Chief Development Officer
Sandy Hook Promise has retained Heather Campbell, Partner within ThinkingAhead Executive Search’s Nonprofit Division, who will serve as our recruitment partner. If you are interested and qualified, please apply here: https://thinkingahead.com/opportunities/job/437607/
About Sandy Hook Promise
Founded in 2013 by family members who lost loved ones in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, Sandy Hook Promise is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing gun violence and other forms of violence before they occur. Through evidence-informed programs, bipartisan advocacy, research, and community engagement, the organization has trained millions of youth and adults to recognize warning signs, intervene early, and create safer schools and communities.
Today, Sandy Hook Promise reaches more than 50 million participants nationwide and continues to expand its impact through innovative prevention programs, policy initiatives, and strategic partnerships.
Position Summary
Reporting to Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Nicole Hockley, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) serves as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and provides strategic leadership for all fundraising activities across Sandy Hook Promise and the Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund.
The CDO will lead the organization's next phase of philanthropic growth by developing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that strengthens and diversifies revenue, deepens donor engagement, builds a high-performing development team, and aligns fundraising efforts with the organization's strategic priorities. This executive will partner closely with organizational leadership, the Board of Directors, and external stakeholders to advance Sandy Hook Promise's mission and long-term sustainability.
Essential Responsibilities
- Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy supporting organizational growth and long-term sustainability.
- Lead and grow a multi-channel fundraising program, including major gifts, principal gifts, institutional giving, corporate partnerships, advocacy fundraising, and emerging revenue opportunities.
- Personally manage and solicit a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects, securing transformational six- and seven-figure gifts.
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing national development team while fostering accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
- Partner closely with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team to align fundraising strategy with organizational priorities.
- Collaborate with both Co-Founders to leverage their visibility, relationships, and leadership in donor cultivation and stewardship.
- Strengthen fundraising operations through effective pipeline management, forecasting, performance metrics, donor analytics, and CRM utilization.
- Engage and support the Board of Directors and key volunteers in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and stewardship.
- Serve as a visible ambassador for Sandy Hook Promise with donors, foundations, corporate partners, policymakers, and external stakeholders.
- Foster a collaborative fundraising culture that reflects Sandy Hook Promise's commitment to inclusion, respect, and bipartisan violence prevention.
Successful candidates will bring many of the following qualifications:
- Significant senior fundraising leadership experience within a national nonprofit or similarly complex mission-driven organization.
- Demonstrated success developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies across multiple revenue streams.
- Proven record of personally cultivating, soliciting, and closing six- and seven-figure gifts.
- Experience leading, mentoring, and developing high-performing fundraising teams.
- Strong executive leadership skills with experience partnering across departments and with governing boards.
- Experience building fundraising infrastructure, utilizing CRM systems, establishing performance metrics, and leveraging data to drive strategy.
- Outstanding communication, relationship-building, and executive presence.
- Experience with both 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) fundraising is strongly preferred. Candidates without direct c4 experience should demonstrate familiarity with advocacy fundraising.
- Experience operating within politically nuanced or bipartisan environments is preferred.
- Experience leading within a fully remote or geographically distributed organization is preferred.
- Demonstrated commitment to Sandy Hook Promise's mission and values.
Salary: $200,000-$210,000 annually
Benefits include:
- Unlimited PTO
- Paid holidays
- Sick leave
- Paid parental leave
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Employer-paid life and disability insurance
- 401(k) with employer match
- Employee Assistance Program
- Home office reimbursement
- Monthly internet and cell phone reimbursement
Remote within the United States. Periodic travel for meetings, donor engagement, and organizational events is required.
For More Information & To Apply
Sandy Hook Promise has retained Heather Campbell, Partner within ThinkingAhead Executive Search’s Nonprofit Division.
Heather Campbell
Partner, Nonprofit Division
hcampbell@thinkingahead.com
Sandy Hook Promise has retained Heather Campbell, Partner within ThinkingAhead Executive Search’s Nonprofit Division, who will serve as our recruitment partner. If you are interested and qualified, please apply here: https://thinkingahead.com/opportunities/job/437607/
Equal Opportunity Employer
Sandy Hook Promise is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive workplace where individuals of all backgrounds can thrive. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
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