Chief Development Officer
Opportunity Overview
Knoxville Habitat for Humanity seeks a Chief Development Officer to lead fundraising, business development, and stakeholder-related revenue generation. This role reports directly to the CEO and will shape and execute a comprehensive development strategy.
Responsibilities
- Turn belief in the mission into deeper relationships and stronger philanthropic investment
- Secure significant philanthropic support
- Translate priorities into a focused and measurable development plan
- Create clarity, develop people, and build accountability
- Communicate the urgency and promise of affordable housing
- Operate with accurate data, strong systems, and ethical fundraising practices
- Partner with the Board and Development Committee
- Coach the development team
- Translate fundraising activity into measurable progress
Requirements
- Demonstrated success securing significant philanthropic support
- Strategic thinker with a focus on developing a focused and measurable development plan
- Team leader with the ability to create clarity, develop people, and build accountability
- Compelling communicator with the ability to articulate the urgency and promise of affordable housing
- Operator with a commitment to accurate data, strong systems, and ethical fundraising practices
- Trusted partner to the CEO, Board, staff, and community
- Thoughtful problem-solver with the ability to lead complex initiatives across departments
- Leader who embodies the dignity, hope, and partnership at the heart of the Habitat mission
Qualifications
- Experience in fundraising and business development
- Strong strategic planning and execution skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to manage a team and build accountability
- Knowledge of donor relations and stewardship
- Experience with donor management software (such as DonorPerfect)
Skills
- Relationship building
- Philanthropic support securing
- Strategy development
- Team leadership
- Communication
- Data accuracy and system management
- Fundraising ethics
- Collaboration and innovation
- Shared goal of improving lives through affordable housing
Benefits
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Simplified Retirement Account with a 3% Company Match
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Time Off
Pay
$100,000 - $110,000 annually
Schedule
Full-time position
Company Culture
An energetic and committed team that values collaboration, innovation, and the shared goal of improving lives through affordable housing. Our workplace is supportive, engaging, and deeply rewarding.
Application Instructions
Knoxville Habitat for Humanity has engaged Nonprofit Leadership LLC to lead this search. Interested candidates should submit:
- A current resume
- A personalized cover letter describing a favorite moment in their work as a fundraiser and what made that experience meaningful
Application materials should be emailed to elle@nonprofit-leadership.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and must be received by September 17, 2026. All final hiring decisions remain with Knoxville Habitat for Humanity.