Chief Development Officer (CDO)

Position: Chief Development Officer

Location: On-Site – Middle East Institute, Washing DC

Salary Range: $250,000 - $280,000

Important Note: This position is strictly for experienced major gifts professionals. Candidates must have at least 10 years of major gifts fundraising experience. Backgrounds primarily in business development, sales, or consulting will not be considered. The role is in-person, five days per week, based out of our Washington, DC, Headquarters.

About the Middle East Institute

The Middle East Institute (MEI) is a Washington-based, nonpartisan institution dedicated to the study of the Middle East. MEI advances the US-Middle East relationship through policy analysis, education, and arts and cultural programming. Its experts, programs, and partnerships connect government, the private sector, civil society, and the public to deepen understanding and support practical solutions to issues affecting the region.

Position Summary

The Chief Development Officer will design and lead a comprehensive development function that strengthens MEI's long-term financial sustainability. Working closely with the Board of Governors and senior leadership, the Chief Development Officer will establish an organization-wide fundraising strategy, diversify revenue sources, expand relationships with donors and institutional partners, and build a high-performing development team.

This role requires an experienced strategist and hands-on builder who can strengthen existing relationships while engaging new audiences and sources of support. The Chief Development Officer will also promote a culture of stewardship and shared accountability for fundraising throughout the Institute.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive development strategy aligned with MEI's mission, priorities, and long-term financial needs.
• Partner with the Board of Governors and senior leadership to establish fundraising priorities, strengthen board engagement, and institutionalize development practices across the organization.
• Create and execute plans to diversify funding sources and develop sustainable revenue models.
• Lead organization-wide fundraising efforts and coordinate staff, board members, experts, and other stakeholders in support of established fundraising goals.
• Build, lead, and develop the development team, including setting priorities, clarifying responsibilities, and establishing standards for performance and accountability.
• Design and lead major-gift campaigns, with particular attention to individuals, corporations, foundations, and organizations whose interests align with MEI's mission and programs.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and institutional partners in the United States and the Middle East.
• Expand MEI's donor base by identifying and engaging new audiences, prospective funders, and strategic partners.
• Develop fundraising communications and case materials that clearly explain MEI's mission, programs, impact, and funding priorities.
• Oversee the identification and pursuit of relevant government and foundation grant opportunities, including grant preparation and submission.
• Establish annual and long-term fundraising plans, goals, performance measures, and reporting practices that allow leadership and the board to evaluate progress.
• Embed consistent donor stewardship practices throughout the Institute and strengthen coordination among development, program, communications, and leadership teams.
• Represent MEI in meetings with donors, prospects, foundations, corporations, government representatives, and other external stakeholders.
• Travel as needed, including internationally, to cultivate and steward relationships with current and prospective supporters.

Required Qualifications

• Must have at least ten (10) years of major gifts fundraising experience.
• Senior-level development or advancement experience, including responsibility for fundraising strategy, donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Demonstrated success designing and leading major-gift campaigns or comparable fundraising initiatives.
• Experience building, leading, and developing a comprehensive development function and team.
• Experience partnering with boards and senior leaders to advance fundraising goals and engage significant direct and indirect contributors.
• Proven ability to cultivate and secure support from corporations, foundations, prominent individuals, and mission-aligned organizations.
• Experience developing sophisticated fundraising communications and cases for support.
• Working knowledge of grant development and application processes for government and foundation opportunities.
• Ability to establish measurable goals, monitor performance, and communicate progress to executive and board-level stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of the Middle East and willingness to travel and engage with potential donors and funders in the region.
• Strong written, verbal, relationship-building, and presentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of a foreign language that is relevant to MEI's work.
• Professional, academic, travel, or living experience in the Middle East.
• Fundraising experience within a policy, education, cultural, international affairs, or other mission-driven organization.

Leadership Competencies

• Builder's mindset with the initiative to create systems, strengthen capabilities, and move strategy into action.
• Strategic judgment and intellectual curiosity.
• Diplomacy, discretion, and the ability to build trust with varied internal and external stakeholders.
• Confidence balanced with humility and a willingness to listen, learn, and collaborate.
• Resourceful, solutions-oriented approach and a strong bias for action.
• Commitment to MEI's mission and to the responsible stewardship of donor relationships and institutional resources.

Benefits Package Includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Paid holidays, plus vacation and sick leave