Chief Development Officer

Position Overview: The Chief Development Officer (CDO) provides leadership, strategic
direction, and management for all fundraising initiatives at Milwaukee Domes Alliance (MDA).
The CDO oversees all aspects of development, including individual giving, major gifts,
institutional funding (foundations and corporations), government grants, special events, and
capital campaign fundraising for the Domes Reimagined, the long-term capital and revitalization
plan for the Domes. Reporting to the CEO, the CDO will manage the internal systems and staff
needed to build a high-functioning development operation and develop a sustainable donor
pipeline.

RESPONSIBILITIES
The CDO will have the following primary responsibilities:
• Oversee the planning and implementation of all programs and activities designed to
advance annual, major, and planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, special
events, government grants, and campaign fundraising by helping to establish goals (key
performance indicators) for all team members, and by directing the strategic
implementation and assessment of fundraising and engagement strategies to achieve
those goals.
• Foster and deepen a culture of philanthropy throughout MDA, assuring that the
organization’s culture, systems, and procedures support fund development.
• Manage the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of a portfolio of 50-75 leadership
and major gift prospects through personal visits and other forms of communication.
• Work in close collaboration with the CEO to ensure successful delivery on fundraising
goals and objectives, driving strategy for annual and campaign giving, managing and
supporting the CEO’s relationship with the donors in their portfolio.
• Work with the Board of Directors, Campaign Cabinet, and other volunteer leaders to
ensure coordination and continued progress of all fundraising and constituent
engagement activities.
• Work with select volunteer leaders to ensure coordination and continued progress of all
fundraising and constituent engagement activities.
• Oversee a department of two professional staff members and 2-3 consultant teams who
have responsibility for major and planned giving, annual giving, corporate and foundation
relations, special events, and development operations. Develop annually the staffing,
capacity, and resources needed to meet the development objectives MDA sets forth.
• Promote dynamic collaboration amongst all teams across MDA, including strengthening
the alignment of goals and roles, fostering open communication, and deepening a
culture of accountability.
• Manage the development budget and ensure proper use of fundraising systems and
CRM tools.
• Represent MDA through media interviews and at events with the goal of increasing the
visibility of MDA’s development priorities and needs.