Application Deadline: We will accept applications on a rolling basis

Reports to: CEO, Sixto Cancel

Location: HYBRID - remote and Washington, DC office

Category: Full Time, Exempt

About Think of Us

Think of Us (TOU) is transforming the child welfare system into one where young people and families can heal, develop, and thrive. We drive purpose-driven work aligned with meaningful systems change, powered by data and the insights of lived experience. Our focus is on prevention, keeping families strong before crisis, and on building kinship-first systems so children grow up with people they know and trust. Through bold collaborations with leaders and innovators across the public and private sectors — from Presidential Administrations to local providers — we identify leverage points and co-create solutions that re-architect child welfare for the future.

Here’s what this looks like:

• Built the Lived Experience Engine into the largest dataset of its kind (51,000+ voices), powering AI tools and shaping reforms
• Partnered with California to launch the Kinship Accelerator in 8 counties, backed by $150M and a budget increase from $317M → $896M
• Co-drive (in partnership)Drove a national kin-first shift: 39 states (plus 5 tribes) adopting kinship standards, unlocking $3B for families
• Operate one of the largest direct resource networks, connecting 1,827 families to $28M+ in support

Our team members share a commitment to driving systems change through creative problem-solving, obsessive curiosity, and a love of quickly driving innovative, measurable, and impactful results.

Position Overview

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) will play a pivotal role in advancing Think of Us’ mission to drive systems-level change in child welfare. As a key member of the executive team and a close partner to the Founder & CEO, the CDO will be responsible for designing, testing, and executing a bold, integrated revenue strategy that fuels this vision, with executive-level oversight of policy, external partnerships, and strategic communications.

The ideal candidate is a strategic, entrepreneurial, and tech-savvy leader who understands the nuances of social sector funding and thrives on cross-sector engagement. They are comfortable in an adaptive, impact-driven environment where rapid iteration, real-time decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration are the norm.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Provide executive leadership of TOU’s development function, taking the reins to build a development operation, team, and the practices required to sustain the organization’s mission over the long term.
• Design and integrate development strategy into the organization’s overall strategic priorities, ensuring revenue generation, donor stewardship, and external affairs reinforce one another.
• Develop and execute external affairs strategies that align with the organization's mission and goals, including overseeing government relations, public policy, communications, and fundraising efforts.

Fundraising and Development:

• Design and lead a multi-year revenue strategy that fuels our mission to drive systems change, ensuring alignment with our strategic plan, growth trajectory, and long-term financial sustainability.
• Determine and optimize the mix of revenue sources to support scalable, mission-aligned growth.
• Design and test innovative revenue models that expand TOU’s sustainable revenue base and scale systems-change initiatives.

Policy and Advocacy:

• Stay attuned to political, social, and funding trends to guide TOU’s positioning and long-term sustainability.

• Represent TOU in high-profile forums and with key stakeholders, as a senior spokesperson, and ensure the organization’s priorities are amplified and supported by decision-makers and key influential stakeholders.
• Partner with TOU leadership, staff and policy experts to advance TOU’s federal and state policy agenda, influencing lawmakers, federal agencies, and national stakeholders to drive meaningful child welfare reform.

Communications and Public Relations:

• Develop and execute a multi-year strategic communications plan.
• Oversee media relations, digital presence, and integrated campaigns to shape and lead national conversations on child welfare reform.

About You

We recognize that candidates may not meet every listed qualification. Research shows that individuals from underrepresented groups are more likely to opt out of applying if they don’t meet 100% of the criteria. If you believe you meet many of the criteria and can succeed in this role, we encourage you to apply — we want to learn about your unique strengths and experiences.

Qualifications:

• Strategic Thinker: Anticipates and prepares for future events and outcomes; considers the long-term impact of revenue strategies and organizational growth decisions.
  
  
• Collaborative: Partners with others to realize better results; engages across internal teams and external sectors to align fundraising with mission impact.
  
  
• Networking Skills: Builds and maintains relationships and alliances; forms and leverages cross-sector connections with funders, public agencies, and partners.
  
  
• Handles Ambiguity: Deals confidently with unclear or changing situations; makes sound decisions amid shifting funding landscapes and evolving priorities.
  
  
• Judgement: Forms sound opinions and makes solid decisions; evaluates funding opportunities with discernment and strategic alignment.
  
  
• Communicates effectively: Expresses complex ideas clearly and with impact; tailors messages to different audiences and uses communication to engage, inspire, and inform.
  
  
• Develops Others: Coaches or instructs others to improve performance; builds and leads a development team with a focus on growth and mission alignment.

Required Experience

• 15+ years of progressive experience in development, external affairs, or related fields, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role driving multi-channel fundraising and external affairs strategies in mission-driven organizations.
• Deep understanding of the philanthropic and public funding landscapes, particularly related to social change, child welfare, or adjacent sectors.
• Experience leading and mentoring high-performing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Proven ability to develop and execute integrated external affairs strategies that advance policy, grow networks, and strengthen brand visibility.

Preferred Experience:

• Familiarity with or direct experience in the child welfare sector, youth development, or broader social systems change work.
• Strong understanding of earned income strategies or social enterprise models as part of a diversified revenue portfolio.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate cross-sector partnerships, including collaborations with philanthropic, governmental, and corporate entities.
• Track record of leveraging communications and advocacy efforts to strengthen fundraising outcomes and public engagement.

Physical Demands and Working Environment:

The bullet points below represent the physical demands and working environment that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential job functions.

• Standard / Remote office setting; proximity to office equipment that includes electronic devices
• May need to be at a workstation for 50% of the time; will need to use equipment that includes electronic devices.
• Perceive and interact with text, media, and people;
• Communicate and accurately exchange information with text, media, and people

Travel

• This position may require periodic travel up to approximately 25% of the time.

Working Hours (when applicable)

• We are seeking candidates for a position that may require irregular hours as part of the job's responsibilities. Our organization values work-life balance and strives to accommodate the diverse needs of our employees. Although the standard work schedule may not always be applicable, we are committed to fostering a flexible and supportive work environment.
• The nature of this role may involve occasional evening or weekend work, with the understanding that time off or schedule adjustments can be made to ensure overall work-life harmony. Maintaining a healthy balance between professional and personal commitments is essential for our team's well-being and productivity.
• We encourage open communication and collaboration, allowing for a mutual understanding of scheduling needs and commitments. If you thrive in an environment that offers flexibility and understands the importance of work-life balance, we invite you to apply and contribute to our dynamic team.

Compensation & Benefits

At TOU, we believe that taking care of our people is foundational to the impact we aim to make. Our compensation philosophy is rooted in transparency and a holistic understanding of people’s needs. We believe fair, market-competitive pay is essential to attracting and retaining the exceptional talent needed to achieve our ambitious goals. As a not-for-profit organization, we design our compensation packages—including both salary and benefits—with care and in alignment with our financial sustainability.

The annual salary for this role is $200,000–$250,000. Starting salaries for new hires will be determined based on a combination of the new hire’s relevant experience and market demands.

TOU’S benefits go beyond the basics. They’re designed to support your well-being, growth, and sense of purpose at work and beyond. From comprehensive health coverage to professional development support and meaningful time off, our benefits reflect our commitment to nurturing a workplace where people can thrive, both personally and professionally.

Health & Insurance

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees; 50% for dependents.
• Access to Talkspace for confidential therapy and mental health support.
• Short-Term Disability, Life, and AD&D Insurance included.
• Optional Long-Term Disability and Supplemental Life Insurance.
• Health Care and Dependent Care FSAs available.

Financial Benefits

• 401(k) Plan for pre-tax retirement contributions.
• Work-from-home setup stipend to optimize your workspace.

Paid Time Off

• Flexible PTO policy, plus sick leave and paid leaves of absence.
• 8 company holidays, plus three organization-wide seasonal breaks.

Learning & Development

• $1,500 annual stipend per employee.
• Regular organization-wide learning sessions on relevant and reflective topics.

Application Instructions

As part of your application, please submit a resume outlining your skills and experiences relevant to this role.

We are accepting applications on a rolling basis, and only complete applications will be considered. Please note: We do not accept phone inquiries about this position in order to ensure a fair and consistent hiring process for all applicants.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Think of Us is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and value applicants of all backgrounds, knowing that diverse perspectives strengthen our work with children, youth, and families. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and for applicants’ religious practices as required by law.