Chief Development Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

Based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum (USOPM) houses our U.S. Olympic and Paralympic legacy. The 60,000-square-foot museum honors the ideals and documents the history of the U. S. Olympic and Paralympic movement and celebrates the achievements of its athletes. Home to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame, the museum offers interactive exhibits, innovative programs and displays, and compelling artifacts in a setting celebrated for its accessibility.

SUMMARY:

This is an exciting opportunity to join a team of talented professionals working to honor America’s greatest athletes, and steward the spirit, legacy, and history of the Olympic & Paralympic Games. Reporting to the CEO, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) will use their talent, energy, and experience to design and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy that sustains and grows the Museum’s mission and impact. This role is equally focused on two areas:

1. Leadership & Systems (50%) – building and leading a high-performing development team, implementing efficient systems and processes that support a sophisticated, best-in-class fundraising program.
2. Major Gift Engagement (50%) – personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors and prospects to secure annual operating, special project, and transformative philanthropic support.

The CDO serves as a strategic partner to the CEO, Board of Directors, and senior staff, advancing a culture of philanthropy across the organization. The CDO will oversee programs with annual revenue goals in the $2.5 – 3.5 million range.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Leadership, Department & Systems (50%)

• Build systems and structures to grow and maintain a sophisticated and sustainable development program that aligns with and supports the USOPM’s strategic objectives and ensures best practice and scalability.
• Manage professional staff to ensure they have the skills and resources to meet and exceed programmatic, financial, and activity goals; function as a strong team players; and receive meaningful professional development.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising program including annual giving, major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, planned giving, membership, and special events. Establish performance metrics and regularly report on progress toward goals.

• Oversee creation and implementation of annual plans and budgets– to include strategic communications, cultivation efforts, solicitation opportunities, and stewardship and donor recognition functions – for each donor audience/segment.
• Working closely with leadership and program staff across the organization, develop and execute a strategy to capitalize on federal and other competitive grant opportunities.

• Ensure compliance with ethical standards, legal regulations, and institutional policies related to fundraising.
• Participate as a member of the leadership team. Contribute to organization-wide initiatives including strategic planning, staff engagement, and program prioritization and development.
• Work closely with the USOPC to coordinate and capitalize on donor and sponsor relationships and solicitations.
• Support the CEO in all efforts to ensure the USOPM’s success.

Donor Cultivation, Solicitation & Stewardship (50%)

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major donors and prospects capable of giving six- to eight-figure gifts.
• Develop and execute tailored cultivation strategies to build deep, lasting relationships with individuals, foundations, and corporations.
• Collaborate with the CEO, Board members, and key stakeholders in donor engagement and solicitation strategies; generate information for the completion of development tasks.
• Ensure meaningful donor recognition and stewardship to strengthen long-term loyalty and support.
• Lead efforts to expand the donor pipeline, increasing both the number and diversity of supporters.
• Work independently with Board members, leadership volunteers, and existing donors to maintain existing donors and identify and engage new prospects.
• Serve as primary liaison to the Revenue Development Committee of the Board of Directors; provide high quality support and expert counsel to all efforts.
• Lead efforts to engage elected officials and public sector support opportunities.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred
• Professional experience and sophistication necessary to be successful in a strategic leadership role in a complex and evolving organization.
• At least 10 years of relative work experience; minimum 5 years of experience leading staff teams.
• Proven ability to lead a results-oriented development function, meeting revenue and activity goals.
• Professionalism and interpersonal skills necessary to be an effective representative of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum to partners and supporters.
• Demonstrated ability to manage programs and projects from conceptualization through to implementation; specific experience in designing and executing comprehensive fundraising processes and procedures and in creating business/financial plans to support programs and activities.
• Success in securing multiple major gifts of 7-figures or more.
• Experience within or knowledge of the amateur sport or Olympic/Paralympic movement is beneficial.
• Experience working within a cultural institution – preferably a museum – is beneficial.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to think strategically, understand both long- and short- term planning needs and opportunities, and prioritize the work of self and others.
• Strong leadership skills, ability to excite staff around shared goals, and willingness to initiate new practices and eliminate old.
• Ability and experience establishing program goals, measuring progress against goals, analyzing results, and supporting a culture of accountability.
• Strong customer service orientation.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL/ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Able to operate standard office equipment.
• Works under a moderate degree of stress.
• This leadership position will require periodic evening and weekend work.
• Position requires episodic travel regionally and withing the U.S.

The USOPM’s culture is one of collaboration, collegiality, and teamwork. The CDO must have a desire to work in a mission-first and audience-centered culture following the museum’s core values of friendship, respect, excellence, determination, equality, inspiration, and courage. The CDO must intend to produce products and experiences of exceptionally high quality and to enjoy work and colleagues.

At the USOPM, we believe that to achieve our greatest potential, diversity of experience and viewpoints is paramount. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and life experience. The USOPM is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.