Chief Development Officer

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Job Title: Chief Development Officer Department: Development Location: Hybrid within the DC Metro area Reports to: President Direct Reports: Yes Classification: Exempt Position Type: Full-time Anticipated Pay Range at Commencement of Employment: $159,000 - $238,000 Blue Star Families Blue Star Families is the largest nonprofit dedicated to making military life better for families. Each year, we support over 1.5 million military- and veteran-connected family members through a national network of 300,000+ members and local chapters in communities across the country. Our mission is simple and bold: We make military life awesome for families. We listen, share, partner, and act to deliver evidence-based, data-driven solutions that work for real people. We're a lifestyle organization, a friend and neighbor, and a trusted partner. Our approach is collaborative, human-centered, and designed with the whole family in mind. A Blue Star Family is one with an immediate family member - a spouse, parent, or child - actively serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Guard and Reserves. These families face unique challenges, including frequent relocations, deployments, career disruptions, and isolation. We respond with research-informed programs that create connection, build resilience, and foster a true sense of belonging. We serve with urgency but build trust over time - because change happens at the speed of trust. Whether we're driving spouse employment, supporting caregivers, or helping communities welcome military families, we strive for upstream solutions. Who We're Looking For: Bold thinkers. Fast movers. Smart collaborators. People who want to build, lead, and drive measurable change - and who care deeply about making an impact that matters. What You'll Do Here: Solve complex challenges with data, heart, and humility Build cross-sector partnerships that get things done Help military families feel at home wherever they live If you're ready to work in a high-performance, mission-driven environment - and to make life better for those who serve - Blue Star Families is where you belong. As a fully remote organization, we rely on scheduled in-person gatherings to foster alignment, collaboration, and organizational culture. This role requires the ability to travel out of town overnight several times per year for staff offsites, planning retreats, and company-wide events. These gatherings are essential for connection, brainstorming, and staying strategically aligned across teams. Participation is required as a core part of the role. General Description Blue Star Families is seeking an experienced, strategic, and high-energy Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead all aspects of the organization's fundraising and revenue strategy. Reporting to the President and working closely with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Board of Directors, the CDO will build and execute a comprehensive development strategy that supports both near-term growth and long-term sustainability. As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CDO sets the enterprise-wide vision for philanthropy and revenue generation. This leader brings urgency, adaptability, and sharp market awareness - someone who can quickly read and respond to opportunities in an ever-changing environment while maintaining disciplined execution. The CDO will work in close partnership with the Impact department to ensure alignment between fundraising strategy, program outcomes, and measurable mission impact, strengthening the organization's ability to clearly articulate and deliver on its value proposition to donors and stakeholders. The ideal candidate is a bold, forward-thinking fundraiser who combines big-picture strategy with hands-on leadership. They are a natural collaborator, an engaging and charismatic relationship-builder, and a driven leader who thrives on challenge and measurable impact. The Chief Development Officer must be able to travel overnight several times per year to attend leadership retreats, staff off-sites, and organization-wide events. Participation in these gatherings is an essential function of the role. *The Chief Development Officer must reside in the National Capital Region. Key Job Functions Enterprise Revenue & Fundraising Strategy Provide executive oversight of all fundraising channels, including: individual giving (major gifts, mid-level, annual fund), corporate partnerships and sponsorships, foundation and institutional grants, planned giving and endowments, capital campaigns, and special events and peer-to-peer fundraising Architect and drive a diversified, multi-channel revenue strategy that reduces risk and expands sustainable funding streams. Bring energy and quickness to identifying, evaluating, and acting on emerging opportunities in philanthropy and partnerships. Serve as a strategic thought partner to the President and CEO on growth, innovation, and long-term sustainability. Establish ambitious

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