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Executive Search - Chief Development Officer
Sterling Search Inc. has been exclusively retained to recruit the new Chief Development Officer (CDO) for Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC): https://www.capoc.org/
About CAP OC
Community Action Partnership of Orange County is EPIC
We live our values of Excellence, Proactiveness, Innovation, and Collaboration with more than 100 employees and a budget of over $45 million to help people and change livesBorn out of the War on Poverty more than 60 years ago, Community Action Partnership Orange County (CAP OC) is a trusted resource for Orange County community members who face obstacles such as food insecurity, unemployment, economic turmoil, and more. We walk alongside the people we serve and act to meet immediate needs without delay. Our programs help empower people to improve their lives and their communities. We see poverty as an unacceptable reality for our neighbors and rally with key partners to help facilitate change.
Our mission is to end and prevent poverty by stabilizing, sustaining, and empowering people with the resources they need when they need them. By forging strategic partnerships, we form a powerful force to improve our community.
Youth and Family Programs

• Implementing progra
• ms and services in nutrition education, physical activity promotion, policy, systems, and environmental change, advocacy, community building and sustainability efforts, and training.

Energy & Environmental Services

• Utility assistance programs help low-income clients who need assistance paying their utilities,receive discounts, receive assistance during crisis, and learn through consumer education how to conserve energy and reduce their energy burdens, resulting in savings.

Orange County Food Bank

• Making a positive impact in people's lives by helping them meet basic needs and strengthen their support system. The OC Food Bank works with nearly 400 local charities, soup kitchens, and community organizations to end hunger and malnutrition.

The Opportunity
Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC) is one of the most trusted and recognized organizations in the region in the fight against poverty. But their work doesn't stop there. CAP OC is constantly assessing emerging community needs to determine how best to leverage its intellectual capital, robust data, and extensive partnerships to drive meaningful innovation. Whether transforming property assets into affordable housing, advocating for critical policy issues, or collaborating with peer nonprofits to increase collective impact, CAP OC remains at the forefront of community-focused solutions.
Over the past eight years, under the leadership of CEO Gregory C. Scott, the organization has experienced significant growth across its programs, services, and overall revenue. Development revenue has increased from approximately $1 million to more than $4 million, reflecting a strong strategic approach and a sustained commitment to community impact. Building on this momentum, the organization is now clearly poised to approach the $8 to $10 million mark and set the stage for a potential comprehensive campaign within the next four to five years.
Building on a strong foundation of loyal long-time donors and a well-established annual fund, including two flagship events, Night of Hope and the Anti-Poverty Gala, the CDO will inherit assets that offer both stability and exceptional potential. These deeply rooted relationships and high-impact donor events provide a powerful springboard for expanding philanthropic revenue and building a high performing Major Gifts program that inspires major and transformational gifts aligned with CAP OC's mission and strategic priorities.
The CDO will simultaneously strengthen and expand the team, developing and mentoring staff to build the skills required to achieve these objectives. They will establish a clear performance management framework that aligns goals, metrics, and expectations, empowering employees to grow, innovate, and deliver meaningful results.
Working in close partnership with the CEO, the CDO leads CAP OC's external presence across the county, Sacramento, and Washington, D.C., shaping the organization's community engagement, advocacy, marketing, communications, and fundraising efforts. This is a unique moment for an accomplished development and communications executive to join an established, mission-driven organization poised for significant expansion in philanthropic revenue and community impact.
Position Overview
The Chief Development Officer (CDO) provides executive leadership for Community Action Partnership of Orange County's comprehensive advancement, public engagement, and business development strategy. The CDO strengthens the organization's capacity to deliver measurable outcomes for thousands of residents by building sustainable philanthropic support, elevating CAP OC's brand and public narrative, and expanding high-impact partnerships.
Role Summary
Reporting to the President and CEO, the Chief Development Officer serves as a strategic business partner and trusted advisor, driving fundraising, marketing, public relations, executive visibility, and community development efforts while supporting CEO thought leadership, influence, and external engagement. This role works closely with executive leadership and the Board of Directors to ensure alignment between Mission, message, and measurable results.
The CDO leads and inspires the philanthropic team in advancement efforts to secure major gifts, corporate donations, grant solicitation, planned giving, and in-kind resources through a robust sustainability strategy. The CDO increases CAP OC's brand in existing markets and establish new dynamic stakeholder relationships. This position works closely with the Chief Financial Officer to ensure that cash flow reports are current and financial projections are inclusive of all fundraising efforts.
Essential Job Duties
Philanthropic Leadership and Revenue Growth:

• Leads and executes a comprehensive advancement strategy, encompassing corporate philanthropy, foundation and government grants, planned giving, sponsorships, in-kind support, and signature events.
• Builds diversified, sustainable revenue streams that align with CAP OC's strategic priorities andannual operating budget.
• Proactively engages funding program support of the Board of Directors and the President andCEO.
• Upholds the highest ethics in philanthropic activities.
• Increases productivity through the successful evaluate all philanthropic activities and processes
• Stays ahead of trends in the community or region and adapt philanthropic strategies asnecessary.
• Develops and manages targeted fundraising timelines which include both private and governmentrevenue support.
• Designs effective policies and procedures.
• Secures grant funding through the implementation of effective philanthropic acquisitions andrenewals that include individual, corporate and local/state/federal funds.
• Prepares letters, reports, proposals, and grant applications in conjunction with other agencydepartments.
• Executes special strategic philanthropic events including the annual fundraising event.
• Secures relationships with corporate, community and individual prospects for the organization's philanthropic priorities.
• Maintains high levels of confidentiality and oversees the administration of a donor mailing list and
• database which respects the privacy and confidentiality of donor information.
• Fosters an understanding of philanthropy and transforms the culture within the organization.
• Holds quarterly or as-needed Grant Approval meetings with the Senior Leadership Team to obtain approval for new funding opportunities as well as updates on current fundraising milestones with grants and donors.
• Develops and gains approval for an annual income and expenditure budget for the philanthropic program.
• Prepares annual budget, regular reports on progress, receipts, and expenditures related to philanthropic and the management of the philanthropic activities; reports to both the President and CEO and the Board.
• Sits on the Board Fund Development Committee and assists the Committee Chair with agendas and reports.
• Monitors expenses and analyze budget reports on philanthropy and recommend changes as necessary.

Community Development:

• Directly supervises and provides strategic leadership to the Director of Community Development, ensuring alignment with CAP OC's Mission, compliance standards, and long-term growth objectives.
• In partnership with the Director of Community Development, ensures the successful oversight and execution of all government grants, including CSBG, as well as communication with the California
• Department of Community Services and Development (CSD), from grant application and approval, to grant monitoring and reporting.
• Provides strategic oversight of community housing initiatives and capital development projects, including transitional housing, expansion efforts, site acquisition and potential relocation initiatives, while advancing funding strategies and securing public and and private resources to increase CAPOC's capacity to serve families in crisis.
• Ensures government-funded programs and housing initiatives are aligned with organizational financial sustainability, performance metrics, and long-term community impact goals.

Marketing and Communications:

• Provides strategic oversight of the CAP OC brand, ensuring consistent positioning, messaging, and visual identity across all programs, campaigns, and public platforms.
• Serves as the primary liaison to media outlets and external communications partners, managing press strategy, media inquiries, and executive visibility.
• Through partnership with the President and CEO, assists with executive communication and outreach coordination for stakeholders, public officials, donors and the Board of Directors; ensures consistent executive messaging at Board meetings with visual materials that highlight activities
• and success.
• Directly supervises and supports the Communications Manager, setting priorities, approving messaging strategy, and ensuring alignment with organization goals.
• Reviews and approves all agency collateral, marketing materials, digital content, and external communications prior to release.
• Develops and implements integrated marketing and communications strategies that support fundraising, public funding, community engagement, and organizational visibility goals.
• Oversees multi-channel communication efforts, including print, digital, social media, email marketing, direct mail, and event promotion.
• Ensures consistent corporate identity and brand standards across campaigns, initiatives, partnerships, and community events.
• Monitors marketing performance metrics and campaign outcomes; adjusts strategy to optimize engagement, visibility, and revenue results.
• Collaborates cross-functionally with program, finance and executive leadership teams to align messaging with funding priorities, program impact, and strategic initiatives.
• Manages marketing and communications budgets, ensuring expenditures align with strategic objectives and approved financial parameters.
• Cultivates and maintains relationships with community partner, corporate sponsors, and key stakeholders to elevate CAP OC's public presence and philanthropic positioning.
• Prepares and presents marketing and communications updates to executive leadership and the Board of Directors.

Staff Development Activities:

• Leads direct team in the successful implementation of philanthropic programs
• In consultation with the President and CEO, recruits, interviews, and selects well-qualified Fund Development staff.
• Engages volunteers for special philanthropic projects using established volunteer management
• practices.

Job Qualifications
Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, with a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience leading a Development team.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential is a plus.

The Ideal Candidate Must Be:

• Creative/Innovative: Develop new and unique ways to improve the finances of the organization and to create new opportunities
• Ethically Focused: Understand ethical behavior and business practices and ensure own behavior and the behavior of others are consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization
• Relationship Driven: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization
• Effective Communicator: Speak, listen, and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques
• Focused on Donor Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of donors to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.
• Inclusive: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness
• Lead: Positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization
• Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency, and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization
• This role works indoors and occasionally outdoors for special events

The ideal candidate has knowledge and experience in:

• Presentation and knowledge of federal and provincial legislation affecting charities
• Effective Leadership skills
• Strong decision-making skills
• Philanthropic and donor software
• Creating effective reports and spreadsheets
• Keen business acumen
• Communication proficiency
• Customer/client focus
• Presentation skills
• Problem solving/analysi...