Chief Development Officer
Greenwich Historical Society is seeking a dynamic, highly accomplished, and collaborative Chief Development Officer (CDO) to join our senior management team. Operating as a nationally accredited museum, historic site, library, and archives, our mission is to preserve, share and celebrate Greenwich history.
The CDO establishes and oversees the Historical Society’s fundraising and membership
strategies, continually reviewing institutional priorities against goals, work plans, and budgets.
Reporting directly to the Executive Director and CEO, the CDO works closely with the Board,
development committees, and staff while serving as a prominent representative to the broader
Greenwich community.
The CDO will enter the Historical Society at a pivotal time of additional growth and opportunity. GHS is wrapping up an endowment and programming campaign of $7.5 million as it prepares to enter the silent phase of a larger Centennial Campaign to ensure GHS’s sound and thriving future. The CDO will have the opportunity to close the current campaign while playing a vital role in the strategic planning for the future campaign.
Founded in 1931 as an organization devoted to collecting and sharing the Town’s history,
Greenwich Historical Society has grown into a nearly 3-acre campus with nationally significant historic buildings, a new 10,000 sq. ft. facility with museum, library, and visitor center, and a multi-faceted range of programs and activities. Located on the historic Cos Cob Harbor, home of Connecticut’s first art colony, the Historical Society has two main areas of focus: as a museum (galleries, Bush-Holley House, education center) with related exhibitions and education programs for children and adults, and as a center for Greenwich history (library and archives, preservation and publication programs).
Key Responsibilities
Fundraising Strategy & Execution
- Lead a robust fundraising program across individual, corporate, foundation, and
- government giving.
- Develop strategies for major funding initiatives, including upcoming capital campaigns.
- Drive calculated growth in the annual fund, major gifts, membership, and planned giving.
- Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors to expand revenue streams.
- Lead fundraising event strategy and committees in collaboration with the Director of
Special Events.
Board Partnership & Institutional Giving
- Motivate and support the Board of Trustees in its development role.
- Expand and coordinate Trustee participation in fundraising and donor stewardship.
- Collaborate with staff to identify grants and oversee proposal drafting.
- Partner with the Director of Finance and Operations on grant compliance and
administration.
Department Leadership & Operations
- Oversee and direct the work of a full-time Development Associate and consultants/interns
- as needed; maintain the integrity of the Raiser’s Edge development and membership
- database.
- Collaborate with Education, Preservation, Collections, and Facilities teams to build
mission-based funding proposals. - Foster strong internal communication and collaboration across all departments.
- Represent the Historical Society publicly to strengthen donor and community
relationships, corporate sponsorships, and strategic partnerships. - Partner with executive leadership to develop, track, and monitor annual fundraising goals
and expenses.
Qualifications & Experience
- B.A. or B.S. degree required; advanced studies preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible development experience, preferably in a
museum, art, or cultural institution. - Strong written and oral communication skills with demonstrated diplomacy and
confidentiality required. - Proven track record of securing major gifts, donor cultivation, and solicitation.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, and Raiser’s Edge/similar CRM.
Interested candidates should submit a resume and a cover letter detailing their fundraising achievements to Carol Cadou at [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
