Chief Development Officer, Les Turner ALS Foundation
About the position Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Development Officer (CDO) is the strategic leader and driver of the Foundation’s next phase of philanthropic growth. This role offers the opportunity to leverage strong momentum and lead a modern, integrated fundraising program that expands revenue, deepens donor engagement, and elevates the organization’s national profile. As a lean, high-impact organization, the Foundation requires a CDO who operates seamlessly at both strategic and execution levels. The CDO will set vision and direction while also leading day-to-day fundraising activity—personally managing key relationships, advancing solicitations, and ensuring consistent execution across all development functions. The CDO will design and execute a multi-year development strategy spanning major gifts, annual giving, institutional funding, and events, building a disciplined, metrics-driven fundraising culture. In close partnership with the CEO and Board, the CDO will strengthen and expand the major gifts program, with a focus on securing transformational support. Experience in academic medicine, research, or similarly complex nonprofit environments is strongly preferred. As a member of the leadership team, the CDO will align fundraising with organizational priorities and collaborate across functions and with partners at Northwestern University. The role includes oversight of a lean development team and external partners, with responsibility for deploying resources effectively and maximizing impact. This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role with significant opportunity to shape the Foundation’s future growth and impact. The CDO will maintain a personal portfolio of high-capacity donors, lead complex solicitations, drive moves management with rigor, and guide board engagement in fundraising. They will also oversee development operations, ensuring strong systems, compliance, and performance accountability. The ideal candidate will be energized by the opportunity to translate urgency into action – mobilizing resources, relationships, and strategy to accelerate progress toward a world free of ALS. Responsibilities • Design and execute a multi-year development strategy spanning major gifts, annual giving, institutional funding, and events, building a disciplined, metrics-driven fundraising culture. • Strengthen and expand the major gifts program, with a focus on securing transformational support. • Align fundraising with organizational priorities and collaborate across functions and with partners at Northwestern University. • Oversee a lean development team and external partners, with responsibility for deploying resources effectively and maximizing impact. • Maintain a personal portfolio of high-capacity donors, lead complex solicitations, drive moves management with rigor, and guide board engagement in fundraising. • Oversee development operations, ensuring strong systems, compliance, and performance accountability. Requirements • A minimum of 10 years of fundraising experience or equivalent relevant experience is required. • BA/BS degree or equivalent is required. • Computer proficiency is required. Nice-to-haves • Experience in academic medicine, research, or similarly complex nonprofit environments is strongly preferred. • Evidence of continuing professional education is ideal. Benefits • comprehensive benefits including 401(k) with match • professional development • healthcare allowance • hybrid work schedule • paid time off