Chief Development Officer

PLEASE NOTE: To receive full consideration for this position, please submit the requested information through Armstrong McGuire's portal at https://jobs.armstrongmcguire.com/. Due to integration issues, applications submitted through 3rd party sites such as Indeed and LinkedIn may not be received.

The Opportunity

United Way is seeking a Chief Development Officer (CDO) – a proven leader who combines strategic vision, creativity, and a strong equity-centered approach to fundraising.  This is a remarkable opportunity to drive community impact and live the mission to end poverty and improve economic mobility. The CDO will have a strong track record in major gifts work, with the ability to craft and execute bold, community-aligned fundraising strategies. This leader will not only raise funds but advance our mission with authenticity, innovation, and a deep respect for the communities we serve. Key attributes include:

• Deep donor engagement balanced with commitment to community priorities
• A thought partner who brings fresh ideas and challenges norms
• Comfort with calculated risks and experimentation
• A collaborative, mentoring leadership style that builds a high-performing, curious, and adaptable team
• Ability to turn complex community issues into compelling, values-driven narratives

Reporting to the President & CEO and working as a member of an Executive Leadership Team of powerful, passionate innovators, the CDO will manage philanthropic initiatives, including major gifts, corporate and government relations. The CDO will lead a team of three or more professionals dedicated to major gifts, growing the organization’s donor base, and workplace campaigns. While the CDO’s main priority will be securing major gifts, they will also provide strategic oversight to the team managing workplace campaign efforts.

United Way of Greater Charlotte (United Way) is a much-respected 90-year-old organization focused on building innovative solutions to solve our region’s most urgent challenges, working hand in hand with neighborhoods and grassroots nonprofits. Through data-driven collective efforts, we break down barriers to create uniquely impactful programs that help lift people out of poverty.

United Way is governed by a Board of Directors comprising over 25 members and supported by a staff of more than 35. The organization operates with an annual budget of $21 million, nearly $18 million of which is directly invested in the community. United Way currently utilizes the fractional human resources, finance and IT services of Ascend Nonprofit Solutions and we are located in the Ascend building in uptown Charlotte, NC.

Salary is commensurate with experience, education, and the scope of responsibility, and is aligned with sector benchmarks and organizational capacity with a range of $153,00-$164,000. We encourage mental and physical wellness and promote preventive care through a comprehensive benefits plan including Health, Dental, Vision, 401k Defined Contribution Plan, 13 Paid Holidays and generous Paid Time-Off.

Staff work a hybrid schedule and the CDO is expected to work onsite and in the community a minimum of three to four days each week. Frequent evening and weekend work hours are required for community meetings and events.

The Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will have proven ability to accomplish the following duties:

Fundraising Strategy and Execution:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising plan to generate revenue from individuals, foundations, corporations, and the public sector, aligned with community impact priorities.
• Collaborate with leadership to set team goals, securing large-scale investments across a 5-county region.
• Coach and train board members, the President & CEO and other team members helping them understand their roles in philanthropy, build confidence in fundraising, leverage their networks, and align on strategy and execution.
• Manage departmental budget and revenue goals, using data-driven analysis for projections.

Donor Cultivation, Solicitation and Stewardship:

• Identify and implement communication and engagement strategies to cultivate and steward relationships with individual donors, corporate investors, foundations, and the public sector, inviting them to invest in United Way’s work in ways that align with their own philanthropic goals.
• Develop monthly schedule for specific donor and stakeholder engagement for the President & CEO.
• Develop thoughtful, comprehensive and easy-to-use donor briefings for board members, the President & CEO and other team members to guide cultivation, solicitation and stewardship efforts.
• Collaborate with the workplace giving team transitioning workplace donors to individual and major gift donors.
• Ensure corporate leader engagement with the President & CEO with the goal of securing personal and corporate donations.
• Curate opportunities for the President & CEO to engage and strengthen relationships with local elected officials and senior city and county leaders.
• Collaborate in strategic partnership with the Chief Impact Officer to ensure grant proposals align with the nonprofit’s overall development goals and funding priorities.
• Create and implement a donor stewardship program to recognize and thank donors for their support.

Relationship Building and Community Engagement:

• Exude the following personal attributes:
• Empathy, self-awareness and ability to navigate complex relationships with emotional intelligence and care.
• Ability to build lasting trust through authenticity and ethical follow-through.
• Passion for mission and clear, compelling storytelling with the ability to listen actively and communicate with diplomacy.
• Flexibility and optimism in the face of change, showing resilience and persistence in building relationships and meeting goals.
• Cultivate relationships with key donors, funders, volunteers, community leaders, and agencies.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for Resource Development and act as a visible community leader, representing United Way at events and strategic initiatives.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Build and foster a strong Resource Development team, ensuring the skills, tools, and resources to succeed in fundraising.
• Foster a positive and inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration and innovation.
• Identify future leaders and encourage professional growth.

Organizational Leadership:

• Work together with the Executive Leadership Team to build a foundation of trust, develop clear communication norms, and commit to shared goals and accountability.
• Bring a philanthropic lens to the strategic discussions and decisions of the organization as a member of the Executive Leadership Team.
• Contribute to the agency budget by informing revenue strategy, ensuring fundraising feasibility, and aligning development goals with financial planning.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, human services, business, communications or a related field (advanced degree and Certified Professional Fundraising Executive accreditation preferred).
• Strong knowledge of fundraising principles, strategies, and best practices.
• At least 10 years of development experience, and proven success raising funds through Major Gifts, Planned Giving, and Capital Campaigns, plus 5 years in executive management.
• Proven success engaging leadership volunteers, with the ability to present persuasively to executives and boards of directors.
• Experience partnering on fundraising with board members and managing board committees.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple initiatives while maintaining attention to detail.
• Strong strategic and business analytics skills to find innovative ways to maximize community impact.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to adapt to change and solve problems independently.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

About the Organization

In 2025, United Way invests $17.9 million in community initiatives. Of the funded nonprofits, 49% are place-based, and 75% are led by people of color. Over 50 neighborhoods across the greater Charlotte area will benefit, with a total of 134 nonprofits receiving funding throughout Mecklenburg, Anson, Cabarrus and Union counties.

We’re blazing new paths forward by creating better outcomes through clear, open, bold and impactful actions. To do so, we follow these truths:

• We do everything with transparency, authenticity and focus.
• We’re not afraid to stand up and speak out where no one else will.
• Collaborations are key to understanding our communities and their complexities.
• Data drives real, sustainable change in Greater Charlotte.

We believe lasting change starts by amplifying community voices. Our work centers on solving complex issues through collaboration, strategic investments, and advocacy. We build authentic relationships, lead community forums, develop tailored grant proposals, facilitate values-aligned funding, invest in leadership development, and continuously work to strengthen communities across Greater Charlotte.

Our team is driven by purpose, empathy, and a deep commitment to equity. We approach every challenge with care, authenticity, and a willingness to speak out for those whose voices need to be heard. Collaboration fuels our work. We foster psychological safety by creating a workplace where people feel free to speak up, take risks, and learn from mistakes. While our mission is serious, we value humor and joy along the way—believing that compassion, connection, and laughter strengthen both our work and our team.

Want to know more? Visit the United Way of Greater Charlotte website at https://unitedwaygreaterclt.org/.

Think you are the next United Way of Greater Charlotte Chief Development Officer?

To apply, click on the link to the Executive Director position profile at https://jobs.armstrongmcguire.com/. You will see instructions for uploading your compelling cover letter, resume, salary requirements, and professional references. Please provide all requested information to be considered. In case of any technical problems, contact talent@armstrongmcguire.com. No phone calls, please, and no applications will be accepted by email or directly from third-party posting sites.

Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

United Way is committed a workforce that reflects the community we serve. We encourage candidates to apply even if you don't meet every requirement. United Way values passion for the mission, relevant skills, and a willingness to learn, believing that diverse perspectives and unique experiences are essential to building a strong, inclusive team.

About Armstrong McGuire

Armstrong McGuire is a national executive search, fundraising and strategic advising firm that believes in unlocking the potential of nonprofit leaders and the communities they serve. Founded in 2004, our diverse team of advisors work with clients and leaders to align strategy, optimize operations, build capacity, and lead nationwide searches that bring supremely talented individuals to high-impact organizations. Learn more about our services in talent acquisition, fundraising counsel, and strategic planning.

To apply, click on the link to the Executive Director position profile at https://jobs.armstrongmcguire.com/. You will see instructions for uploading your compelling cover letter, resume, salary requirements, and professional references. Please provide all requested information to be considered. In case of any technical problems, contact talent@armstrongmcguire.com. No phone calls, please, and no applications will be accepted by email or directly from third-party posting sites.