Chief Philanthropy Officer

About the role

The Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO) will be a bold, relational, and results-driven professional who will serve as the organization’s senior philanthropic leader and a key member of the executive team. The CPO will build and lead a comprehensive, multi-year philanthropy strategy that fuels ESP’s growth and advances its mission: creating transformative experiences for people with disabilities and their families and changing communities for the better. This is both an enterprise leadership role and a frontline fundraising role. Extra Special People has partnered with ZRG Aspen Leadership Group in the search for a Chief Philanthropy Officer.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high‑performing philanthropy team.
• Personally manage a portfolio of ESP’s most significant donors and prospects.
• Partner closely with the CEO and boards to align fundraising with organizational goals.
• Strengthen the systems, culture, and relationships required for sustainable philanthropic growth.
• Build and lead a comprehensive, multi‑year philanthropy strategy that fuels ESP’s growth and advances its mission.

Qualifications / Requirements

• Strategic range, operational discipline, emotional intelligence, and organizational perspective.
• Ability to contribute well beyond fundraising and expand enterprise leadership capacity.
• Potential for broader organizational leadership opportunities over time based on performance, readiness, and organizational needs.