Active Searches DSG Global

Chief Development Officer

  • Company: National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC)
  • Location: Bethesda, Maryland
  • Date Posted:
Share:
PDF Thumbnail Image
Download Position Profile (PDF)

The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) was founded in 1971 to promote efficient, high-quality, comprehensive health care that is accessible, culturally and linguistically competent, community-directed, and patient-centered for all.

The Community Health Center movement was born in the 1960s out of the War on Poverty and the Civil Rights Movement. From their very beginnings, CHCs have been dedicated to addressing the social drivers of health, anti-racism, Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. NACHC shares these same roots. For additional background information on NACHC, visit nachc.org.

NACHC’s Work

  • NACHC serves as the leading national advocacy organization in support of CHCs and the expansion of health care access for the medically underserved and uninsured.
  • Conducts research and analysis that informs both the public and private sectors about the work of health centers, their value to the American health care system and the overall health of the nation’s people and communities – both in terms of costs and health care outcomes.
  • The organization provides training, leadership development, and technical assistance to health center staff and boards to support and strengthen health center operations and governance.
  • Develops alliances and partnerships with the public and private sectors to build stronger and healthier communities and bring greater resources to and investment in community health centers.
  • NACHC also works closely with chartered State and Regional Primary Care Associations (PCAs), Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCNs), and National Training and Technical Assistance Partners (NTTAPs), and other essential 7 P partners (i.e., patients, providers, payers, purchasers, policymakers, producers, and pioneers) across the health system to fulfill their shared health care mission and support the growth and development of community-based health center programs.

NACHC seeks candidates with an entrepreneurial mindset for the newly created role of Chief Development Officer (CDO), signaling the organization’s prioritization of and investment in a strategic development function or department. The CDO reports directly to the Chief Growth and Financial Officer with access to the President and Chief Executive Officer and the entire leadership team. The CDO is responsible for all fundraising efforts and initiatives and at times will need to be a player-coach, an individual who can bring their relationships and skillsets to enhance NACHCs revenues from foundations, corporations, high-net-worth donors, and government agencies. In addition, they will need to be able to mentor people up or out, hire and train a highly functioning team, and can create a long-term development strategy. A core charge of the CDO is to build and lead NACHCs development operations with strategic sophistication and best-practices discipline. The CDO will oversee five staff members of an evolving development team. 

This is a remarkable opportunity for a committed, forward-thinking and experienced leader. In addition to guiding a mission-driven group of talented staff, the CDO will work alongside the Chief Growth and Financial Officer to implement the strategic priorities for NACHC. As a development leader, the CDO will be expected to work with other organizations and business partners throughout the country and should have the ability to travel as well as the intellectual curiosity and capacity to work with, motivate, and manage those of diverse backgrounds and perspectives from around the country.

While NACHC will consider a broad range of backgrounds, the ideal candidate will have the following qualifications/experience:

  • Authentic connection to and passion for the mission and vision of NACHC.
  • Minimum of 15 years of overall fundraising experience with progressive levels of responsibility, including strategic planning. Track record of effective collaboration with internal and external partners to establish the conditions for success. Broad knowledge of all functional areas comprising a multifaceted, comprehensive development program (e.g., individual, institutional, major, planned, digital, and membership or annual giving; special events; development communications; stewardship; fundraising operations) with a preference for specific expertise in institutional giving.
  • Knowledge of and fundamental adherence to the principles, ethics, and best practices of modern fundraising, including the integration of various giving programs to diversify the funding base and cultivate greater donor commitments.
  • Ability to manage, coach, motivate, and evaluate a development team and foster a high-functioning, results-oriented, inclusive workforce. Track record of maintaining best practices, clear goals and metrics, and shared accountability as well as facilitating cross-departmental collaboration when necessary to achieve results. Experience managing budgets and revenue forecasts.
  • Demonstrated success in developing the case for support and strategic, innovative fundraising plans, and executing those plans to grow fundraising and exceed goals. Experience collaborating with executives, senior staff, members, affiliates, and board or other volunteer leaders on development-related activities. Significant experience identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts from individual and institutional donors at the level of six to seven figures or greater.
  • Track record of advancing prospect discovery and engagement at all levels of giving, including both traditional and non-traditional sources of potential support, as well as examination of existing donors that may have greater capacity.
  • Demonstrated ability in planning and executing strategic, integrated marketing and communications in support of development initiatives.
  • Forward thinker with a track record of innovation in constituent engagement and connectivity.
  • Demonstrated ability to integrate data into decision-making and strategy development.
  • Working knowledge of modern data management practices and innovations that can streamline development processes and contribute to the integration of related functions.


The annual base salary for the role is anticipated to range from $270,000 to $325,000, commensurate with experience.

NACHC provides excellent benefits, including the following:

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Employee sponsored and voluntary life insurance
  • Short-term and long-term disability insurance
  • Paid vacation, sick, personal days, and holidays
  • Flexible spending account
  • Voluntary 403(b) account
  • Employer contributions to a 403(b) account (after one year)
  • Financial advisory services


NACHC has retained the DSG Fundraising & Advancement Practice of DSG Global to assist in this confidential search process. Inquiries, nominations, and applications (current resumes and cover letters) may be submitted via the following link or directed to the leader of the search team:

https://talent-profile.dsgco.com/search/v2/22085

Gerard F. Cattie, Jr.
Global Managing Partner and Practice Founder – DSG Fundraising & Advancement
DSG Global
The Chrysler Building, 405 Lexington Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, New York 10174
[email protected] | 212.542.2587