Lindauer Seeks Chief Development Officer for Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco
August 20, 2019 – Boston-based recruitment firm Lindauer has been enlisted by Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco to find a chief development officer to lead its development and marketing team. Libby Roberts, senior vice president, is spearheading the assignment.
“This is an exceptional leadership role for an experienced senior-level professional to join a successful team that is poised for growth,” said Lindauer. “The new CDO will bring solid capital campaign and major gifts experience, a proven track record building a team of professional fundraisers, and have the maturity and gravitas to interact with business and non-profit leaders.”
Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco seeks a talented executive who is skilled in developing and implementing successful, cost effective marketing and fundraising strategies that evoke passion about helping achieve the non-profit’s mission, said the search firm. Reporting to the chief executive officer, the CDO leads and manages all fundraising efforts of the organization to support and create public awareness of the non-profit’s homebuilding programs in the tri-county region.
The CDO is charged with fostering a culture of philanthropy and volunteerism and providing visionary leadership. The individual is also expected to ensure the execution of highly robust and efficient systems and procedures that support fund development. In addition, this role leads the philanthropic process and ensures that agency-wide philanthropy and fund development are carried out in accordance with the organization’s values, mission, vision and strategic plans.
Essential Functions
This position is an integral member of the executive leadership team, said Lindauer. The CDO will execute fundraising and manage a highly collegial, collaborative, mission-driven environment guided by intelligent development planning, metrics and direction. As the major revenue driver for the organization, the CDO will also maintain close connections with internal financial leaders and board committees.
Fundraising is an essential part of the role. The CDO serves as the lead strategist, designing and implementing organizational-wide development activities that advance the mission of Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco, said the search firm.
Staff development and leadership is also critical, said. The CDO will lead teams with operational efficiency and effectiveness that is demonstrated by quantitative metrics and accountability. The role also requires direct organizational efforts to develop effective and best-in-class giving programs, including sponsorship, direct marketing, planned giving, major gifts, donor acquisition, foundations, corporations, special events, donor recognition and acknowledgement, as well as other duties.
Qualifications for the job include having a true passion for Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco’s mission, and strategic capacity to grow funding pathways and drive awareness for habitat home ownership and neighborhood revitalization programs, said the search firm. Candidates should have a proven track record of successes leading strategic program/business growth through the creation and implementation of technology driven and engaging marketing and development programs.
Job Requirements
The CDO role calls for more than 10 years of experience in fundraising/ marketing in a leadership capacity. Experience leading successful, comprehensive and strategic fundraising or related programs is also required. Prospects must have the ability to lead strategic advancement programs, such as donor acquisition, sponsorship, planned giving, major gifts, direct mail and grant writing.
Candidates should also have experience in leading or overseeing a major capital campaign throughout all phases to completion, said Lindauer. They must have experience working with foundation and corporate partners, including identifying prospects, cultivating and stewarding relationships, and overseeing the strategic development of proposals. Prior experience effectively managing, mentoring and motivating teams across a variety of development, creative, marketing, and operations functions is also needed.
Why Recruiters Center On Fundraising Skills
Organizations nationwide are under pressure to find leaders who can act as de facto chief fundraisers – and recruiters are in lock step to find talent to satisfy the demand. These leaders need to be strategic thinkers who can motivate the stakeholders whose philanthropy pulls everything together.
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A bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, philanthropy or a related field is required. Candidates should have strong financial management and budgeting skills.
Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco, founded in 1989, builds homes and sustains affordable homeownership opportunities for families in Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties. On an annual basis, the organization raises $4 million. About $2 million is generated from individual support; corporate and foundation support raises $1.1 million; and the remainder is raised through grants, events and in-kind support. Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco is in the midst of a $40 million growth campaign, Framing the Future Now 2015-2022, that will unlock $160 million from other diverse funding sources.
Serving Non-Profits
Lindauer serves higher and secondary education, hospitals and academic research centers, think tanks, research facilities and foundations, as well as advocacy, public service, social justice and other mission-driven non-profits. It has led searches for the Boston YMCA, Center for Applied Special Technology, Healthy Minds Innovations/Center for Healthy Minds, the University of Texas at Austin and the Cockrell School of Engineering, among others.
Ms. Roberts has extensive philanthropic experience at blue-ribbon organizations establishing relationships with diverse constituents, focusing on strategic planning, executive search, team-building and board development. Her signature clients at Lindauer since 2014 have included: Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Berea College, Brookings Institution, Cranbrook Educational Community, Emerson College, Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mind Springs Health, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, The Museum of Arts and Design and University of Technology Sydney.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
