[Hiring] Chief Development Officer @Sharing Excess

Role Description

The Chief Development Officer will lead the charge on how we fund a national movement to close the meal gap in America. You will help build a multi-year development strategy, manage a portfolio of major donors, and work side by side with leadership to secure $10M+/annually that fuels our operations across the country. This role is central to our rapidly scaling model.

The Chief Development Officer will guide the full development strategy for Sharing Excess and play a key role in fundraising for growth over this next chapter. This position oversees all major donor relationships, national partnerships, institutional giving, and long-range planning, including earned revenue. The CDO will bring a strategic mindset, strong relationship instincts and networking skills, listening ability, organization, and a history of securing transformational gifts. You will collaborate closely with the CEO and senior leadership team to shape goals, create clear plans, and execute resources to bring in the funding necessary to distribute millions of pounds of food every week. This is a senior role for someone who thrives in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment and wants to help build a national model that closes the meal gap in America.

Responsibilities Include

• Lead the design and execution of a multi-year national development strategy that raises over $35M.
• Cultivate, steward and expand a portfolio of major donors, family foundations and institutional partners with a focus on securing multi-year commitments.
• Develop, launch and oversee fundraising campaigns and initiatives that elevate our brand and expand our reach across the country.
• Serve as a senior ambassador for Sharing Excess: representing our organization in donor meetings, public forums and partner engagements.
• Build and manage effective donor-relationship systems, including CRM oversight, segmentation, reporting and tracking to support a national donor base.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and cross-functional teams (Finance, Marketing, Operations, Program) to align fundraising goals with organizational priorities and operational realities.
• Ensure timely, clear and compelling donor communications and impact reporting that demonstrate how contributions translate into measurable food-distribution and community outcomes.
• Lead, mentor and grow the Development team: set performance goals, foster a culture of accountability and excellence, and ensure professional growth.
• Support long-range planning by partnering with the CEO and leadership team to forecast funding needs, assess new growth opportunities and ensure fiscal sustainability.
• Track and analyze key development metrics, adjust strategy based on data insights, and report progress to leadership and the board.

Qualifications

• At least seven years of fundraising experience with demonstrated success securing major six- and seven-figure gifts.
• A history of building and scaling fundraising programs within fast-growing organizations.
• Strong knowledge of donor management systems, including CRM structure, segmentation, automation and reporting.
• The ability to define, track and interpret key development metrics to guide strategy.
• Experience collaborating across departments to connect fundraising with finance, marketing and operations.
• High emotional intelligence and the ability to build genuine, trusting relationships with people.

Requirements

• Experience working in a startup environment or a brand that is recognized in culture.
• Strong communication instincts, especially around translating impact into clear stories for donors.
• Familiarity with marketing or brand-building teams and how development work connects to those efforts.
• Comfort navigating fast-paced environments where priorities shift and growth moves quickly.

Benefits

• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO).
• Fully Covered Health Benefits including comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance with premiums 100% covered by the company.
• 401(k) with Company Match (pending eligibility requirements met).
• Paid Family Leave.
• Flexible Work-From-Home Schedule.
• Employee Stipends.
• Wellness Stipend for health and fitness expenses.
• Technology Coverage, including cell phone and internet reimbursement.
• Professional Development Support.
• Onsite Team Retreats & Gatherings.
• Cool Merch.