Chief Development Officer

Come join the Kansas Humane Society pack! We are looking for a Chief Development Officer that loves being an important part of an animal's life. 

***KHS is a qualified employer for the Public Loan Service Forgiveness program.***

We offer:

• Opportunity for two pay increases per year!
• Generous paid time off
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid time when closed for Inclement Weather
• Comprehensive low deductible health, pharmacy and dental plans
• Vision insurance plan
• SIMPLE IRA Retirement Plan with a generous company match
• Pre-tax spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses
• Discounted YMCA membership
• Discounts on adoptions, retail store items, basic veterinary services and medicine, and pet food
• Employee Assistance Program

POSITION PURPOSE

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is a senior executive leader responsible for strategically managing all fundraising, marketing, and community engagement efforts to advance the mission of The Kansas Humane Society. Serving on the executive leadership team, this role drives organizational growth by integrating development and marketing strategies to increase revenue, visibility, and community impact.

The CDO oversees multiple departments, including Development, Marketing & Communications, and Youth Education and leads a comprehensive, data-informed approach to philanthropy, brand awareness, and stakeholder engagement.

Impact of the Role

This position is critical to ensuring the organization’s financial sustainability and community presence. By aligning fundraising excellence with strategic marketing, the CDO strengthens donor relationships, expands revenue streams, and amplifies the organization’s mission to serve animals and the community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Serve as a member of the executive leadership team, contributing to organizational vision, strategy, and decision-making.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive, long-term development and marketing strategy aligned with organizational goals.
• Integrate fundraising and marketing initiatives into the overall strategic plan to ensure sustainable growth and mission impact.
• Represent the organization professionally within the community, building strong external partnerships and visibility.

Fundraising & Development

• Design, execute, and oversee a comprehensive fundraising program, including:
  • Major and planned gifts
  • Annual and monthly giving programs
  • Corporate sponsorships
  • Foundation and grant funding
  • Special events and campaigns
  • Direct mail and digital fundraising
• Lead capital campaigns and major gift initiatives, including personal cultivation and stewardship of high-value donors.
• Oversee donor relations strategy, ensuring meaningful engagement, recognition, and retention.
• Manage and optimize the fundraising database and reporting systems.
• Monitor and evaluate fundraising performance using key metrics and analytics.

Marketing & Communications

• Develop and implement integrated marketing and communications strategies to promote programs, services, and mission impact.
• Oversee branding, public relations, digital presence, and content strategy.
• Drive community engagement and awareness through campaigns, storytelling, and outreach initiatives.
• Align marketing efforts with fundraising goals to maximize donor acquisition and retention.

Team & Department Leadership

• Provide leadership and oversight for Development, Marketing & Communications, and Youth Education teams.
• Supervise key staff, which may include:
  • Donor Services Director
  • Community Engagement Director
  • Director of Marketing and Communications
  • Youth Education Director
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture with clear goals, accountability, and professional development.
• Conduct performance evaluations, coaching, and ongoing staff development.

Budget & Financial Management:

• Partner with executive leadership to develop annual revenue projections and departmental budgets.
• Monitor revenue and expenses against budget, ensuring financial accountability and goal attainment.
• Oversee financial tracking, reporting, and reconciliation processes related to fundraising activities.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Collaborate with staff, Board of Directors, donors, and community partners to achieve organizational goals.
• Support and engage board members in fundraising and ambassador roles.
• Ensure excellent donor stewardship through timely communication and responsiveness.
• Act as a trusted leader and resource across the organization.

KHS CORE VALUES
The Kansas Humane Society has HEART:

HAVE COMPASSION

• We have empathy and understanding for the community and pets we serve, our teammates and

our partners in animal welfare

EXEMPLIFY COMMITMENT

• We show our dedication in our work ethic and willingness to learn and grow.

ACT WITH INTEGRITY

• We prioritize integrity in all our actions.

RESPECT ALL

• We treat all animals and people with respect.

THRIVE THROUGH COLLABORATION

• We are better together, united in our service to pets and their people.

Education / Certification: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience is required.

Experience Preferred: Possess at least 3 years’ experience in development or related field and a proven record of accomplishment of success. Proven team management and leadership skills. Experience with Donor Database/CRM software preferred.

Required Knowledge:

• Proven success in scaling philanthropic revenue and building comprehensive fundraising programs.
• Demonstrated expertise in major gifts, donor relations, grant writing, and capital campaigns.
• Strong background in marketing, communications, and digital engagement strategies.
• Exceptional leadership, strategic planning, and team management skills.
• Experience managing multiple departments and cross-functional teams.
• Financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis.
• Ability to use data and analytics to drive decision-making and optimize outcomes.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.

Skills / Abilities:

Must be well organized, detail oriented, self-motivated, and disciplined. Must possess the ability to work with people of all socio-economic statuses / backgrounds and adjust one’s personal approach accordingly. Must be computer literate in a Windows environment and work well within a multiple team environments.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION

Talking: Ability to speak effectively and communicate clearly.

Average Hearing: Able to hear average conversations.

Repetitive Motion: The employee is regularly required to type, stand, sit, kneel, and squat.

Finger Dexterity: The employee is regularly required to use hands to type.

Average Vision: Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Physical Strength: The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Employees may also walk or sit for long periods of time.

MENTAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION

Reasoning Ability: Ability to make decisions independently, must have respect for the human / animal bond. Ability to deal with a variety of variables under only limited standardization.

Mathematics Ability: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions.

Language Ability: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret documents. Ability to communicate clearly.

INTENT AND FUNCTION OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS

• Job descriptions assist organizations in ensuring that the hiring process is fairly administered and that qualified employees are selected.  They are also essential to an effective appraisal system and related promotion, transfer, layoff, and termination decisions.  Well-constructed job descriptions are an integral part of any effective compensation system. 
• All descriptions have been reviewed to ensure that only essential functions and basic duties have been included.  Peripheral tasks, only incidentally related to each position, have been excluded.  Requirements, skills, and abilities included have been determined to be the minimal standards required to successfully perform the positions.  In no instance, however, should the duties, responsibilities, and requirements delineated be interpreted as all-inclusive.  Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. 
• In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals.  However, no accommodations will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose undue hardships on the organization.
• Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts.  The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer.  Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.

Salary : $75,000 - $130,000