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Chief Development Officer Jobs in Atlanta, GA (NOW HIRING)

The Leader We're Looking For At a time of exciting growth, we are hiring for a Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead fundraising strategies that will greatly enhance our capacity to innovate and ...

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Chief Development Officer information

See Atlanta, GA salary details

$53.4K

$130.3K

$203.9K

How much do chief development officer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief development officer in Atlanta, GA is $130,268.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,700.00 and $153,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 does a chief development officer make?

A Chief Development Officer (CDO) typically earns a salary ranging from $100,000 to over $250,000 annually, depending on the organization size and industry. Compensation often includes bonuses, incentives, and benefits, reflecting the executive level and responsibility for fundraising, strategic growth, and development initiatives.

What are the most commonly searched types of Chief Development Officer jobs in Atlanta, GA?

The most popular types of Chief Development Officer jobs in Atlanta, GA are:

What cities near Atlanta, GA are hiring for Chief Development Officer jobs?

Cities near Atlanta, GA with the most Chief Development Officer job openings:

Infographic showing various Chief Development Officer job openings in Atlanta, GA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,264 per year, or $62.6 per hour.

Chief Development Officer (Atlanta)

Atlanta, GA • On-site

Corps Team
Recruiting and Staffing Services • 51 - 200 employees

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago


Job description

## Chief Development OfficerAtlanta,GA30309Posted: 06/29/2026Employment Type:Direct HireIndustry: Non-ProfitJob Number: 17981Field of Expertise: OtherRemote Friendly: No## Job DescriptionOur client, an award-winning theater, seeks a high-performing, collaborative, and enthusiastic Chief Development Officer who will be an active participant on the senior staff of the organization. The Chief Development Officer is responsible for all areas of fundraising, working closely with the Managing Director, Artistic Directors, Board of Directors, and staff across the theater to plan, solicit, and steward donations of all sizes, including major and principal gifts. With the end goal of not only growing philanthropic commitments across all giving categories-- broad-based, major gifts, board giving, foundation & government grants, and corporate funding—the successful candidate will also be willing to constantly gather information from all areas of the theatre in service of designing messaging and giving opportunities spanning the full breadth of the mission, productions, and programs. The Chief Development Officer will possess team management experience, fundraising thought leadership, and a successful track record of leading annual fund programs. This individual will have experience collaborating across multiple departments in high-performing organizations and will be willing to act as an ambassador for the Theatre to internal stakeholders, as well as external donors, funders, and community leaders. The Chief Development Officer will thoughtfully and confidently lead a highly skilled, eight-member development team. \*Candidates outside of Atlanta may be considered and some relocation support may be offered. Principal Duties: Serve on Senior Staff of the Theatre* Actively participate in growing and maintaining internal and external cultures of belonging* Serve as an ambassador for the Theatre to internal stakeholders, as well as external donors, funders, and community leaders* Actively participate in cross-campus Development thought leadership and planning for cross-campus fundraising activities, including coordinated annual corporate campaign* Constantly and consistently evaluate trends in giving across all Theatre campaign verticals* Actively participate in conferences and on-going industry trend analysis with fellow development directors across the country Lead Fundraising & Stewardship Activities* Working closely with Development Staff, ensure constant progress to meet or exceed all fundraising campaign goals* Collaborating with the Central Services Corporate Philanthropy team, identify, cultivate, solicit, and ensure proper stewardship for all Theatre corporate funders* Working with Development Staff, ensure all Opening Night and final preview pre-show donor events, and other donor events throughout the season are refined, inspirational, and mission-focused* Serve as primary point person for all activities related to planned giving including overseeing new strategies and execution for soliciting and stewarding planned gifts* Working with General Counsel, write and execute formal gift agreements for capital, endowment, and planned gifts* Perform annual evaluation and refinement of donor benefits offerings and administration* In collaboration with Artistic Staff and Managing Director, provide fundraising planning expertise and leadership for any capital, endowment, or special project campaigns which may arise* Working with Development and Marketing Staff, create, refine, and maintain promotional materials for all Alliance Theatre funding opportunities—annual, long-term, capital, endowment, and planned gifts* Working with Marketing department, help lead strategy for growing Membership and Subscriber patron base and pipeline to donor programs* Oversee development operations, including improvement of moves management processes in CRM, consistent practices of prospect research, and accurate and efficient gift entry and tax acknowledgements* Maintain weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly 1:1 check-ins with four direct reports* Perform annual, or more frequent, performance reviews for direct reports* Oversee strategy, concept, and planning of annual Gala, collaborating with project leads in development department, cross-department stakeholders at the theatre, and events management to execute a memorable, creative, and high-profile fundraising event. Serve as Primary Staff Liaison with the Alliance Theatre Board of Directors* Act as lead planner and solicitor for all board of directors’ annual giving through dedicated Philanthropic Planning Meetings (“PPMs”)* Working closely with Managing Director, ensure proper planning and execution of all Board Governance & Nominating Committee activities and meetings* Working closely with Managing Director and Board Governance & Nominating Committee Chair, provide thought leadership on Board composition and serve as primary staff lead for new Board member recruitment and related on-boarding activities* Working with Managing Director and Management Assistant, ensure all board meetings and events are professionally and elegantly planned and executed* Maintain active schedule of communications and stewardship with all board members throughout the year Oversee Development Budget* Working with Chief Financial Officer and Development Staff, track and reconcile all revenue lines and expenses related to development activities* Working with Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer, develop and maintain fundraising goals and expense budgets QUALIFICATIONS:* At least 5 years’ experience building, leading, and maintaining a successful, multi-member fundraising team* Passion for the arts and their impact in the community* Commitment to the Theatre’s Mission, Vision, Values, and staff culture* Demonstrated success identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding philanthropic gifts of 5- and 6- figures on an annual basis* Demonstrated success growing an annual fund across all campaign verticals (annual, foundation, major gift, board giving)* Demonstrated track record of evaluating and refining development activities across all campaign verticals* Comfortable communicating with high-level executives, donors, board members, and community leaders* Willingness to problem-solve in a collaborative leadership environment* Knowledge of Atlanta’s funding community is a plus, especially with an emphasis on arts and education PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:* The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Necessary accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.* Frequent use of hands and light lifting (at least 25 pounds) is needed.* The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.* Willingness to work some weekends, late evenings and early mornings. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Ability to work a flexible schedule (available evenings and weekends for performances and special events) to accommodate fluctuations in work flow. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be fluent in English, both written and spoken. Salary: $170,000- $180,000 depending on education, experience, and overall qualifications.
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