New Jersey Community Development Corporation (NJCDC) is a multi-faceted community development and social service agency providing opportunities to transform lives in the historic city of Paterson, New Jersey. Created in 1994, NJCDC’s mission is to create opportunities to transform lives—with special emphasis on helping all 8,000 children living or going to school in Paterson’s Great Falls Neighborhood graduate from high school ready for college and a career.
To join its executive leadership team, NJCDC is seeking an accomplished and dynamic Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead the organization’s fundraising, communications, marketing, and external engagement efforts. Working closely with the President & CEO, Board of Trustees, and senior leadership, the CDO will develop and execute strategies to significantly grow philanthropic support, strengthen relationships with donors, corporations, foundations, government partners, and other key stakeholders, and elevate NJCDC’s visibility and profile.
The successful candidate will have demonstrated success in personally identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors and institutional funders, as well as the leadership and communications skills necessary to build a comprehensive and high-performing development operation. NJCDC is seeking a highly motivated, results-oriented, entrepreneurial, and exceptionally driven leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, takes initiative, and can successfully manage multiple priorities while maintaining a strong focus on measurable results.
For further information, please contact Wendy McGuire at . The deadline for receipt of applications is August 31, 2026.
Role Description
The Chief Development Officer will serve as a member of NJCDC’s executive leadership team and as the organization’s senior leader responsible for philanthropy, development, communications, marketing, and external engagement.
Working closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees, the CDO will develop and execute strategies to significantly grow philanthropic support, strengthen relationships with major donors, corporations, foundations, government partners, and other key stakeholders, elevate NJCDC’s public profile, and position the organization for continued growth.
The CDO will personally cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and prospects; lead an integrated Development and Communications function; manage and develop staff and external resources; and establish measurable goals and strategies to expand NJCDC’s financial resources, donor base, partnerships, and external reach.
Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Fundraising and Development Leadership
· Develop and implement a comprehensive annual fundraising strategy designed to significantly increase financial support for NJCDC’s programs, services, and organizational priorities, with particular emphasis on major gifts, individual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation support, and other philanthropic opportunities.
· Personally identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and prospects, while preparing and supporting the CEO, Board members, and other organizational leaders in donor cultivation and solicitation.
· Maintain and significantly expand NJCDC’s existing donor base through effective cultivation, stewardship, annual appeals, individual outreach, donor acquisition, and retention strategies.
· Analyze and assess NJCDC’s donor database and giving history and develop targeted strategies to increase individual giving at all levels, including the development of a robust major-gifts pipeline.
· Lead or play a central role in major capital and special fundraising initiatives, including campaigns associated with NJCDC’s expanding facilities, programs, and long-term organizational priorities.
· Research and implement planned-giving and other long-term philanthropic initiatives designed to strengthen NJCDC’s financial sustainability.
· Work closely with executive and program leadership to identify and pursue public and private funding opportunities that advance NJCDC’s strategic priorities.
· Proactively identify potential grant sources and oversee and/or prepare compelling proposals to corporate, foundation, and government funders.
· Develop and deepen relationships with corporations through financial support, sponsorships, volunteer engagement, and other strategic partnerships.
· Manage and enhance NJCDC’s existing fundraising events—including the Annual Gala, Golf Outing, and Casino Night—and evaluate and develop new events and engagement opportunities that advance fundraising and organizational goals.
Executive Leadership and Management
· Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and Board of Trustees in cultivating relationships with major donors, corporate leaders, foundations, government partners, elected officials, and other key external stakeholders.
· Build, lead, mentor, and hold accountable a high-performing Development and Communications team, establishing clear goals, metrics, work plans, and standards of excellence.
· Assess the infrastructure, staffing, technology, systems, and resources necessary to support a high-performing development and communications operation and develop plans for continuous improvement.
· Establish measurable annual goals and performance indicators for fundraising, donor acquisition and retention, communications reach, corporate engagement, and other departmental priorities, and regularly report progress to the CEO and Board.
· Staff and provide strategic support to the Board of Trustees Nominating & Development Committee and engage Board members effectively in fundraising, relationship-building, and organizational advancement.
· Collaborate closely with other members of the executive leadership team and program leadership to ensure that fundraising, communications, and external engagement strategies are aligned with NJCDC’s mission and organizational priorities.
Communications, Marketing, and External Affairs
· Provide strategic leadership for all organizational communications, marketing, branding, public relations, and external affairs efforts, ensuring a consistent and compelling presentation of NJCDC’s mission, accomplishments, programs, and impact.
· Serve as a key external representative of NJCDC with a wide range of audiences, including corporate and individual donors, foundations, government agencies, elected officials, advocacy organizations, community partners, media, and other stakeholders.
· Develop and implement strategies to elevate NJCDC’s visibility locally, statewide, and beyond and to position the organization as a leader in community development, education, youth development, affordable and supportive housing, and neighborhood revitalization.
· Oversee NJCDC’s digital communications, website, social media, e-newsletters, broadcast communications, publications, videos, annual reports, brochures, and other informational and marketing materials.
· Develop and maintain strong relationships with area media outlets and proactively identify opportunities for coverage of NJCDC’s programs, accomplishments, events, community impact, and human-interest stories.
· Oversee the planning and execution of a robust annual calendar of organizational events, including ribbon-cuttings, program-specific events, donor and partner events, press events with funders and elected officials, and other activities designed to strengthen NJCDC’s visibility and relationships.
· Develop and implement corporate engagement strategies, including volunteer opportunities and other initiatives designed to deepen relationships with corporate partners.
· Ensure consistency throughout the organization in branding, messaging, communications, marketing, and public relations.
Development Systems and Technology
· Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and effective use of NJCDC’s fundraising and donor-management systems, including systems used to track donors, prospects, communications, relationships, and engagement.
· Use data and analytics to evaluate fundraising performance, identify opportunities, strengthen donor relationships, and inform development strategy.
· Identify and implement contemporary fundraising, communications, donor-management, research, and productivity technologies that improve departmental effectiveness and organizational reach.
· Embrace emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools, where appropriate to enhance prospect research, fundraising, communications, marketing, data analysis, and organizational effectiveness.
Role Requirements – I changed this from Person Specification as it seemed more appropriate
The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate evidence of the following skills, capabilities, and experience:
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree and/or CFRE accreditation preferred.
- A minimum of 8–10 years of progressively responsible experience in development, fundraising, external affairs, communications, marketing, or related fields, including significant senior leadership responsibility.
- Demonstrated success in developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies that have resulted in meaningful growth in philanthropic revenue.
- A strong record of personally cultivating, soliciting, and securing five-figure and higher major gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other institutional funders.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and manage a major-gifts pipeline and build long-term relationships with donors and prospects.
- Experience with capital campaigns, transformational gifts, or other major fundraising initiatives is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated competency and strategic experience in marketing, communications, public relations, and organizational positioning.
- Experience in the nonprofit sector is strongly preferred, particularly within organizations involved in community development, education, human services, housing, or related fields.
- Knowledge of local and New Jersey philanthropy and established relationships within philanthropic, corporate, government, and civic communities are highly desirable.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication, presentation, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
- Strong executive presence and the ability to effectively represent NJCDC with donors, corporate and foundation leaders, elected and government officials, community leaders, media, and other external audiences.
- Proven ability to lead, motivate, supervise, and develop staff while establishing clear expectations and accountability for results.
- Superb organizational skills, attention to detail, strong follow-through, and the ability to successfully manage multiple priorities and meet demanding deadlines.
- An entrepreneurial, self-starting, and results-oriented approach, with the ability to identify opportunities, develop strategies, and move initiatives from concept to successful execution.
- Ability to work effectively in a diverse environment as a member of a strong team, meet high expectations for performance, and contribute to a culture of collegiality, collaboration, mutual support, and shared commitment to NJCDC’s mission.
- Strong proficiency with contemporary fundraising, donor-management, communications, and productivity technologies, with an ability and willingness to learn and adopt emerging technologies and tools.
Appointment Details and How to Apply
The deadline for receipt of applications is August 31, 2026.
Longlisted candidates will be invited to a first interview in mid-September 2026.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview with NJCDC in late September 2026.
An appointment will be made subject to receipt of satisfactory references.
The appointed candidate will be offered a competitive salary commensurate with experience and the responsibilities of the position, anticipated to start at $150,000.
About NJCDC
NJCDC is a private nonprofit community development and social service agency focused on education, youth development, housing, and community-building initiatives that transform lives and strengthen neighborhoods in Paterson.
Paterson, New Jersey’s third-largest city, faces many challenges common to urban communities, including poverty, unemployment, housing needs, and under-resourced schools. NJCDC works to connect the essential elements of neighborhood revitalization—strong schools, safe and affordable housing, youth development, job training, economic opportunity, and resident-led advocacy.
NJCDC’s vision is for all 8,000 children who live or attend school in the Great Falls Promise Neighborhood to graduate from high school prepared for college and careers.
Since its founding in 1994, NJCDC has helped rebuild and strengthen Paterson by empowering and partnering with neighborhood residents and stakeholders. The organization serves more than 4,000 children and families each day, has invested more than $120 million in neighborhood assets—including housing, schools, youth facilities, and community spaces—and operates with an annual budget of approximately $18 million and a staff of about 150 employees.
NJCDC also engages residents and business owners in advocating for shared neighborhood priorities through an active Community Advisory Board representing communities across the Great Falls Neighborhood. The organization works with public- and private-sector partners to advance initiatives that foster hope, opportunity, and meaningful benefits for Paterson residents.
Believing education is essential to opportunity, NJCDC operates a broad range of educational and youth-development programs that help residents reach their full potential. Its work extends beyond the classroom through after-school programs, youth initiatives, and teen centers that invest in Paterson’s young people and future leaders.
NJCDC also develops and operates affordable and supportive housing in Paterson, including housing with on-site social services for vulnerable individuals and families. Through its comprehensive focus on both people and place, NJCDC creates opportunities, strengthens neighborhoods, and helps residents build brighter futures.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $150,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
