Chief Development Officer (Boston)

United Way of Massachusetts Bay

Boston, MA 02298

United States

Posted July 1, 2025

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Valid until July 31, 2025

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Job Description

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United Way of Massachusetts Bay provided pay range

This range is provided by United Way of Massachusetts Bay . Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$200,000.00/yr - $225,000.00/yr

ABOUT UNITED WAY

United Way of Massachusetts Bay exists to build more equitable communities, together. With 90 years of local impact in eastern Massachusetts, we work with and for our communities to create economic prosperity and enable everyone, across races and ethnicities, to share in the knowledge, wealth, and resources available. We believe that the key to unlocking opportunity is uniting people, and we bring together individuals, community leaders, corporate partners, legislators, and organizations to build a powerful engine of change.

UWMB targets efforts in the following areas:

Quality, affordable childcare and out-of-school time care
Educational and career pathways for youth and young adults
Safe and stable housing
Wealth building and financial inclusion

United Way invests over $45 million annually in a portfolio of over 300 community-based organizations. We spearhead public policy initiatives that tackle the most pressing community issues, making a direct and sustained difference in individuals' lives.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The United Way of Massachusetts Bay (UWMB) seeks a proven, effective fundraising leader who will champion our organization's work building stronger, more equitable communities across the region. Reporting to and partnering with the CEO, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) will lead a robust effort to increase and diversify revenue and raise $50 million annually to meet the organization's operational goals and community investments. The ideal leader will bring extensive senior-level fundraising experience and a demonstrated track record of success in driving significant philanthropic outcomes. Equally important, this leader will be hands-on, ready to engage in the day-to-day work required to build and sustain a high-performing development function within an organization of this scale.

The CDO builds robust relationships working closely with the board, volunteers, colleagues, and constituents to articulate and achieve ambitious goals. The CDO has exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to represent the United Way effectively to diverse audiences. They desire to explore new ideas and approaches to solving problems and creatively and strategically address how donors want to leverage their philanthropy. They will be a team player who will work across the entire enterprise to build support for fundraising efforts that need strengthening and strategies with long-term success.

The CDO learns from key stakeholders to embrace the value of the United Way network. They can build collaboration among people and across organizational structures, while honoring the history of and respecting the culture and values of the UWMB. They must understand the role of philanthropic agencies, be comfortable addressing community needs and concerns, and be familiar with public policy issues. Along with the above, they will be a leader who shares the United Way's commitment to working with action and intention while listening to and respecting the voices of the most marginalized communities we serve.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

An accomplished fundraiser, the CDO will lead and manage a team of 15+ professionals responsible for raising at least $50 million annually. This will include strengthening current efforts to produce increased revenue and implementing new approaches to fundraising that are still in their earliest stages at the organization. The CDO, a member of the Senior Leadership

Team, will have oversight of five key functions:

Individual Giving & Major Gifts
Corporate Partnerships and Workplace Campaigns
Foundations & Grants
Special Events
Development Operations

The CDO will expand and diversify fundraising by integrating corporate and workplace giving and strategically focusing on robust individual major gift initiatives. The CDO will also lead the refinement and implementation of an ambitious organizational fundraising strategy and annual plans for major gifts, foundation relations, corporate giving, special events, and planned giving.

The CDO will accomplish this through the following:

Building off the existing structure to sharpen the overall strategy and implement a robust effort to increase and sustain revenue from all sources
Partnering closely with the CEO and other key leaders to strengthen current efforts and build an enhanced approach to reach revenue targets
Leveraging the CEO, the board, and other key stakeholders to create and maintain key external relationships
Creating initiatives to expand United Way's prospect pipeline by accessing new and leveraging existing networks
Providing strong direction and management for the development division, including effective systems, processes, and measurements to monitor, project, and guide fundraising results
Being a team player with senior colleagues and building a collaborative approach in advancing a robust fundraising agenda
Thriving in a fast-paced environment where commitment to the mission drives the work

REQUIREMENTS

There are innumerable ways to learn, grow, and excel professionally. We respect this when we review applications and take a broad look at each applicant's experience. We want to get to know you and learn about the unique strengths you will bring to the work. We will most likely be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate most of the qualifications and experiences listed below.

Progressive senior leadership experience in nonprofit fundraising, preferably in health, human service, or other complex nonprofit organizations
Significant experience managing direct reports with strong leadership skills that include the ability to motivate, influence, and hold staff accountable to high standards and goals
A curiosity, understanding, and enthusiasm for the work of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay
Expertise in strategic and operational development planning for both short- and long-term impact, with experience in change management
Demonstrated success in building, managing, and leading a complex team
A track record of raising budgets of at least $15 million and executing a fundraising strategy that includes principal gifts of at least $1 million
Exceptional reasoning, problem-solving, and analytical skills, including an ability to translate ideas and concepts into clear, actionable initiatives
Excellent interpersonal skills with a passion for creating relationships and drawing out the best in colleagues, volunteers, and community leaders
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an emphasis on the ability to persuade and influence others around ideas, decisions, and financial support
Ability to leverage and communicate effectively with multiple audiences, including executive leaders, Board members, donors, and staff
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
A bachelor's degree is required, with an advanced degree preferred for this level role.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

United Way of Massachusetts Bay offers a comprehensive benefits package. The salary range for this position is $200,000-$225,000. Benefits include a BCBS PPO plan, dental coverage, a 401k retirement savings plan with company match and an employer base contribution, and a generous PTO policy including extended holiday and summer hours. We also offer staff a hybrid work schedule in our new office environment in Boston. Some travel within our service area is expected to effectively engage with community partners and donors.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates are encouraged to promptly submit their application and a thoughtfully written cover letter to the attention of Positively Partners through our online portal. For confidential inquiries or assistance in completing the application, please contact us via email at , and a member of our team will follow up.

TIMELINE AND HIRING PROCESS

We will review and respond to all applications received. While subject to change, candidates elected to advance throughout the process can expect two interviews with the search team, an interview with members of the Search Committee (representatives of the Board and staff), and for finalists, an interview day with Board members and staff, including a robust and holistic reference check process. The expected start date is early Fall 2025.

United Way of Massachusetts Bay is committed to hiring individuals that reflect the diversity of our communities.