At Make-A-Wish® America, we are more than a great place to work — our work is life-changing. Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Nearly 40 years ago the inspiration for Make-A-Wish began with one little boy's wish to be a police officer. Today, together with our volunteers, donors, staff and supporters, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 500,000 life-changing wishes and transformed countless lives.
Key Responsibilities
The Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), working with the President & CEO, National Board of Directors, and senior leadership, will be responsible for setting the large-scale strategy for development and brand efforts and executing on that plan for aggressive revenue growth. They will oversee national and Chapter engagement initiatives, which strengthen constituent relationships, create awareness, and build constituent support for Make-A-Wish. The CRO will lead and oversee all development, corporate alliance, and brand initiatives, pioneering new strategies and tactics, in a federated model, for collaboration and financial growth.
A bold thinker and a strategic yet ‘hands-on’ executor, the CRO will lead best-in-class development and marketing programs. As a member of Make-A-Wish’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT), they will bring a genuine passion for Make-A-Wish’s mission coupled with deep experience driving fundraising success in a large, complex organization.
They will oversee and manage the team of nearly 100 development and marketing professionals. Direct reports include the Chief Integrated Fundraising Officer (IFR), Chief Revenue Partnerships & Services Officer (RPS), Chief Brand & Marketing Officer, and Senior Director of Leadership & Planned Giving.
The CRO will be instrumental in helping to achieve Make-A-Wish’s aspirational objectives. They will be an influential thought leader who will work closely with the federated network of fifty-eight Chapters, which includes over 400 marketing and development staff to lead, plan and execute local and organization-wide fundraising capacity building and best practice sharing initiatives.
The CRO will actively manage a donor portfolio by personally participating in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, and function as the primary partner in revenue cultivation and generation tied to the National Board of Directors. As a national leader and member of the Executive Leadership Team, they will have a comprehensive, highly collaborative, and quantitative approach to deliver sustainable revenue to enable growth in wishes.
YEAR ONE CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
Establishing a state-of-the-art and collaborative development capability by building high- performing development and brand organizations in a federated model, with a high level of professionalism, ability to influence toward organizational goals, transparency, a rigor around change management and drive toward results with a focus on Salesforce/CRM stabilization and optimization;
Facilitating collaboration and enhancing resource sharing among Chapters to maximize Make-A-Wish contribution in the field;
Collaborating and leveraging relationships of the President and CEO, Board Members, senior leaders, and Chapter leadership ensuring they are effectively supported to achieve fundraising goals; and,
Increasing the effectiveness and productivity of the team by serving as a coach and mentor, motivating team members with energy and passion, and ensuring clear expectations and accountability.
Professional Experience/Qualifications
Development Expertise
The CRO will be an innovative and energetic leader with a measurable track record of fundraising/revenue generating success within a large, complex environment. They will have demonstrated expertise with a wide range of fundraising channels. The CRO will have the capacity to develop and execute on large-scale development and brand strategy, with experience raising significant funds. They will be vested and guide the implementation of national fundraising initiatives and strategies, including identification, cultivation, and stewardship. They will work in close partnership with Make-A-Wish national and Chapter leaders to collaboratively achieve fundraising goals. A tactical leader, they will have a strong data and analysis orientation and a proven ability to use metrics to drive development decisions and achieve strategic objectives.
Strategic Thinking, Planning, and Implementation Skills
The CRO will have a proven record of converting strategy into effective execution. They will be a detail-oriented individual who functions well in a complex federated environment. The CRO will exhibit intellectual curiosity, including the ability to listen to and learn from multiple voices. They will have strong analytical skills and the ability to think creatively and collaboratively about Make-A-Wish’s development goals while remaining focused on details and follow-through. The CRO will have experience affecting change in a large organization, strong organizational and process management skills, and a strong ability to coordinate across departments and understand the implications of decisions on areas throughout the organization. The CRO will be a builder with the ability to set priorities decisively, delegate responsibilities, assure accountability and allocate resources to ensure results.
Leadership and Management Acumen
They will be a strategic leader who, along with the President and CEO, sets and articulates a vision for the organization’s next advancement chapter, builds and executes clear development and marketing plans, and evaluates outcomes with a metrics-based approach. The CRO will be an approachable leader who supports a culture of collaboration among the national office and the Chapters. They will be an innovative and energetic individual who functions well in a fast-paced, team environment, which includes national coordination. A diplomatic and supportive professional, the CRO will enhance the IFR, RPS, Leadership Gifts, and Brand departments’ culture of collaboration. They will offer creative, yet practical, ideas to achieve the strategic direction of both the team and the overall organization. An engaging and supportive expert, the CRO will offer credibility both internally and externally.
Skilled Relationship Builder and Collaborator
The CRO will be skilled at building and sustaining excellent relationships at multiple levels with varied constituencies, including Make-A-Wish’s National Board of Directors, leaders, and team members at all levels of the organization and donors. They will be a spokesperson for the organization, representing the mission
and engaging individuals, communities, and the public at large via events, conferences, media, and other forums to further the work of the foundation. They will have a motivating approach to building collaboration and buy-in and generating support from stakeholders. They will be able to establish rapport and open communication with all constituents and successfully convey Make-A-Wish’s mission and objectives. They will have a strong working relationship with key national leaders, both internally and externally and will be a proactive communicator at all times.
A Passion for the Mission
The CRO will have a passion for the Make-A-Wish’s mission and a commitment to grant every eligible child’s wish. They will embrace and grow Make-A-Wish’s culture, while continually innovating to help expand its brand and reach. The CRO will be an empathic, charismatic leader who has strong faith in humanity and treats others with respect. They will be an individual of unquestioned integrity, ethics, and values; someone who can be trusted without reservation.
Education
A Bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.
Benefits
WHAT WE OFFER
- Competitive compensation with annual incentive potential
- Comprehensive benefit package: Medical, Vision*, Dental*, Wellness
- Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account Options
- Health Reimbursement Account fully funded by Make-A-Wish
- Short Term Disability*, Long Term Disability* and Life Insurance
- Additional Insurance Plans: Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Pet Insurance through Figo
- 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with 5% match after one year of service
TIME OFF
- Up to 15 PTO days
- 10 Sick Days
- 11 Paid Holidays
- 2 Volunteer Days after one year of service
- 2 Personal Days accrued annually
- Maternity Leave
ALSO...
- Employee Awards and Recognition Programs
- Individual and Leadership Development
- Discounts and special offers for theme parks, events, hotels, concerts, and movie tickets
- Monthly premiums paid for the employee for vision, dental, and short/long term disability.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Vision
Make-A-Wish is committed to championing diversity, equity and inclusion, fostering an organization that is accessible and welcoming. In turn, we are uniting communities to help make more wishes possible.
- Our mission is most effectively fulfilled through a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as core values and practice.
- It is only through our mosaic of different cultures, perspectives and experiences that we can grant life-changing wishes to every eligible child.
- As the world’s largest wish-granting organization we stand against racism and intolerance and are committed to representation and acceptance, creating a sense of belonging, and practicing fairness in creating opportunities for our wish families, volunteers and staff.
We respect and ensure equal opportunity, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, perceived disability and other legally protected characteristics. Make-A-Wish America utilizes E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.
Required Skills
Required Experience