Chief Development Officer

Description

Locations:

Air & Space Museum - 7711 E Academy Blvd, Denver CO, 80230 (primary)

Exploration of Flight - 13005 Wings Way, Englewood CO, 80112

Status & Classification:    Regular | Full-Time | Exempt

Salary:    $90,500 ~ $115,500/year (depending on experience) 

Work Schedule:    Monday ~ Friday* | 5 days/week*

*This position must accommodate a flexible work schedule including weekends, evenings, special events, and overnight/out-of-town travel.

Benefits

• Employer-paid Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life/AD&D
• $600 annual Health Savings Account (HSA) employer contribution for eligible medical plans
• Voluntary STD, LTD, Life Insurance/AD&D, Accident, Critical Illness, and Legal/Identity protection plans available
• Optional Flexible Spending (FSA) and Dependent Care (DCA) accounts
• Generous vacation benefit
• Paid personal time and sick leave
• 403(b) group retirement plan participation with employer match
• Potential for annual bonuses, merit pay increases, professional development, and career advancement
• Wings Museum membership, 25% gift shop discount, and other employee perks

Application window:    the deadline to submit applications is Sunday July 13th, 2025

Summary

Wings Over the Rockies seeks an experienced, strategic, and visionary Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead all aspects of fundraising and advancement strategy that support both of Wings’ campuses. The CDO will oversee a comprehensive development program, including individual and institutional giving, major gifts, capital campaigns, annual fund, membership, grants, event sales, special events, and planned giving. Reporting directly to the President & CEO and serving as a key member of the President’s Cabinet, the Chief Development Officer will drive contributed revenue growth and philanthropic engagement to support Wings’ mission and ambitious plans for the future. The CDO oversees Wings Over the Rockies' Development and Corporate Events departments.

Organization
Founded in 1994 on the former Lowry Air Force Base in east Denver's historic Lowry Field neighborhood, Wings Over the Rockies is a non-profit community organization dedicated to unlocking dreams of flight through exhibits, local events, and educational programming. We are Colorado’s official Air & Space Museum having been recognized by CNN Travel as one of their 20 Best aviation museums in the world. Each year we welcome over 160,000 visitors representing all 50 states and dozens of countries internationally. Wings is committed to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The Museum boasts more than 100,000 sq. ft. of open hangar space full of iconic aircraft, space vehicles, historical artifacts, and more. Visitors can experience thrilling flight simulators, discover educational programs, and participate in one of our many exciting Museum-sponsored events.

Exploration of Flight (EoF) is our flight-focused educational extension. This 15-acre campus is located at the Centennial Airport where we offer showcase events with a variety of aircraft, aviation immersion programs, pilot ground training, and flight experiences. EoF is home to our Blue Sky Gallery exhibit and interactive aviation center featuring an airworthy fleet of civilian and military aircraft.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Please Note – this list is not all inclusive but intended to be a general outline of the essential duties for this position.

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the President & CEO and leadership team
• Lead the planning and execution of a multi-year comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with institutional goals
• Inspire a culture of philanthropy across the organization, including board, staff, and community stakeholders
• Lead and mentor a development team, including direct reports responsible for membership, major giving, annual fund, and corporate relations
• Serve as the staff lead for the Development Committee of the Board of Directors and work closely with board members to expand fundraising capacity

Fundraising & Development

• Lead all aspects of Wings’ fundraising portfolio
• Manage a personal portfolio of major donors and prospects, building and stewarding strong, lasting relationships
• Oversee and grow revenue from individual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation support, planned giving, and government funding
• Provide direction and oversight for grant applications and reporting, particularly related to SCFD and other key funders
• Strengthen donor stewardship programs to enhance lifetime engagement and giving
• Ensure accurate donor tracking, moves management, and reporting via CRM systems

Events, Event Sales & Campaigns

• Oversee the strategy and execution of all fundraising events, including Wings’ annual gala and cultivation events
• Provide executive leadership and strategic alignment for corporate and private event rentals, including oversight of event sales, pricing strategies, and vendor partnerships to maximize revenue
• Ensure events serve as effective platforms for brand visibility, revenue generation, donor stewardship, and community engagement
• Lead and support capital and special campaigns from feasibility through implementation and stewardship

Membership & Community Engagement

• Guide the continued growth and relevance of the membership program, ensuring it serves as both a revenue stream and engagement tool
• Partner with the marketing and visitor services teams to maximize visibility, outreach, and retention
• Represent Wings in the community, cultivating strategic partnerships with corporate, nonprofit, government, and academic partners

Working Conditions

The Air & Space Museum operates in an 80-year-old aircraft hangar. Exploration of Flight is located at a busy regional airport. Environmental conditions may vary.

If you are an individual with a disability, you may request reasonable accommodations if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting our HR Department at 303-360-5360 for assistance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE credential preferred
• Minimum 10+ years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience, including at least 4 years in a senior leadership role
• Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising, capital campaigns, and board engagement
• Proven ability to secure 5-, 6- and 7-figure gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations
• Experience overseeing event-based revenue streams, including fundraising events and earned income from event rentals
• Expertise in CRM/database management; experience with Blackbaud products highly desirable
• Outstanding written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and access in philanthropy
• Experience working in or with museums, cultural institutions, or STEAM/aviation sectors preferred