Chief Development Officer

The World Science Festival (WSF) is a multimedia organization producing original content straddling science, the arts, journalism, and education. Founded in 2008, WSF is viewed as the premier platform bringing transformative ideas at the forefront of discovery to mainstream audiences. With formats spanning innovative works of theatre, film, dance, and music, immersive live and virtual experiences, as well as riveting discussions and debates, WSF is lauded globally for its groundbreaking live and digital content featuring world-renowned scientists, artists, and intellectuals. Based in New York City, WSF is distinctive in its commitment to editorial standards and production excellence, providing worldwide audiences an exciting and impactful view of the near and far future.

About the role

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) will lead the design and execution of a comprehensive fundraising strategy for WSF, diversifying and expanding its funding base while stewarding a loyal core of long-standing supporters. Reporting to the Co-Founder and CEO, with a dotted line to the President, this role will help grow the organization's philanthropic revenue to support its mission and goals. The CDO will develop infrastructure, processes, and manage a team while working in close partnership with organizational leadership and an engaged, accomplished board. The ideal candidate will be comfortable in high-level, creative strategy conversations and in the hands-on work of identifying, cultivating, and closing new philanthropic relationships.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead a multi-year comprehensive fundraising strategy that diversifies WSF's funding base while setting the stage for year-over-year philanthropic growth.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to shape organizational priorities into high-impact funding strategies.
• Identify and prioritize funding opportunities across WSF's core program areas, including all live and digital content and educational initiatives.
• Set clear revenue goals, performance benchmarks, and accountability structures across the department.
• Directly cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major funders that include individuals, foundations, and corporations.
• Identify and pursue new funders with a specific focus on bringing in new individual, foundation, and corporate donors while also exploring innovative funding streams outside of traditional philanthropy.
• Support the Founders and Board with donor cultivation, solicitation strategy, and stewardship, helping them to prepare, position, and follow through on solicitations.
• Lead, inspire, and mentor a talented team of fundraising professionals while fostering a high-performance, accountable team environment.
• Assess and build out the development team's organizational structure, including hiring for current vacancies, defining role scope, and identifying gaps in capacity.
• Set clear performance expectations, establish and maintain strong KPI practices, provide consistent feedback, and build professional development pathways that attract and retain top talent.
• Serve as a visible and trusted leader across the organization, helping to build a culture of philanthropy where staff at all levels understand and support fundraising goals.
• Align fundraising priorities with programmatic and creative teams.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a minimum of 5 years of senior leadership experience overseeing a development program.
• Track record of fundraising success and measurable revenue growth in organizations of similar size and scope, including direct solicitation and closing of individual major gifts and corporate partnerships at the 6-figure level and above.
• Proven success leading, coaching, and mentoring teams, including building culture and managing performance.
• Experience diversifying a funding base and cultivating new and non-traditional philanthropic relationships.
• Commitment to leading by example, including demonstrating and fostering a strong sense of urgency, accountability, and sound decision-making to achieve goals.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence, with the ability to build genuine relationships with a sophisticated, generous, and busy board, as well as donors and colleagues at all levels.
• A data-informed mindset with comfort using KPIs and performance data to drive accountability and decision-making.
• Collaborative, flexible, team-oriented, and positive approach to work.
• Authentic and deep interest in the mission and work of the WSF.
• Familiarity with the NYC philanthropic community and funders is a plus but not required.

Location & Work Environment

This role is based in New York City with a full-time in-office schedule.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $190,000 - $220,000 annually.

Benefits

WSF offers a comprehensive package of benefits.