The Chief Development Officer (CDO) will be responsible for planning, implementing, overseeing, and assessing Filoli’s comprehensive development strategies to support the organization’s mission, vision, and long-term sustainability. The CDO will report to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and will serve as a key member of the Executive Team. The CDO will represent Filoli’s philanthropic goals to all constituencies, will foster a culture of philanthropy and will advance ambitious fundraising objectives, including the $75M comprehensive six-year campaign (2024-2030), Cultivating Filoli’s Future, that seeks to raise $50M to support Preserving Heritage and Enhancing Guest Experiences projects and $25M in support of Sustainable Practices and Ecosystem Management.

The CDO manages Filoli’s annual fund, major gifts, corporate and foundation giving, planned giving, and fundraising events, and will oversee all aspects of donor engagement and stewardship. The CDO will be a member of Filoli’s Executive Team and will work closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, staff, fundraising volunteers, and community to cultivate new donors while energizing and stewarding existing relationships. In addition to maintaining a personal portfolio of major donors, the CDO will oversee campaign management, ensuring the success of initiatives that align with Filoli’s strategic vision and growth.

Role and Responsibilities

Strategic Fundraising Leadership

1. Lead and oversee all aspects of Cultivating Filoli’s Future campaign, including planning, strategy, prioritization, leadership recruitment, prospect management, performance targets, budgeting, policy oversight, and donor recognition.
2. Spearhead a comprehensive, goal-driven, short and long-term development plan that supports sustainable growth and financial health, implementing Filoli’s fundraising strategy in partnership with the CEO, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Team.
3. Establish policies, develop creative solutions, and contribute to unified decision-making as a member of the Executive Team.
4. Represent Filoli to external audiences, including individuals, organizations, and the broader philanthropic community, to enhance brand visibility and secure financial support through meetings, conferences, and speaking engagements.
5. Embrace other strategic leadership responsibilities as needed.

Board Engagement

1. Collaborate with the Board of Directors, Campaign Counsel, and the CEO to establish a Campaign Committee.
2. Devise strategies with the Campaign Committee to engage the Board of Directors, Development Committee, and other volunteer fundraisers in all phases of fundraising.
3. Build strong relationships with the Board of Directors, the Campaign Committee, and the Development Committee by reporting on the progress of all fundraising initiatives and engaging them in committee work.
4. Partner with the CEO and Nominating Committee to identify, cultivate, and recruit prospective board members.
5. Embrace other board engagement responsibilities as needed.

Development and Campaign Management

1. Lead and manage Filoli’s growing development function, strategically sustaining, and expanding its revenue base through campaign gifts, major gifts, individual giving programs, corporate and foundation giving, planned giving, and fundraising and cultivation events.
2. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a personal portfolio of current major donors while exploring opportunities for additional individual, foundation, and corporate philanthropy.
3. Ensure the strategic use of the database and other development communication tools, coordinating communications with existing and potential donors to ensure the highest level of donor engagement, satisfaction, and expressions of appreciation.
4. Collaborate with professional campaign counsel to adhere to the highest campaign standards.
5. Establish performance metrics and provide regular internal and external reports to the CEO, the Board of Directors, and staff, recommending adjustments, as necessary.
6. Maintain thorough knowledge of Filoli’s programs and develop ongoing donor communication strategies that create diverse giving opportunities within annual plans.
7. Manage the Ambassadors program, including recruitment, onboarding, staffing, evaluation, communications, and events.
8. Maintain a strategic knowledge of best practices and trends in philanthropy, including tax laws and gift tracking standards, adapting strategies, as necessary.
9. Embrace other development and campaign management responsibilities as needed.

Management and Cross-Departmental Collaboration

1. Lead the daily operations of the Development team to ensure all administrative and operational processes and systems are executed with high quality, efficiency, and effectiveness.
2. Recruit, diversify, train, mentor, inspire, and evaluate, a 10-person Development team with a focus on succession planning and professional growth.
3. Set performance standards and provide timely, constructive feedback while supporting individual professional development.
4. Collaborate with the Leadership Team to support project development, donor engagement, and organizational priorities.
5. Partner with Finance and Accounting to ensure timely completion of funder requirements, regulatory filings, and audit reports.
6. Work closely with Marketing to align development and campaign messaging with institutional branding and communication standards.
7. Partner with Membership and Experience teams to leverage platforms for new donor development.
8. Coordinate with the Property, Horticulture, Collections, and Education and Interpretation teams to maintain a fundraising grid and support project development for donor conversations.
9. Embrace other management and cross-departmental collaboration responsibilities as needed.

Traits and Characteristics

The Chief Development Officer will be an experienced and charismatic leader with a passion for Filoli’s mission and a deep appreciation of its beautiful setting. They will possess highly developed organizational skills and be well versed in development best practices. A dynamic and experienced development professional with a proven fundraising track record that includes capital campaigns, they will also be experienced in leading and mentoring teams. An inspiring communicator and authentic relationship builder, the CDO will be committed to Filoli’s efforts to integrate accountability to support and sustain a racially equitable organization.

Other key competencies include:

1. Customer Focus & Diplomacy – The sensitivity to anticipate, meet, or exceed customer needs, wants, and expectations while being able to handle difficult or sensitive issues effectively and tactfully.
2. Interpersonal Skills & Appreciating Others – The ability to communicate effectively, building rapport, and relating well to all kinds of people, and the disposition to identify with and care about others.
3. Teamwork – The ability to cooperate with others to meet objectives.
4. Flexibility & Personal Accountability – The dexterity to readily modify, respond, and adapt to change, paired with the commitment to being answerable for personal actions.

Qualifications