Chief Development Officer

About Atlas Network

Atlas Network strengthens a global network of more than 500 independent think tanks and civil society organizations in over 100 countries. We help our partners advance individual liberty, the rule of law, private property, limited government, and free markets through training, collaboration, grants, and recognition. Our ambition is not simply to grow as an institution, but to help capable local leaders achieve consequential reforms around the world.

The Opportunity

Atlas Network seeks a Chief Development Officer who can do two things exceptionally well: devise a compelling, practical strategy to scale our financial resources and mission impact—and then lead the organization in executing that strategy. This is a senior executive role for a builder, strategist, and fundraiser, not simply a manager of an established development program.

The CDO will partner closely with the CEO, executive leadership, and Board to translate Atlas Network’s distinctive model and record of partner success into a larger, more diversified, and durable base of philanthropic support. Success will require imagination about new audiences and funding opportunities, disciplined execution, and the ability to personally win the confidence of major supporters.

What You Will Lead

Growth strategy and organizational scale

• Develop and own a multiyear revenue-growth strategy, with clear assumptions, priorities, milestones, and measurable results tied to Atlas Network’s ambitions for greater impact.
• Identify opportunities to expand support from major individuals, foundations, and other appropriate funding sources; determine where new capabilities or approaches are needed.
• Articulate a persuasive investment case connecting philanthropic support to tangible progress by Atlas Network’s partners, without overstating attribution or promising outcomes outside our control.
• Work with the CEO and finance leadership to align revenue ambitions, staffing investments, fundraising economics, and organizational capacity.

Fundraising execution and donor leadership

• Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward significant donors and prospective supporters, including complex and transformational gifts.
• Build a disciplined pipeline from prospect identification and initial engagement through cultivation, solicitation, renewal, and increased commitment.
• Lead a high-performing development operation spanning major gifts, foundation relationships, donor acquisition, stewardship, and donor-focused communications.
• Set clear goals and review performance using useful measures such as revenue growth, retention, pipeline conversion, donor acquisition cost, and return on fundraising investment.
• Test promising new approaches, stop ineffective ones, and convert successful experiments into repeatable systems.

Leadership and collaboration

• Recruit, develop, and hold accountable talented development leaders and staff; create a culture of initiative, candor, collaboration, and results.
• Equip the CEO, Board, and other senior leaders to participate effectively in fundraising, with thoughtful prospect strategy and well-defined follow-through.
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications team on acquisition campaigns, donor-facing messages, proposals, and stewardship content. The CDO does not oversee Atlas Network’s broader communications, editorial, brand, events, or program marketing functions.
• Coordinate with Programs to ensure that donor proposals and reporting are grounded in credible partner achievements and strategic opportunities.

What We Are Looking For

• A demonstrated record of materially growing philanthropic revenue or building a successful fundraising enterprise—not merely maintaining an existing donor portfolio.
• The strategic ability to diagnose growth constraints, choose among competing investments, and construct a credible plan for scaling both revenue and mission impact.
• The execution discipline and personal fundraising skill to turn a plan into commitments, stronger systems, and measurable results.
• Significant experience with major donors, foundations, and sophisticated philanthropic relationships; an ability to earn trust with influential supporters.
• Proven ability to build, lead, and improve teams while working effectively with a CEO and governing Board.
• Comfort with financial analysis, CRM systems, pipeline management, and evidence-based performance assessment (Salesforce experience is a plus).
• Intellectual curiosity, humility, sound judgment, and a genuine appreciation for Atlas Network’s mission. Familiarity with our partner network is welcome but not required.

How We Will Define Success

In the first year, the CDO will establish a compelling, evidence-based growth strategy; strengthen the fundraising team and pipeline; build direct relationships with important supporters; and produce visible momentum toward ambitious but realistic revenue goals. Over subsequent years, success will mean sustained growth in diversified philanthropic support, stronger donor relationships, a more effective development organization, and greater capacity for Atlas Network to help its partners achieve meaningful change.

Location

The position is based at Atlas Network’s headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. 

How to Apply

Please send a résumé and cover letter to [email protected] with “Chief Development Officer” in the subject line. In your letter, briefly describe an instance in which you designed and executed a strategy that significantly increased an organization’s revenue or reach. Finalists may be invited to discuss their approach to scaling Atlas Network’s development effort. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. No phone calls, please.

Salary Starting at $200,000