Chief Development Officer (Filoli)

Company: National Trust for Historic Preservation
Location: Lake Forest
Posted on: May 24, 2025

Job Description:

Work at the National Trust for Historic PreservationDepartment: Historic SitesLocation: Woodside, CAPosition SummaryThe Chief Development Officer (CDO) will be responsible for planning, implementing, overseeing, and assessing Filoli's comprehensive development strategies to support the organization's mission, vision, and long-term sustainability. The CDO will report to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and will serve as a key member of the Executive Team. The CDO will represent Filoli's philanthropic goals to all constituencies, foster a culture of philanthropy, and advance ambitious fundraising objectives, including the $75M comprehensive six-year campaign (2024-2030), Cultivating Filoli's Future, that seeks to raise $50M to support Preserving Heritage and Enhancing Guest Experiences projects and $25M in support of Sustainable Practices and Ecosystem Management.Role and Responsibilities

• Strategic Fundraising Leadership
  • Lead and oversee all aspects of Cultivating Filoli's Future campaign, including planning, strategy, prioritization, leadership recruitment, prospect management, performance targets, budgeting, policy oversight, and donor recognition.
  • Spearhead a comprehensive, goal-driven, short and long-term development plan that supports sustainable growth and financial health, implementing Filoli's fundraising strategy in partnership with the CEO, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Team.
  • Establish policies, develop creative solutions, and contribute to unified decision-making as a member of the Executive Team.
  • Represent Filoli to external audiences, including individuals, organizations, and the broader philanthropic community.
  • Embrace other strategic leadership responsibilities as needed.
  • Board Engagement
    • Collaborate with the Board of Directors, Campaign Counsel, and the CEO to establish a Campaign Committee.
    • Devise strategies with the Campaign Committee to engage the Board of Directors and volunteer fundraisers in all phases of fundraising.
    • Build strong relationships with the Board of Directors, the Campaign Committee, and the Development Committee.
    • Partner with the CEO and Nominating Committee to identify, cultivate, and recruit prospective board members.
    • Embrace other board engagement responsibilities as needed.
    • Development and Campaign Management
      • Lead and manage Filoli's growing development function.
      • Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a personal portfolio of current major donors.
      • Ensure the strategic use of the database and other development communication tools.
      • Collaborate with professional campaign counsel.
      • Establish performance metrics and provide regular reports to the CEO and Board of Directors.
      • Manage the Ambassadors program.
      • Maintain a strategic knowledge of best practices and trends in philanthropy.
      • Embrace other development and campaign management responsibilities as needed.
      • Management and Cross-Departmental Collaboration
        • Lead the daily operations of the Development team.
        • Recruit, diversify, train, mentor, and evaluate a 10-person Development team.
        • Set performance standards and provide timely feedback.
        • Collaborate with the Leadership Team.
        • Partner with Finance and Accounting.
        • Work closely with Marketing.
        • Coordinate with various teams to maintain a fundraising grid.
        • Embrace other management and cross-departmental collaboration responsibilities as needed.Traits and CharacteristicsThe Chief Development Officer will be an experienced and charismatic leader with a passion for Filoli's mission and a deep appreciation of its beautiful setting. They will possess highly developed organizational skills and be well versed in development best practices. Other key competencies include:
          • Customer Focus & Diplomacy
          • Interpersonal Skills & Appreciating Others
          • Teamwork
          • Flexibility & Personal AccountabilityQualificationsA minimum of seven years of progressive fundraising experience with a proven track record of closing major gifts, campaign oversight, and communication responsibilities is essential. Direct experience managing a professional team of fundraisers is required. A working knowledge of databases, with experience in Blackbaud Altru or similar systems, is required. Educational credentials supporting leadership acumen, organizational growth, arts and culture experiences, and community engagement are highly desired.Compensation and BenefitsFiloli provides a competitive and equitable compensation package. The range for the annual salary is estimated between $223,000 and $259,000. Employee benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, personal days, holidays, health, long-term disability, life insurance, and a voluntary 401(k) retirement plan.Applications and InquiriesTo submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments, please visit . For questions or general inquiries about this job opportunity, please contact:Filoli is an equal opportunity employer.
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Keywords: National Trust for Historic Preservation, Bell Gardens , Chief Development Officer (Filoli), Executive , Lake Forest, California