Chief Development Officer, Signal Ohio

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) will be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive, enterprise-wide fundraising strategy that supports Signal Ohio’s mission and expanding network of local newsrooms. Reporting directly to the CEO, the CDO will be responsible to create the fundraising strategy and grow revenue across diverse funding streams, including individual donors, institutional philanthropy, corporate partners, and grants, while building and managing a high-performing development team.

Read on to fully understand what this job requires in terms of skills and experience If you are a good match, make an application.

This position requires a strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial mindset who thrives in a fast-paced environment. As the architect of Signal Ohio’s fundraising operations, the CDO will oversee pipeline development, ranging from small donors to major contributions, while collaborating with the CEO on high-value opportunities. The CDO will ensure alignment between market-specific strategies and organizational goals, fostering seamless coordination across teams.

The CDO will also cultivate a culture of accountability, innovation, and operational excellence within the fundraising team. By integrating best practices and driving continuous improvement, the CDO will position Signal Ohio for sustainable growth and long-term success in its mission to deliver impactful, community-driven journalism.

Must Haves :

• The candidate must have a proven ability to develop and execute transformative, data-driven fundraising strategies that drive sustainable growth, establish diversified revenue streams, and position the organization as a leader in its sector. They must demonstrate an innovative approach to building donor pipelines, cultivating high-value partnerships, and leveraging emerging opportunities to maximize impact
• The candidate must excel in cultivating and maintaining relationships with donors, institutional funders, and corporate sponsors, using tailored strategies to inspire trust, secure lasting partnerships, and ensure sustained engagement
• The candidate must possess a demonstrated track record of recruiting, mentoring, and leading high-performing teams, fostering a collaborative culture of accountability, innovation, and excellence to achieve ambitious organizational objectives
• The candidate must empower teams with clear communication, opportunities for growth, and strategic alignment to shared goals, driving a results-oriented and motivated workforce
• The candidate must have expertise in designing and implementing scalable processes and systems that enhance operational efficiency, streamline workflows, and maximize the impact of fundraising and engagement efforts
• The candidate must serve as a unifying force, aligning internal teams and external stakeholders to execute strategies seamlessly, advance the organization’s mission, and deliver transformative outcomes
• The candidate must demonstrate visionary leadership by anticipating trends, fostering innovation, and prioritizing initiatives that align with the organization’s long-term mission and goals
• The candidate must thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments, demonstrating adaptability, resilience, and creative problem-solving to navigate challenges and seize opportunities
• The candidate must possess exceptional decision-making and interpersonal skills, balancing data-driven insights with strong communication to build trust-based relationships and consistently deliver results under pressure

Who We Are

Signal Ohio is one of the largest and fastest-growing nonprofit local news organizations in the country. Dedicated to revitalizing community journalism, Signal Ohio operates as a nonprofit network of independent, community-led newsrooms. Backed by a coalition of Ohio organizations, community leaders, and the American Journalism Project, we are committed to ensuring every Ohio resident has access to the reliable, high-quality local news they need. Signal Ohio is a rapidly expanding organization that has established newsrooms in Cleveland and Akron, a Statehouse News Bureau, and is in the initial stages of launching a newsroom in Cincinnati, with plans for continued growth. Governed by a board representative of Ohio’s diverse communities, Signal Ohio operates as an independent 501(c)(3) entity, ensuring editorial independence while advancing its mission to empower communities and strengthen democracy.

What We Do – Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide high-quality, accountable journalism that reflects and serves all Ohio communities. With newsrooms in Cleveland, Akron, plus Signal Statewide − our Statehouse bureau − we produce and distribute community reporting that is free to access and available for republishing. Our journalism equips residents to be more civically engaged in the places where they live, fostering informed communities and a healthier democracy.

There is a path forward

Signal Ohio is replenishing local news resources in Ohio with a new model. In just over two years of operation, we have…

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