Howe-Lewis International Leading Chief Development Officer Search for Safe Horizon

August 28, 2020 – Executive recruitment firm Howe-Lewis International has been selected to find a chief development officer for New York City-based non-profit Safe Horizon.

The chief development officer will lead and motivate a high-functioning department to raise large amounts of money in uncertain times from both public and private sources and to expand the base of support over time. The executive will be a demonstrated leader able to skillfully represent Safe Horizon to donors, prospects and the public. They will be an active participant in strategic discussions and plans about current and anticipated priorities, opportunities and the future direction of the agency.

Safe Horizon wants candidates that have an accomplished history as a generalist in a development leadership role as well as proven success as a front-line major gift solicitor from existing and new donors, said Howe-Lewis. Candidates should have an understanding of the social service sector and its unique funding sources and challenges. It is also important to have knowledge of the New York City business, government and philanthropic communities. In addition, candidates should have a steadfast commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, ideally with some experience in anti-racism work.

Established in 1978, Safe Horizon is the largest not-for-profit victim services agency in the U.S. Each year the organization helps 250,000 children, adults and families affected by crime and abuse. Safe Horizon partners with government and other community agencies and advocates for policies on the local, state and national levels on behalf of those affected by violence and abuse.

Founded in 1975, Howe-Lewis International focuses on the not-for-profit and healthcare sectors. Its clients represent a full range of education, cultural arts, healthcare, human services, membership and advocacy organizations. The firm is led by co-managing directors Patricia Anne Greco and Esther Rosenberg. Ms. Greco has over 20 years of executive search experience. Ms. Rosenberg has conducted searches for local, national and global health, education, human services, advocacy, cultural and community-based organizations.

Chief Development Officers

Virtually every industry needs top-drawer chief development officers. CDOs play a key role in planning, coordinating and administering capital campaigns, corporate giving and galvanizing new donors while keeping previous funders content. Implementing funding strategies that “keep the lights on,” according to recruiters specializing in the function, is job one.

Recruiters continue to report that CDOs are in high demand. Fundraising prowess and having an ability to drive growth are essential parts of the job in nearly every competitive organization today.

Recruiters generally say that the best training for these positions is experience, noting that there are many industry conferences and summits that are beneficial for benchmarking and sharing of best practices.

Here is a sampling of recent searches for chief development officers from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:

Development Guild DDI, which focuses on the non-profit sector, has been selected by US Sailing, the national governing body for the sport of sailing, to find a chief development officer. Leading the assignment is senior consultant Jesse Bryan. US Sailing is seeking a chief development officer to work closely with the CEO, the foundation chair and board of directors to design, lead and implement a sustainable development strategy to increase philanthropic revenue for its mission and programs, including youth development and the Olympics.

BoardWalk Consulting has been enlisted to find a chief development officer for the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) in Cleveland, OH. Leading the assignment are John Sparrow, senior director, and Paula Nicholas, senior research associate. As the institution strives to serve and advance the field of classical music, the chief development officer will lead CIM’s efforts to cultivate the resources and relationships necessary to further galvanize the organization’s role as an innovative model of how best to prepare the next generation of classical artists.

Lindauer has been selected to find a chief development officer for the renowned Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. The assignment is being spearheaded by Libby Roberts, senior vice president, and Faith Eutsay, senior consultant. The Gardner is seeking a chief development officer to ensure that the vision of Isabella Stewart Gardner continues to thrive and to support new efforts to interpret the core collection and its benefactor’s legacy of progressive civic leadership.