Cottage Health seeks a Chief Development Officer- Systemwide. The Chief Development Officer- Systemwide oversees all systemwide fundraising functions and initiatives for principal, foundation, and planned giving. Works closely with the Cottage Health Foundation leadership team, the Executive Management Group of Cottage Health, Cottage Health’s Foundation Board, and the Cottage Health Foundation Cabinet. Works at both the strategic and operational levels and will be expected to lead by example, working with a small portfolio of principal donors to achieve significant personal fundraising goals. The team will be expected to generate significant fundraising, often with goals of $25 million or more each year.
ResponsibilitiesThis is not an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees will be required to perform any job, with related instruction given by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.
- Provides strategic oversight and direction for all systemwide fundraising functions and initiatives across Cottage Health, ensuring alignment with organizational and Foundation priorities.
- Builds, leads, and develops a high-performing fundraising team, including direct management of the Directors of Principal Gifts, Planned Giving, and Foundations, and an Executive Assistant.
- Manages a small portfolio of principal and/or planned gift donors, leading by example to achieve significant personal fundraising results and modeling best-in-class donor engagement.
- Oversees goal setting, forecasting, pipeline management, and performance metrics to ensure the team achieves $25M+ in annual fundraising results once fully staffed.
- Works closely with the Vice President for Advancement, Executive Management Group, Foundation Board, and Foundation Cabinet to advance top-tier cultivation and solicitation strategies.
- Ensures effective systems, processes, and coordination across principal gifts, planned giving, foundation relations, and advancement operations.
- Serves as a senior ambassador for Cottage Health and the Foundation, strengthening relationships with key stakeholders, donors, and community partners.
All job qualifications listed indicate the minimum level necessary to perform this job proficiently.
LEVEL OF EDUCATION
Minimum:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Communications, Public Administration, or Health Administration. Equivalent combination of education and extensive development experience (major/principal gifts, planned giving, and/or foundation relations) may be accepted.
Preferred:
JD or a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as MBA, MHA, MPA or an MA/MS in a relevant field
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
Minimum:
Proficiency in MS Office and Blackbaud NXT or similar CRM
CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Preferred:
CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) FAHP (Fellow of the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy) Specialized planned giving coursework or certification (e.g., through PPP or CAP® programs)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Minimum:
- 20+ years of related professional experience 10+ years of direct fundraising experience 7+ years in a leadership role
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a related field
- 20+ years of related professional experience
- 10+ years of direct fundraising experience
- 7+ years in a leadership role
- Proficiency in MS Office and Blackbaud NXT
- JD or Master's degree preferred
- CFRE preferred
- Specialized planned giving coursework preferred
Cottage Health Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Cottage Health and has not been reviewed or approved by Cottage Health.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is considered competitive for the area and often described as fair or among the best locally. Noted examples of meaningful raises over time reinforce the perception of market-aligned compensation.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as very good, with comprehensive medical, dental, and vision alongside robust mental health resources. Wellness supports like an EAP, onsite fitness/yoga, and incentives enhance overall value.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Distinctive programs such as substantial down‑payment assistance, workforce‑affordable housing, wellness dollars, and onsite childcare broaden total rewards beyond core insurance. These offerings are positioned to help offset local cost pressures and support daily life.
Cottage Health Insights
What We Do
Mission Statement: To provide superior health care for and improve the health of our communities through a commitment to our core values of excellence, integrity, and compassion. Founded in 1888, the not-for-profit Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital has been serving the community for more than 125 years. Cottage Health, formed in 1996 as the not-for-profit parent organization of Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and its affiliated Cottage Children’s Medical Center, Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital, Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital, and Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital, is guided by a volunteer board of directors from the greater Santa Barbara community and provides the residents of the Central and South Coast with exemplary health care, continuous improvements in medical practice, and a commitment to our communities.
