Job Title: Chief Development Officer (CDO)

Organization: Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA)

Location: Remote

Reports To: President and CEO

Employment Type: Full-Time, $90,000 -$120,000

__

Position Overview

Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) seeks an experienced and visionary Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead and implement an ambitious 5-year strategic plan to expand turtle conservation efforts worldwide. This senior leadership role will drive growth in philanthropic support, enhance global partnerships, and elevate TSA’s mission to conserve turtle and tortoise species and their habitats. The CDO will shape and execute a sustainable development strategy, engage diverse donor communities, and build TSA’s capacity to address urgent conservation needs on a global scale.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership
Develop and execute a comprehensive 5-year development strategy in response to TSA’s new strategic plan to significantly increase TSA’s revenue and impact.
Partner with the Board of Directors, CEO, and Senior Leadership Team to align development goals with TSA’s global conservation objectives.
Oversee the creation of fundraising policies, procedures, and best practices that enhance transparency, accountability, and effectiveness.
Lead efforts to double TSA fundraising capacity by 2030.
Fundraising and Donor Engagement
Lead development of a capital campaign plan for the Turtle Survival Center – a global research, education, and turtle conservation facility.
Build and strengthen TSA’s individual, corporate, and foundation donor base, focusing on major gifts, planned giving, institutional grants, and annual campaigns.
Foster relationships with major donors, board members, conservation advocates, and other key stakeholders to secure transformational gifts and multi-year commitments.
Develop a compelling case for support, communicating TSA’s conservation impact and vision to inspire donors worldwide.
Partnership and Program Development
Collaborate with the Program team to identify new opportunities for partnership with international conservation organizations, zoos, aquariums, and government agencies.
Design and implement donor and partnership engagement programs that align with TSA’s mission and extend our reach and resources in priority regions.
Lead the creation of high-impact sponsorship opportunities to engage corporate and institutional supporters.
Team Leadership and Development
Lead a team of seven (7) Development staff.
Recruit, mentor, and manage a high-performing Development team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
Implement professional development initiatives to build the team’s fundraising skills and support the achievement of TSA’s strategic objectives.
Establish a portfolio management system to optimize team productivity, track progress, and meet revenue goals.
Communications and Public Relations
Collaborate with the Communications team to create and disseminate powerful storytelling content that raises TSA’s profile and engages the public in our mission.
Represent TSA as a spokesperson at events, conferences, and with media outlets, building awareness and credibility as a conservation leader.
Design and implement strategic marketing and public relations campaigns that elevate TSA’s brand and position it as a leading voice in global turtle conservation.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
Experience: Minimum of 20 years of progressively responsible experience in development or nonprofit management with a track record of success in scaling an organization. Previous experience with capital campaigns and in conservation or environmental organizations is highly desirable.
Leadership: Proven experience building and leading high-performing teams, with excellent skills in coaching, goal-setting, and employee development.
Strategic Thinker: Demonstrated success in developing and executing complex fundraising strategies aligned with organizational growth goals. Strong experience with Salesforce or similar CRM is highly preferred.
Relationship Builder: Strong ability to cultivate relationships with high-net-worth individuals, institutional donors, and partners across diverse sectors and geographies. Frequent domestic and international travel required to develop and foster relationships with team members, donors, and partners.
Communication Skills: Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire a wide range of audiences.
Commitment to Conservation: A passion for conservation and an understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the field.

Goals And Objectives

Revenue Growth: Increase TSA’s philanthropic revenue by [specific percentage/amount] annually to meet 5-year strategic targets.
Global Reach: Establish new partnerships and funding channels to expand TSA’s international presence and impact.
Sustainable Development: Achieve a balanced portfolio of funding sources to ensure long-term organizational sustainability.
Team Expansion: Build and strengthen the Development team to support TSA’s growth and achieve collective fundraising goals.

Benefits

In addition to the above-stated compensation, Turtle Survival Alliance offers an individual retirement account with a 3% employee match, medical, dental, and vision insurance (up to $600 employer contribution per month), as well as employer paid life insurance, paid time off, and sick leave. The Alliance also offers a remote office stipend as well as ongoing professional development.

About Us

The Turtle Survival Alliance is a 501(c)(3) and protects and restores wild populations of tortoises and freshwater turtles through science-based conservation, global leadership, and local stewardship. Formed in 2001, Turtle Survival Alliance is a global conservation organization based in Charleston, South Carolina that works to create a planet where tortoises and freshwater turtles can thrive in the wild. With strategic, science-based initiatives directed by local leaders, our work creates lasting impact and capacity where it matters most and inspires long-term community-based stewardship to prevent extinction. Where populations cannot yet succeed in the wild, our breeding programs ensure their future survival. Because turtles are ancient, remarkable creatures—and to save them, we all play a role.

Turtle Survival Alliance does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Turtle Survival Alliance

Latest Jobs

Chief Development Officer