic planning, and collaborative skills, with a mission-focused and results-driven approach.
• Preference for candidates residing in Atlanta or the surrounding area to facilitate collaboration with the headquarters team.

Qualities and Critical Competencies

• Strategic Vision and Execution: The ideal candidate demonstrates a forward-thinking, innovative approach to creating and implementing comprehensive, long-term fundraising strategies that align with the mission and goals of GBGM and GBHEM. They set clear, measurable goals and effectively leverage data to drive decisions, continuously seeking ways to grow and diversify revenue streams to sustain and expand the organizations' impact.
• Relationship-Building and Donor Stewardship: With exceptional interpersonal skills, the CDO will have a proven track record of cultivating and maintaining strong, lasting relationships with major donors, board members, and other stakeholders. Personable and empathetic, they are highly skilled in engaging donors, committed to understanding donor motivations, and adept at aligning these motivations with the organizations' missions for meaningful, sustained support.
• Team Leadership and Development: A strong, integrity-driven leader, the CDO will be experienced in leading, mentoring, and inspiring a team of fundraising professionals. They set clear team objectives, support professional growth, and foster a collaborative environment that encourages high performance, understanding the value of a cohesive, motivated team in achieving ambitious fundraising goals and overall organizational success.
• Analytical and Data-Driven Decision Making: Detail-oriented and results-driven, the CDO will be proficient in using data analytics to inform strategic decisions, track performance, and continuously refine development strategies. They demonstrate a strong commitment to transparency and accountability, comfortable with analyzing metrics, reporting on progress, and adapting strategies to ensure donor acquisition and retention goals are met.

Working Conditions:

• Location: U.S. Remote
• Hours: 37.5/week, 9:00am - 5:00pm* (Monday - Friday; flexible start and stop time, *with lunch break)
• Travel as required to attend meetings, training, or other events; outside the US may be necessary on occasion.
• Evening and weekend meetings as necessary.
• Department: Development
• Full-Time, Exempt

What We Offer and How to Apply:

• A competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement plan, HSA/FSA, and other health and welfare benefits.
• How to Apply: Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, along with a digitally signed employment application through the applicant portal. Applications must highlight competencies against requirements, potential start date, and provide at least three references (2 supervisory references and 1 professional reference).
• To access our careers webpage and apply to the position, please scan the QR box. Please be sure to sign your application. 

We are looking to fill the position as soon as possible, so apply immediately!

If you have any questions as you complete your application, please contact

HRGeneral@umcmission.org

Global Ministries is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively encourages applications from minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements in terms of qualifications. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered unless specifically stated otherwise. All offers of employment are subject to the applicant successfully completing background, reference, and other applicable checks.