Chief Development Officer

The Details

Location: Brooklyn, NYC (Hybrid Role)

Start Date: January 2025

Salary Range: $156,000 - $162,000, based on pay scale

Travel: Some travel required for events and donor engagement

Reports To: Executive Director, Danielle Sered

Priority Application Deadline: September 10th

Please note that the application deadline is September 10th. We will not actively screen those who apply after the deadline. However, applications received after the deadline may be reviewed if the position still needs to be filled.

The Opportunity

Common Justice seeks a dynamic and strategic Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead our development and fundraising efforts. This role will join a highly dedicated and passionate team committed to advancing transformative solutions to violence and fostering racial equity without relying on incarceration. The CDO will be crucial in stabilizing and strengthening the organization's financial foundation by leading prospecting, developing new relationships,  articulating our nuanced framework, and expanding our donor base. The person in this role will make a significant impact by guiding the team through a period of growth and development while contributing to the broader strategic direction of the organization as part of the Leadership Team. The CDO will have the chance to shape the organization's development strategy, foster collaboration, and ensure Common Justice's continued ability to deliver on its mission of justice and equity.

Key Responsibilities 

25% - Fundraising Strategy and Leadership

• Lead Fundraising Efforts: Drive the organization’s fundraising initiatives to achieve a $10M revenue target for FY26, setting the stage for future growth.

• Fundraising Culture: Engage non-development staff in grassroots campaigns, fostering cross-departmental collaboration with Programs and Finance.

• Strategic Collaboration: Work closely with the Executive Director, COO, and Board of Directors to maintain accurate revenue projections, refine strategies, and support fundraising objectives.

• Policy Development: Regularly review and realign fundraising policies, including gift acceptance and overall fundraising culture.

50% - Fundraising Operations and Donor Relations

• Donor Cultivation and Stewardship: Cultivate and manage relationships with current and prospective funders, stewarding a portfolio of donors alongside the Executive Director and Major Gifts Officer.

• Individual Donor Strategy: Develop and implement strategies to grow Common Justice’s individual donor base, collaborating with the Donor Organizer and Communications team.

• Corporate Partnerships: Expand the corporate giving program by exploring partnerships with current prospects (e.g., law firms, the NFL, arts institutions) and identifying new opportunities.
• Government Partnerships: Support the Finance and Operations team in exploring new partnerships, advising on RFPs, and providing input on contract systems and quarterly vouchers.

• Fundraising Events: Plan and manage donor stewardship and fundraising events in partnership with Communications.

25% - Team Development and Coaching

• Mentorship and Team Growth: Provide intensive support, mentorship, and strategic guidance to the Development team, ensuring their professional growth and effectiveness.

• Team Management: Provide performance evaluations, check-ins, and team collaboration opportunities for the Development team that motivates and empowers team members to achieve their full potential.

• Operational Oversight: Oversee all fundraising and grant systems, processes, and other tools to ensure efficient and timely use by all team members.

The Skills You’ll Need

Success in the Chief Development Officer role will require a deep commitment to Common Justice’s mission, core values and commitment to social justice, as well as knowledge about structural inequities and how they impact fundraising.

The ideal candidate will also bring the following skills, attributes and experiences:

• 10+ years of experience in fundraising, especially in major donor cultivation and direct solicitation (including a proven track record of closing 6- and 7-figure gifts), as well as foundation and corporate giving
• Experience with community-centric fundraising approaches is a plus
• 7+ of experience in managing development teams
• Desire to build and develop a newly expanded fundraising team
• Experience using donor management systems to track the team’s progress and make strategic decisions
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and trust across diverse life experiences and backgrounds
• Strong understanding of and respect for boundaries with the ability to cultivate a balanced work environment within the team and with donors
• Strong project management skills and attention to detail

Additionally, you may be aligned with this role if you see yourself in the following examples:

• Experience applying a trauma-informed disability justice lens to their work
• Established partnerships within New York City and national funding communities
• Background in the criminal justice sector
• Proven track record of collaborating with Executive Directors, leadership teams, trustees, staff, and donors
• Lived experience of incarceration and/or criminal justice involvement (strongly preferred)

The People

The Chief Development Officer will work closely with the Executive Director, COO, Communications team, Vice Presidents of Programs and Vice President Organizing and Policy, and the Board on fundraising strategy to support the resource needs of Common Justice. They will supervise the Major Gifts Officer, Manager of Institutional Giving, Donor Organizer, and Development Coordinator. The CDO reports directly to the Executive Director and is a member of the Leadership Team.

The Organization

In our direct service work, Common Justice operates a restorative justice-based alternative to prison and a victim service program for serious and/or violent felony cases such as assault, burglary, and robbery. This unique approach brings together 16 to 26 year-olds responsible for crimes with those they have harmed. Along with their support people, both parties engage in a facilitated restorative justice dialogue to determine appropriate agreements to make things as right as possible, taking the place of a prison sentence. This innovative approach to justice is what sets Common Justice apart, and we are looking for a Chief Development Officer who is inspired by this work and ready to contribute to our mission. The work includes:

• Intensive supervision and violence intervention work with people who have caused harm.
• Wraparound support for the survivors and their loved ones.
• Engagement of system actors who play critical roles in the diversion of cases. 

Common Justice is committed to meeting the needs of all people harmed by violence, preventing further harm, and improving the lives of people and the communities impacted by violence. We serve the full range of people harmed by crime, and a significant portion of the survivors we work with are men of color, many of them young adults. We believe that all survivors deserve more options that resonate with their sense of justice, safety, and respect, and that communities deserve programs that help eliminate cycles of violence, improve public safety, and meet their needs. 

The Benefits

The CDO will receive a competitive salary ranging from $156,000 to $162,000, based on our pay scale survey. To ensure equity, the salary offer will be non-negotiable. Common Justice also offers a comprehensive benefits package  including robust health coverage, a 401(k) plan with employer contributions, ample paid time off including vacation, sick leave, wellness days, and a sabbatical program for long-term employees. Professional and leadership development are strongly supported through annual stipends. Additionally, relocation assistance is available to help with the transition.

The Next Steps

This search is being led by Candice Durham and Emelyn Guevara of Imagine Consulting. We are a talent and recruitment firm specializing in placing high-impact people in high-impact roles. Interested candidates should click this link to apply. If you have questions or need support completing the application, please get in touch with our team at careers@imagineimpactllc.com.

Common Justice is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, or current employment status. Common Justice values diverse experiences, including educational background and justice system involvement. We depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission. 

Historically, people of color, women, transgender, GNCNB, and disabled individuals face insurmountable oppression when engaging with employers and recruiters. At Imagine, we understand that talent is not bound to a single story and that our intersectional identities are value adds in every space we enter. Common Justice and Imagine are committed to building and supporting a diverse staff, and investing in fostering leadership from marginalized communities.