Chief Development Officer (CDO)

Save the Chimps -
Fort Pierce, FL

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Job Details

Full-time

Qualifications

Team leadership
Funder relationship management
Major gift prospect cultivation
Bachelor's degree
Customer relationship management
Non-profit experience
Donor and alumni database management
Data analysis software
Senior leadership

Full Job Description

Location: Hybrid - On-site & Remote

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Direct Reports: Director of Development, Director of Special Projects, and Manager of

Institutional and Individual Giving

Employment Type: Full-time exempt

Date: 10/10/25

Organizational Overview
Save the Chimps operates the largest privately funded chimpanzee sanctuary in the world.

Located on 150 acres in Fort Pierce, on the Treasure Coast of Florida, the Sanctuary provides

high-quality lifetime medical and behavioral care and enrichment for chimpanzees rescued from

research laboratories, entertainment, and the pet trade.

Save the Chimps was established in 1997 and is home to over 200 chimpanzees. The work of
the organization is accomplished by a nonprofit board of directors, approximately 85 full-time
staff, and a number of community volunteers.

Job Overview

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) will be responsible for designing and leading Save the
Chimps’ comprehensive fundraising strategy to support its mission and long-term sustainability.
The CDO will serve as a key member of the senior team, overseeing all aspects of
development, donor relations, and communications.

Key Responsibilities

The CDO will drive the growth of Save the Chimps’ fundraising program, which has a diverse
pipeline of support, including foundation, corporation, membership and individual partners with
an annual budget of $11M+. A key component of the job will be to develop new approaches to
expanding Save the Chimps’ donor base through close collaboration with the development
directors and the CEO.

In addition to overseeing all day-to-day management of the fundraising program, the CDO will
provide leadership in the following areas:

Strategic Leadership

Develop and implement a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with organizational

goals, with clear targets and milestones, analysis of potential audiences, budgets and
staffing requirements.

Ensure supporters and board members are engaged and giving at maximum capacity.

Fundraising & Donor Relations

Lead and ensure the growth of the portfolio of major donors, foundations, and corporate

sponsors.

Directly manage institutional and individual donors' portfolios through cultivation,

solicitation, and stewardship.

In collaboration with the CEO, lead the successful completion of Save the Chimps’

capital campaign.

Oversee proposal development, donor recognition, and grant reporting processes
Research, identify, and cultivate new supporters, including major individual, corporate,

and foundation donors, as well as public grant or appropriation opportunities.

Build and grow meaningful relationships that result in support for Save the Chimps;
Engage in networking, prospecting, solicitation, and donor stewardship, including

traveling for visits and events.

Team Management

Supervise the development team, including the Director of Development, who oversees

all fundraising events, and the Director of Special Projects.

Manage, grow, and retain a team of high-performing and high-capacity development

professionals.

Build and maintain strong cross-departmental collaboration with finance, programs

(Veterinary Services and Chimpanzee Care & Behavior), facilities and human resources.

Lead the performance management process and set goals that will further challenge and

build the capacity of each direct report.

Board & External Engagement

Establish strong working relationships and partner closely with each of the Board of

Directors on fundraising projects.

Participate in Board of Directors meetings and prepare reports and updates as

requested by the CEO and Board.

Represent the organization at events, donor meetings, and in the community.

Data & Systems

In collaboration with the Director of Development, oversee fundraising systems (CRM) to

ensure accurate donor tracking, segmentation, and analysis.

Use data driven insights to evaluate fundraising performance and adjust strategies.
Develop and manage the Development Department budget, detailing department

revenue and expenses.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred).
Minimum 10 years leading fundraising efforts in the non-profit sector.
Progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising, including major gifts and campaigns.

Proven success managing donor portfolios of

$1M+ annually.

Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
Familiarity with fundraising software.
Commitment to Save the Chimps’ mission and values.

Preferred Attributes

Experience with Florida philanthropic networks and corporate giving.
Ability to work effectively in a remote/hybrid environment.
Entrepreneurial spirit and strategic mindset.
Persuasive and compelling communicator, an excellent listener, emotionally intelligent,

fosters a positive work environment, possesses a curious, collaborative, and creative

mindset.

Environmental Requirements

Tasks are regularly performed with potential for exposure to adverse conditions, such as

dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, temperature and noise extremes,

machinery, vibrations, animals/wildlife.

Employees must not object to unpleasant chimpanzee behaviors including spitting of

water or saliva, throwing of feces, food or other waste, and chimpanzee displays that

may include banging, kicking of the fencing, and loud screams or hooting.

Health Requirements

STC follows and adheres to all local, state and federal regulations and public health

mandates. STC currently requires employees (based on role) to be vaccinated for

Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR), Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Tetanus (every 10 years),

Influenza (annually) and test negative for TB (annually).

Employees working on-site must be comfortable and compliant with sanctuary protocols

related to working in proximity to both humans and chimpanzees, and wearing of PPE.

Save the Chimps is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all

positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, national

origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally

protected status.

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