ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Chief Development Officer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

WesleyLife

Chief Operating Officer

Johnston, IA · On-site

Growth, Innovation, and Business Development * Partner with the President & CEO and Executive Circle to identify and advance new markets, services, partnerships, and growth opportunities. * Lead ...

WesleyLife

Chief Operating Officer

Johnston, IA

Growth, Innovation, and Business Development * Partner with the President & CEO and Executive Circle to identify and advance new markets, services, partnerships, and growth opportunities. * Lead ...

Select Medical

Chief Operating Officer

Davenport, IA

Creates and manages a culture focused on business development and customer service. * Communicates routinely with the CEO concerning policy recommendations and suggested courses of action pertinent ...

WesleyLife

Chief Operating Officer

Johnston, IA · On-site

Growth, Innovation, and Business Development * Partner with the President & CEO and Executive Circle to identify and advance new markets, services, partnerships, and growth opportunities. * Lead ...

Edgewater

Chief Operating Officer

Johnston, IA

Growth, Innovation, and Business Development * Partner with the President & CEO and Executive Circle to identify and advance new markets, services, partnerships, and growth opportunities. * Lead ...

IMEG

Chief Financial Officer

Des Moines, IA

Reporting to the CEO and a key partner to the executive team, this leader will guide financial ... Lead the development and execution of the organization's financial strategy, ensuring alignment ...

IMEG

Chief Financial Officer

Bettendorf, IA

Reporting to the CEO and a key partner to the executive team, this leader will guide financial ... Lead the development and execution of the organization's financial strategy, ensuring alignment ...

Esco Group

Chief Operating Officer

Marion, IA

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Location: Based in Marion, Iowa Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) ... Team Development & Succession Planning * Provide mentorship and development opportunities for ...

ESCO Group

Chief Operating Officer

Marion, IA · On-site

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Location: Based in Marion, Iowa Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) ... Team Development & Succession Planning * Provide mentorship and development opportunities for ...

Esco Group

Chief Operating Officer

Marion, IA · On-site

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Location: Based in Marion, Iowa Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) ... Team Development & Succession Planning * Provide mentorship and development opportunities for ...

Eobrands

Chief Financial Officer

Fairfield, IA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

Lead the development of financial forecasts, KPI dashboards, and management reporting that provide ... CFO, or equivalent).* Demonstrated experience leading multi-functional finance teams including ...

Ascension Recovery Services

CEO

Cedar Falls, IA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Drive census growth strategy, referral development, and payer mix optimization * Monitor key ... role (CEO, Executive Director, VP, or equivalent) * Experience managing multi-level care ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsChief Development Officer JobsChief Development Officer Jobs in Iowa

Chief Development Officer information

See Iowa salary details

$52.1K

$127.2K

$199.1K

How much do chief development officer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief development officer in Iowa is $127,236.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,500.00 and $150,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is being a BDM a stressful job?

A Business Development Manager (BDM) role can be stressful due to targets, client negotiations, and workload management. The level of stress varies based on industry, company culture, and individual skills in sales and relationship building.

What does a Chief Development Officer do?

A Chief Development Officer (CDO) is responsible for overseeing an organization’s development and growth strategies, including fundraising, strategic partnerships, and program expansion. They often lead teams, develop long-term plans, and utilize tools like CRM systems to manage donor relationships and development initiatives.

What jobs make $1,000,000 a year?

Chief Development Officers in large corporations or successful entrepreneurs in industries like finance, technology, or real estate can earn $1,000,000 or more annually through salaries, bonuses, and equity. High-level executive roles often require extensive experience, advanced degrees, and strong leadership skills, with compensation heavily influenced by company performance and stock options.

What are some typical challenges faced by Chief Development Officers when leading fundraising initiatives?

Chief Development Officers (CDOs) often encounter challenges such as balancing short-term fundraising goals with long-term strategic growth, engaging diverse donor bases, and ensuring coordination between development, marketing, and program teams. They must also adapt to evolving donor expectations and leverage data-driven strategies to maximize fundraising efforts. Collaborative leadership, strong communication, and adaptability are vital for overcoming these hurdles and driving sustained organizational growth.

What Is a Chief Development Officer?

A chief development officer (CDO) is an executive-level employee at a business or non-profit. As a CDO, your job duties include overseeing the financial stability, fundraising, or growth of the organization. You maintain close communication with internal executive officers, such as the CEO and CFO, advising them on strategies to improve donor relations or increase revenue while providing input for yearly budgets and other financial issues. Qualifications for this career include experience working in a senior business development position, such as a Director of In-House Consulting or Corporate Strategy. You should also have experience in improving business revenue and productivity. To succeed in this role, you must have a strong desire to do research, analyze data, and be able to work well alone and with others. A CDO typically has a bachelor’s degree and an MBA as well as strong leadership and communication skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Chief Development Officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chief Development Officer, you need expertise in fundraising strategies, donor relations, and nonprofit management, often supported by a degree in business, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with donor management systems (like Salesforce or Raiser’s Edge), analytics tools, and relevant certifications such as CFRE are typically essential. Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and persuasive communication set top performers apart in this role. These skills are crucial for securing resources, building strong partnerships, and advancing the organization’s mission.

What is the difference between Chief Development Officer vs Chief Fundraising Officer?

AspectChief Development OfficerChief Fundraising Officer
Primary FocusOverall organizational growth, including development strategies, partnerships, and program expansionFundraising activities, donor relations, and revenue generation
Required CredentialsTypically advanced degrees in business, nonprofit management, or related fields; experience in development rolesSimilar credentials, often with emphasis on fundraising certifications or experience in donor engagement
Work EnvironmentExecutive leadership in nonprofit or corporate settings, overseeing development teamsFundraising departments, donor relations teams, often within nonprofit organizations
Industry UsageCommonly used in nonprofits, educational institutions, and large corporationsPrimarily used in nonprofit organizations and charitable foundations

The Chief Development Officer focuses on broad organizational growth and development strategies, while the Chief Fundraising Officer specializes in fundraising efforts and donor relations. Both roles require similar credentials and often work closely, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

What jobs pay $500,000 a year in the US?

Chief Development Officers and other executive-level roles such as CEOs, CFOs, and surgeons can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of salary, bonuses, and stock options. These positions typically require extensive experience, advanced degrees, and leadership skills, and are common in large corporations, finance, healthcare, and technology sectors.
More about Chief Development Officer jobs
What are popular job titles related to Chief Development Officer jobs in Iowa? For Chief Development Officer jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Chief Development Officer jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Chief Development Officer jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Chief Development Officer jobs in IA? For Chief Development Officer jobs in IA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Chief Development Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chief Development Officer job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,236 per year, or $61.2 per hour.
Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer

WesleyLife

Johnston, IA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago

WesleyLife rating

4.3

Company rating: 4.3 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

We have exclusively retained Govig & Associates to conduct the search for our Chief Operating Officer.
If your experience aligns with this opportunity and you are interested in learning more, please email your resume in confidence to:
Alison Drumm
Govig & Associates
alison.drumm@govig.com
Position Summary
The Chief Operating Officer serves as a key enterprise executive responsible for translating WesleyLife's mission, vision, and strategic priorities into exceptional operational performance across the organization. Reporting to the President & CEO, the COO provides executive leadership for WesleyLife's Communities for Healthy Living, home and community-based services, and enterprise operational standards. This leader is accountable for advancing quality, growth, financial sustainability, regulatory excellence, customer and resident experience, team culture, and operational consistency across WesleyLife's full continuum of services. The COO partners closely with the President & CEO, Executive Circle, Board of Directors, and operational leaders to strengthen performance, scale best practices, develop future-focused services, and ensure WesleyLife continues to lead with purpose, compassion, innovation, and measurable impact.
Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities
Enterprise Operational Leadership
  • Provide strategic and operational leadership across WesleyLife's Communities for Healthy Living and home- and community-based services.
  • Translate organizational strategy into clear operational priorities, goals, accountabilities, and execution plans.
  • Lead operational performance across independent living, assisted living, memory support, long-term care, transitional care, home health, hospice, personal services, community nutrition, transportation, and public health services.
  • Ensure consistent implementation of WesleyLife standards, service expectations, regulatory requirements, and operating practices across all locations and service lines.
  • Strengthen accountability systems that support quality outcomes, operational discipline, financial performance, and growth.
  • Monitor key performance indicators and lead timely interventions to address performance gaps or emerging risks.

Growth, Innovation, and Business Development
  • Partner with the President & CEO and Executive Circle to identify and advance new markets, services, partnerships, and growth opportunities.
  • Lead operational planning for new programs, service lines, communities, and strategic initiatives.
  • Support the development of innovative offerings that meet the evolving needs and preferences of current and future customers.
  • Advance WesleyLife's ability to serve older adults across a broader continuum of settings, including home, community, and residential environments.
  • Build and strengthen relationships with hospitals, physicians, payers, community partners, and other stakeholders to support growth, access, census, care transitions, and revenue opportunities.
  • Key partner in developing organizational growth and maximization plans, including products, services and geographic markets.

Customer, Resident, and Team Experience
  • Lead the continued development of a consistent, differentiated WesleyLife experience across all services and locations.
  • Champion hospitality, service excellence, person-centered practices, and meaningful engagement for residents, clients, families, and team members.
  • Partner with leaders across service lines to create integrated pathways that help customers move seamlessly within and between WesleyLife services.
  • Build a culture of trust, accountability, collaboration, innovation, and results.
  • Coach and develop leaders to strengthen team engagement, performance, communication, organizational alignment, and thoughtful succession strategy.

Quality, Compliance, and Risk Management
  • Ensure operations meet or exceed applicable local, state, and federal regulatory requirements.
  • Provide executive oversight for quality, compliance, safety, clinical, and operational standards across WesleyLife services.
  • Lead continuous improvement efforts using data, performance indicators, and best-practice operating models.
  • Identify operational risks and ensure timely action plans are developed, implemented, and monitored.
  • Promote a culture of regulatory readiness, ethical decision-making, transparency, and excellence.

Financial and Performance Accountability
  • Provide executive leadership to achieve annual operating, census, revenue, margin, expense, and growth targets.
  • Partner with finance and operational leaders to develop and monitor budgets, forecasts, business plans, and performance improvement strategies.
  • Ensure effective operational work plans and strategies are in place for each location and service line.
  • Align people, technology, marketing, clinical, financial, and operational resources to support enterprise priorities.
  • Lead large-scale projects and initiatives, including planning, implementation, performance tracking, and accountability for outcomes.
  • Effectively translate strategy to execution in the business.

Governance, External Leadership, and Representation
  • Participate in Board of Directors meetings and committee discussions as requested, providing strategic operational insight and updates.
  • Represent WesleyLife with external partners, professional associations, community organizations, and public groups, as may be warranted.
  • Stay informed about trends, policy changes, workforce dynamics, consumer expectations, and innovations affecting senior living, health care, and home and community-based services.
  • Promote WesleyLife's mission, reputation, and impact through active community and industry engagement.

Education & Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in healthcare administration, business administration, or a related field required.
  • Ten or more years of progressive senior leadership experience in health care, senior living, aging services, home and community-based services, or a similarly complex service organization preferred
  • Demonstrated experience leading multi-site or multi-service operations.
  • Proven success leading leaders, building accountability systems, improving performance, and executing enterprise strategy
  • Strong financial acumen, including experience with budgets, operating performance, growth planning, revenue management, and expense control
  • Demonstrated ability to develop partnerships, support business growth, and lead complex organizational change
  • Exceptional communication, presentation, facilitation, and relationship-building skills
  • Ability to work effectively with a Board of Directors, executive leaders, operational teams, residents, clients, families, donors, partners, and community stakeholders
  • Strong commitment to mission, ethics, service, and the well-being of older adults
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office (365) tools and comfort using data, dashboards, and technology to support decision-making
  • Ability to reside in or relocate to the greater Des Moines, Iowa area
  • Current and valid driver's license required
  • Experience overseeing regulated health care or senior living environments strongly preferred
  • Nursing Home Administrator licensure in Iowa, or ability to obtain licensure or reciprocity, preferred

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.

What WesleyLife employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply