About Upwardly Global
Over the last two decades, Upwardly Global has supported thousands of immigrant and refugee professionals in transitioning from poverty or exclusion to quality, thriving-wage careers through its customized coaching program and comprehensive approach to integrating skilled immigrants into the U.S. job market. Upwardly Global is a data-driven, innovative organization with a bold vision and a fearless spirit operating out of four major US markets (NYC, DC, Chicago, and San Francisco), and providing remote services to several parts of the country. It is unwavering in its commitment to a diverse and inclusive culture where every voice matters.
Learn more about Upwardly Global at https://www.upwardlyglobal.org/.
The Opportunity
Upwardly Global is seeking an ambitious, proactive Chief Development Officer who is accomplished, bold, and deeply mission-driven. The Chief Development Officer (CDO) will have a proven track record in development and fundraising with the ability to independently create opportunities, drive revenue growth, and build and inspire high-performing teams. The CDO will be excited about joining a rapidly growing, dynamic organization and mission-driven colleagues to identify and pursue new sources of revenue, build on the recent transformational gift from philanthropist McKenzie Scott, and inspire new donors and supporters with Upwardly Global’s critical mission and track record of impact.
Reporting to the CEO, key responsibilities include directly supervising a team of five across individual and institutional giving, managing, growing, and diversifying Upwardly Global’s revenue base, driving revenue generation through the effective management of sales channels, pricing optimization, and product development. Additionally, the role involves operational problem-solving to ensure continuous growth and financial stability.
This is an ideal role for a superb fundraiser, entrepreneurial leader, a strong public speaker, and a dynamic and adaptive thinker who is passionate about dismantling employment barriers for work-authorized immigrants, refugees, and asylees by helping them secure thriving-wage jobs and promoting their inclusion in the U.S. workforce.
At Upwardly Global, the CDO will be part of a data-driven, innovative organization with a bold vision and a fearless spirit; one that supports diverse voices and offers a collaborative environment where there is real impact.
Key responsibilities for the CDO include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Provide leadership to the development team, setting goals and objectives and providing coaching and support.
- Establish and maintain relationships with key donors, constituents, and partners.
- Monitor industry trends and best practices to ensure Upwardly Global’s fundraising efforts are competitive, innovative, and reflective of the needs.
- Provide guidance and support to fundraising staff members and foster a culture that is rooted in donor relations, donor services, and overall collaboration as a cohesive unit.
- Act as a frontline fundraiser as well as organizational strategist, holding their own portfolio while also guiding the team.
- Explore innovative ways to secure funding and organize events, as well as pivot strategies during challenging environments to ensure fundraising goals are met.
- Contribute to organizational impact and strategy as well as ongoing efforts to establish Upwardly Global as a leading brand in the social impact space.
- Ensure strong departmental systems and processes are in place to support quality donor management, stewardship, and best in class fundraising practices.
- Oversee the strategy and outcomes of high-impact and inspiring community experiences, including the annual gala and other online or in-person events.
- Partner with the CEO to identify opportunities to represent the organization at networking events, conferences, and other relevant gatherings to amplify Upwardly Global’s presence and profile.
- Drive visibility and recognition through collaboration with marketing and communications.
- Partner with the Board of Directors to identify, cultivate and solicit prospective donors and key relationships in their network; work with the CEO to identify, recruit, orient, and evaluate prospective board members; provide updates and information to the board as needed.
Candidate Profile
Strong candidates will bring a clear track record of development success, experience leading teams, and achieving ambitious goals, and a desire to be part of a highly mission-driven organizational culture. They will be true "rainmakers," adept at identifying new opportunities, representing the organization in new arenas, and successfully closing high-value donors, partnerships, and investments.
We recognize that there is a spectrum of lived and professional experiences that will set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, the ideal candidate will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
Fundraising & Development Expertise
A natural thought partner, the CDO will have a demonstrated ability to build transformational relationships for sustainable revenue and impact. The CDO will be someone who has a relational approach to fundraising and thrives outside of a traditional office routine, eager to actively seek opportunities to drive initiatives forward, and approach challenges with energy, purpose, and joy. A highly adept and fluent communicator and public speaker, the CDO will steward individual and institutional donors and nurture and develop corporate partners. The CDO will be an inspirational leader who will inspire and partner with the CEO and Board members on major fundraising initiatives and proactively open new doors to new sources of major gifts and funding opportunities. While developing strategies that will continue to grow and diversify the funding base of support and opportunities for revenue growth and corporate partnerships, the CDO will effectively communicate Upwardly Global’s philanthropic value proposition.
Strategic Leader
The CDO will have a proven record of converting strategy into effective execution. This leader will be results-oriented with the ability to elicit, understand, and synthesize complex information and translate that information into a case for support that motivates constituents to give. The CDO will develop and motivate a stellar development team to creatively envision ways of engaging potential constituents. To help support sustainable revenue, the CDO will leverage thought leadership and marketing and communication assets. The CDO will embrace principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in all aspects of their work.
Relationship Builder and Collaborator
A person who leads with curiosity, respect for various viewpoints, and a strong appreciation for a multi-cultural environment, the CDO will co-create an inclusive, safe, and transparent organizational culture. They will nurture a trusting work environment that supports innovation within the development team and cross-functionally. Critical to success in this role, the CDO will be skilled at building and sustaining excellent relationships across all levels of the organization by taking a deliberate and inclusive approach to both internal and external collaboration. The CDO will bring a compassionate and empathetic approach to their leadership, with a focus on fostering collaboration and building community. This leader will nurture a culture of trust among team members, where all voices are heard and valued, and will possess the ability to manage through change with flexibility and poise. The CDO will be a leader known for honesty, transparency, strong diplomacy, and for being an engaged and active listener.
Passion for the Mission
The CDO will have a passion for the mission of Upwardly Global. They will embrace the core values of the organization and its commitment dismantling employment barriers for work-authorized immigrants, refugees, and asylees. The CDO will thrive in an entrepreneurial, fast-paced, analytical, and innovative culture. This leader will be energized by working in multi-cultural and multi-lingual environment while continually innovating to help expand the reach of Upwardly Global. The CDO will have a collaborative spirit and will be an empathic leader, treating others with respect at all times. This leader will be an individual of unquestioned integrity, ethics, and values; someone who can be trusted without reservation.
In addition, strong candidates will offer:
- 15+ years of professional development/fundraising/marketing experience in a nonprofit organization with demonstrated success in a multi-site regional or national nonprofit and with diverse revenue streams and experience raising at least 6-figure multi-year gifts.
- Demonstrated ability to be an inspiring and visionary leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives across a diversified portfolio.
- Experience creating robust development plans with multiple revenue streams and differentiated strategies to balance and grow a diversified portfolio of funding.
- Experience with impact investing and earned revenue models is a plus.
- Flexible and adaptable style; comfort with risk-taking and ambiguity.
- High energy and passion for Upwardly Global’s mission is essential, ideally with deep connection to the lived experience of the populations served.
- A strong commitment to social justice issues and supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in the workplace is required.
- Significant expertise with individual major donors is preferred.
- Background in donor communications and donor marketing is a plus.
Compensation & Benefits
This is a full-time position. The salary range is $210,000 - $245,000, with a generous benefits package. This is remote or hybrid role, depending on location, with regular in-person team connections. There is a strong preference for the CDO to be located in NYC or San Francisco. Upwardly Global provides opportunities for professional growth, a commitment to work-life balance, and a culture that values inclusion, belonging, and psychological safety. They are deeply committed to building a workplace where inclusion is not only valued, but prioritized. They are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer, seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment.
Contact
Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Molly Brennan, Sarah Avendaño, and Glenn Wiggins Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.
Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
Upwardly Global is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.
About Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group
Koya Partners, a Diversified Search Group company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
Diversified Search Group is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.
Learn more about Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group via the firm's website.