Chief Development Officer

Rare, the leading behavior change organization in the conservation space, seeks an experienced and aspirational chief development officer (CDO) to join the organization at an exciting moment of transformation. For over 45 years and across 60 countries, Rare has inspired and empowered millions of people and their communities to shift their behaviors and practices to protect our shared planet. Rare’s unique approach facilitates solutions that help individuals, their communities, and their local leaders tackle global environmental challenges, manage their resources, and take charge of their futures. Rare’s belief in the cumulative power of individual and community action has resulted in transformative change and is a proven pathway to safeguarding and restoring the world’s shared waters, lands, and climate. 

As Rare embarks on a new strategic plan, and with the threat of climate change looming over every facet of the human and natural world, the organization’s approach to facilitating a coordinated global shift in human behavior is more relevant than ever. Looking ahead, Rare aspires to build on its proven success while continuing to build a scalable suite of solutions to restore coastal fisheries and habitats, regenerate the soil and ecosystems on which agriculture depends, and enable the average citizen to play a meaningful role in reducing the threat of climate change. Critical to achieving such results is a robust development enterprise that inspires the next generation of donors to support Rare’s simple yet profound mission: to inspire change so people and nature thrive. 

A vital leadership role within Rare, the CDO is presented with a unique opportunity to evolve and lead a strategic, creative, and entrepreneurial development program. Reporting to the president early in his tenure, and working in close partnership with the CEO, the CDO will set organizational fundraising goals and objectives which build upon the strengths of the current development program to meet and exceed Rare’s needs, now and into the future. Importantly, this individual will play a key role in galvanizing a new generation of funders while maintaining deep and meaningful ties with the organization’s long-standing and most generous benefactors. 

The CDO will oversee a team of 27 – four of whom are direct reports – across all areas of fundraising and engagement including major, principal, annual, and institutional giving; donor engagement and stewardship; marketing and communications; development operations; and board relations. By aspiring to new levels of excellence and possibility, the CDO will strategically enhance the development function into a philanthropic enterprise of unsurpassed effectiveness through the implementation of creative fundraising tactics; innovative engagement strategies; robust donor pipeline development, including the diversification of funding sources and an emphasis on growing individual giving; clear and achievable goals; and data-informed decision making. The CDO will also demonstrate success in personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major and principal gifts from individuals and foundations, as well as the ability to guide and support senior leaders in their own fundraising efforts, serving as an advisor and co-strategist for soliciting transformational gifts. 

The successful candidate will have a proven track record of elevating a comprehensive fundraising and engagement operation that sets a high bar for philanthropic revenue; the ability to work effectively in a complex structure; and the enthusiasm, drive, and professionalism to achieve organizational goals. As a leader and manager, the CDO will promote a culture of excellence, collaboration, and professional growth and set clear direction, priorities, and measurable goals for the development team. The CDO will also provide the highest level of support to Rare’s Board of Trustees and its Development Committee, with an emphasis on further cultivating and stewarding the philanthropic generosity of the Board and assisting the CEO in the identification and recruitment of new Board members, as appropriate. With superior written and oral communication skills, the CDO will demonstrate the ability to champion the impact, strategic priorities, and vision of Rare, adopting the organization’s message and voice, and translating it to diverse audiences. To this end, the CDO must also demonstrate an ability to fully immerse themselves in the life of the organization to effectively serve as a chief spokesperson to prospective and existing donors. Importantly, the CDO will bring an unresolved passion for Rare’s mission and vision, with a strong understanding of and appreciation for the organization’s history, impact, achievements, and vision. 

Jack Gorman is leading this search with Nicole Poe, Christina Garrison, and Sandeep Kaur. 

Rare is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Rare prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic.