Chief Development Officer

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Description

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Founded in 1980, Urban Resource Institute (URI) is the nation’s largest provider of domestic violence shelter services and a leader in supporting homeless families. Operating 24 shelters across New York City, URI provides 3,700 beds nightly in purpose-built shelters that offer trauma-informed services including counseling, childcare, case management, and more. URI’s Justice Initiatives extend support beyond shelter, offering programs in economic empowerment, legal advocacy, youth prevention, and abusive partner intervention. URI also develops permanent affordable housing as part of its long-term commitment to safety, stability, and healing.

Salary: $225,000+

Position Overview

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is a visionary and strategic leader responsible for reimagining and executing URI’s revenue generation strategy. Reporting directly to the CEO and serving as a key member of the Executive Team, the CDO will lead a high-performing development team while cultivating new partnerships across corporate, philanthropic, and social impact sectors.

This role is ideal for an entrepreneurial, results-driven professional who thrives at the intersection of purpose and innovation. The CDO will drive multi-channel fundraising and identify new business models, revenue opportunities, and strategic alliances that position URI for long-term financial sustainability and national influence. The ideal leader will be a builder with vision, passion and relentless persistence.

Major Duties And Responsibilities

Revenue & Fundraising Strategy

• Design and lead an ambitious, future-focused fundraising strategy that includes major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation support, government grants, and emerging revenue streams (e.g., social enterprise, mission-related investments).
• Grow and diversify URI’s funding base with a focus on unrestricted revenue to support operational excellence and innovation.
• Build and steward a robust pipeline of funders and partners aligned with URI’s strategic priorities, mission, and values.
• Drive URI’s expansion into new markets by leveraging data, storytelling, and value-driven collaboration.
• Collaborate with program, finance, and communications teams to align revenue efforts with impact outcomes and strategic growth plans.

Strategic Partnerships & Innovation

• Identify and cultivate cross-sector partnerships with corporations, institutions, and high-impact individuals to advance URI’s mission and generate new funding.
• Co-create innovative models (e.g., pay-for-success initiatives, fee-for-service consulting, joint ventures) to expand URI’s portfolio of impact and revenue.
• Lead external engagement strategies that raise visibility, credibility, and influence URI in philanthropic, business, and civic communities.

Board Engagement & Expansion

• Partner with the CEO and Board Chair to elevate the Board’s role in fundraising and network development.
• Lead Board growth efforts by identifying and recruiting new members with influence, affluence, and alignment to URI’s future-focused agenda.
• Provide strategic coaching to trustees to activate their giving and ambassadorship potential.

Development Operations & Team Leadership

• Modernize and professionalize all fundraising systems, tools, and processes to support scale and sustainability.
• Mentor, empower, and grow a high-performing development team grounded in collaboration, creativity, and accountability.
• Foster a data-driven culture that values performance metrics, donor stewardship, and learning.
• Develop and implement performance metrics and evaluation tools to ensure the team’s performance meets or exceeds fundraising targets and other organizational goals.
• Ensure top-quality proposal development, grant reporting, CRM management, and prospect tracking systems.

Executive Leadership & Influence

• Serve as a trusted thought partner to the CEO and Executive Team on organizational strategy, growth, and mission alignment.
• Lead the annual planning and budgeting process for the development department, ensuring that goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound (SMART).
• Provide regular updates to the CEO and Board on fundraising progress and challenges and make recommendations for course correction as needed.
• Represent URI at major external events, donor forums, and strategic convenings.
• Champion a culture of transparency, equity, and inclusive philanthropy across internal and external stakeholders.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Advanced degree preferred.

Required Skills And Experience

• Minimum 10 years of senior development or external affairs experience with proven revenue growth across diverse funding streams.
• Demonstrated success in building and closing 6- and 7-figure partnerships with major donors, corporations, and foundations.
• Track record of designing and leading innovative development strategies, including social impact partnerships and alternative revenue models.
• Deep understanding of fundraising technology, CRM systems (preferably Salesforce), and data-informed decision-making.
• Exceptional relationship-building and storytelling skills across diverse audiences including donors, C-suite leaders, community partners, and funders.
• Experience leading and growing inclusive teams with a commitment to professional development, mentorship, and equity.
• Knowledge of or connection to NYC’s philanthropic, corporate, and government ecosystems preferred.
• Passion for URI’s mission and a personal commitment to social justice, equity, and systems change.

Specifications For Physical Requirements

• Will be required to travel occasionally for funder meetings, site visits, and events.
• Will be required to work at a computer for extended periods.
• May be required to lift up to 10 pounds occasionally.

Application

Interested candidates should send resume and cover letter to:

Nadia Thompson, email: [email protected]

Qualifications

Education

Required

• Bachelors or better

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights ( notice from the Department of Labor.

If you have questions about this posting, please contact [email protected]