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Chief Development Officer Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

MSPCA-Angell

Development Officer, Major Gifts

Boston, MA · On-site

$105K - $125K/yr

Working closely with the Chief Development Officer, Senior Director of Individual and Institutional Giving, and the broader Development team, the Development Officer will develop and implement ...

Crescent Biopharma

Executive Assistant - R&D

Waltham, MA · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

... Officer, Chief Scientific Officer, EVP, Chief of Strategy & Operations and their respective ... Support operational workflows related to clinical development, medical affairs, regulatory ...

Crescent Biopharma

Executive Assistant - R&D

Waltham, MA · On-site

$110 - $130/hr

... Officer, Chief Scientific Officer, EVP, Chief of Strategy & Operations and their respective ... Support operational workflows related to clinical development, medical affairs, regulatory ...

Crescent Biopharma

Executive Assistant - R&D

Waltham, MA · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

... Officer, Chief Scientific Officer, EVP, Chief of Strategy & Operations and their respective ... Support operational workflows related to clinical development, medical affairs, regulatory ...

Crescent Biopharma

Executive Assistant - R&D

Waltham, MA · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

... Officer, Chief Scientific Officer, EVP, Chief of Strategy & Operations and their respective ... Support operational workflows related to clinical development, medical affairs, regulatory ...

Now CFO

CFO Consultant

Boston, MA

About NOW CFO NOW CFO is a leading provider of financial consulting services, dedicated to helping ... Lead and mentor finance and accounting teams to ensure performance and development Qualifications

Now CFO

CFO Consultant

Boston, MA · On-site

About NOW CFO NOW CFO is a leading provider of financial consulting services, dedicated to helping ... Lead and mentor finance and accounting teams to ensure performance and development Qualifications

Now CFO

CFO Consultant

Boston, MA

About NOW CFO NOW CFO is a leading provider of financial consulting services, dedicated to helping ... Lead and mentor finance and accounting teams to ensure performance and development Qualifications

WGBH

Senior Major Gifts Officer

Boston, MA

Collaborate with the executive producers, Chief Development Officer, CEO, and other development and program staff on designing and implementing fundraising strategy for associated content areas.

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsChief Development Officer JobsChief Development Officer Jobs in Boston, MA

Chief Development Officer information

See Boston, MA salary details

$60.3K

$147.2K

$230.3K

How much do chief development officer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief development officer in Boston, MA is $147,159.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $108,100.00 and $173,800.00 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.
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What cities near Boston, MA are hiring for Chief Development Officer jobs?

Cities near Boston, MA with the most Chief Development Officer job openings:

Chief Development Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chief Development Officer job openings in Boston, MA 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 $147,159 per year, or $70.7 per hour.

Development Officer, Major Gifts

MSPCA-Angell

Boston, MA • On-site

$105K - $125K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

The Position:
The Development Officer, Major Gifts is responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of donors and prospects capable of making significant philanthropic investments in the MSPCA-Angell mission. This role requires a strong understanding of major gifts fundraising, exceptional relationship-building skills, professionalism, initiative, and a genuine commitment to advancing animal welfare.
Working closely with the Chief Development Officer, Senior Director of Individual and Institutional Giving, and the broader Development team, the Development Officer will develop and implement individualized fundraising strategies that strengthen donor engagement, inspire transformational giving, and support both annual and campaign fundraising priorities. Success in this role requires close collaboration with colleagues across the organization, including veterinary staff, animal protection teams, senior leadership, and volunteer leadership.
Some of the responsibilities include:
  • Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors with the capacity to make significant philanthropic investments, including planned gifts.
  • Guide donors through all stages of the major gift cycle, from identification and cultivation through solicitation, stewardship, and long-term engagement.
  • Partner with Development leadership to create and implement individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies that increase donor commitment and retention.
  • Advance the MSPCA-Angell's comprehensive and capital campaign priorities by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding campaign donors and prospects.
  • Develop strategies to secure leadership and major gifts in support of campaign initiatives, including naming opportunities and other strategic funding priorities.
  • Conduct face-to-face meetings with donors and prospective supporters.
  • Build and maintain strong working relationships with development colleagues, veterinarians, animal protection staff, senior leadership, volunteer leadership, and donors.
  • Coordinate meetings between donors and organizational leadership, veterinarians, and other key stakeholders.
  • Maintain accurate donor records and a high level of data integrity within the fundraising database.
  • Partner with the Development team to identify and qualify new major gift prospects.
  • Represent the organization at special events and other donor engagement opportunities.

Who we are:
The Boston MSPCA-Angell is one of the oldest and most respected animal welfare organizations in the world. Every day, our teams work together to improve the lives of animals through veterinary medicine, animal protection, advocacy, and community outreach. Joining MSPCA-Angell means becoming part of a mission-driven organization where your work has a direct and lasting impact.
Applicant Requirements:
We are seeking candidates with:
  • At least five years of successful major gift fundraising experience with a demonstrated record of cultivating, soliciting, and closing significant gifts.
  • Experience building and sustaining long-term relationships with leadership and major gift donors.
  • Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple donor relationships and priorities simultaneously.
  • Experience using donor databases or CRM systems to maintain accurate records and support fundraising strategy.

Because written communication is essential to this role, applicants are required to submit a cover letter as part of their application.
Compensation:
Salary: $105k-125k
Please note that candidates with additional experience or credentials may be eligible for compensation aligned with their qualifications.
Our Benefits:
Our compensation package includes health, dental, and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, paid holidays, vacation and sick time, employee discounts for pet health care, and free on-site parking.
If you are interested in working for an organization where your work is an important part of a respected and caring nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of animals, we encourage you to apply.
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.

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