Vice President and Chief Development Officer

We are seeking a Vice President and Chief Development Officer to join our team at Buckner.  As a Vice President and Chief Development Officer you will be responsible for championing a holistic development model that places donor engagement at the center of relationship-building, philanthropic success, and long-term organizational impact.  In this role, the Vice President and Chief Development Officer will provide visionary, integrated leadership and direction that consistently delivers effective, impactful fundraising strategies in support of Buckner’s ministries.

Strategic Leadership & Campaigns:

• Serve as the executive architect for an integrated engagement and development strategy that aligns fundraising (major gifts and annual giving), donor engagement, stewardship, campaigns, and external partnerships with organizational priorities.
• Build and sustain a culture of philanthropy across Buckner, deepening understanding and appreciation for the impact of philanthropy. Inspire a shared commitment in helping leaders, team members, trustees, donors, churches, corporations, and community partners understand the role of philanthropy in advancing the mission.
• Partner with the CEO, executive leadership team, Board of Trustees, and ministry leaders to shape and execute long-term fundraising priorities, annual revenue goals, capital needs, and campaign strategies.
• Lead comprehensive fundraising campaigns, including campaign planning, case development, prospect strategy, volunteer engagement, performance metrics, revenue forecasting, and accountability.
• Provide regular briefings to the CEO and other constituencies on fundraising performance, donor pipeline health, campaign progress, strategic opportunities, and areas of risk.
• Evaluate internal and external factors affecting philanthropy and recommend short-term and long-term development plans that support Buckner’s mission, values, growth priorities, and general objectives.
• Partner with the VP of Communications to advance communication strategies that elevate corporate, church, and community engagement as powerful drivers of successes in engagement, donor relations, annual fund, and stewardship functions. Ensure donor communications are relevant, timely, compelling, and aligned with Buckner’s brand and mission.
• Work with BI, BCFS, and BRS leaders to understand funding priorities, including capital construction, facility maintenance, program expansion, and strategic initiatives.
• Foster and strengthen cross-departmental collaboration across ministries and shared services to reduce silos, align priorities, and support coordinated donor engagement.
• Represent Buckner with key external constituencies, including donors, churches, corporations, foundations, professional organizations, community leaders, and government partners as appropriate.
• Attend Board of Trustee meetings, including committee meetings and ad hoc meetings as required. Participate in and serve on internal and external committees required by the Board of Trustees.

Portfolio Leadership & Donor Strategy:

• Serve as Buckner’s lead fundraising strategist, ensuring effective cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and relationship management practices across all development functions.
• Represent Buckner to local community constituencies, churches, professional organizations and government agencies as directed.
• Maintain and actively manage a focused portfolio of principal-level prospects, working closely with the CEO and executive leadership to secure significant philanthropic commitments.
• Model frontline excellence by closing significant philanthropic commitments in support of top institutional priorities.
• Identify and implement innovative donor strategies for major gifts, principal gifts, planned gifts, campaign gifts, corporate partnerships, church partnerships, foundation support, and annual giving as applicable.
• Strengthen relationships with current donors, past donors, campaign funders, and prospective supporters to increase donor retention, engagement, and lifetime giving.
• Develop a balanced funding mix that supports Buckner’s current and future needs while increasing donor acquisition, donor retention, major gift conversion, and principal gift activity.
• Lead strategies to move qualified mid-level donors into major gift portfolios and create clear pathw