Chief Development Officer

Delta Waterfowl Foundation is seeking to recruit a dynamic new Chief Development Officer (CDO) to be based in Bismarck, North Dakota.

About Delta Waterfowl Foundation

Founded in 1911, Delta Waterfowl Foundation (Delta) uses science-based solutions to produce ducks and to conserve prairie wetlands to ensure the future of waterfowl hunting. Delta’s vision remains steadfast – abundant ducks and endless opportunities for all waterfowl hunters. As the “The Duck Hunters Organization,” Delta conducts vital waterfowl research, trains the next generation of waterfowl biologists and scientists, and promotes and protects the continuing tradition of waterfowl hunting in North America.

The four key pillars of Delta’s organization are the following: 

• Duck Production: Delta delivers efficient, effective waterfowl programs such as Predator Management and Hen Houses to produce more ducks on the prairie breeding grounds. Based on sound science, Delta’s duck production efforts add ducks to the fall flight every year and in every flyway.
• Habitat Conservation: Delta conserves critical breeding duck habitat through continual agricultural and public land conservation policy efforts. Delta works in partnership with landowners to create innovative, incentive-based programs such as Working Wetlands, which ensure strong duck production this year and long into the future.
• Research & Education: Delta is a leading waterfowl research organization, with a legacy of leading-edge science. Delta bases the organization’s duck production and habitat programs on this research and continually seeks science-based solutions to issues facing ducks and duck hunters throughout North America. Delta also provides hands-on and incredibly important training opportunities to the next generation of waterfowl and wetland biologists and scientists.
• HunteR3: Delta works to ensure the tradition and future of waterfowl hunting through programs such as First Hunt, the largest waterfowl hunter recruitment program in the world. Delta also ensures that future wildlife professionals appreciate the economic, ecological, and recreational importance of hunting through our rapidly expanding University Hunt Program. Delta rigorously protects hunting access and opportunity, defending waterfowl hunting anytime and anywhere.

The mission, vision, and values of Delta Waterfowl are clear and have never been more vital to ducks and duck hunters in North America. Acres of quality breeding waterfowl habitat continue to shrink every year, while more hungry predators than ever roam the landscape where ducks nest. Waterfowl hunters too, face mounting pressures.

With the launch of the Million Duck Campaign, Delta is uniquely positioned and poised to amplify the organization’s impact by dramatically increasing the scope and scale of work across each of its four pillars. Delta will maintain and incrementally expand delivery of existing programs to fulfill the mission to produce ducks and secure the future of waterfowl hunting. Delta is poised to build on its current strategic plan with the following emerging strategic goals:

• Steward and Complete the Million Duck Campaign. In June, Delta is wrapping up the public phase of the Million Duck Campaign. To date, Delta has secured $221 million of its long-term goal of reaching a $270 million endowment to permanently fund the annual cost of producing one million ducks. has been committed toward this need. Delta will focus its fundraising on securing the remaining capital needed to sustain the campaign’s long-term delivery.
• Expand Access and Opportunity Under the Duck Distribution Banner. The Duck Distribution initiative is Delta’s vehicle for expanding waterfowl hunting access and reinforcing its value to duck hunters across North America. While the initiative includes national communications, branding, and marketing strategies, the programmatic impact will focus on improving access and habitat conditions on public trust assets.
• Delta’s Scientific Leadership is a critical element in all aspects of the organization’s impact and value. Delta is investing in its research capacity and scientific leadership. This includes expanding studies on duck distribution, validating the return on investment in predator management and duck production, and setting the stage for a future campaign rooted in rigorous science.

Today, Delta Waterfowl remains true to James Ford Bell’s founding vision, ever evolving to respond to the new threats and challenges facing ducks and duck hunters. Delta’s vision of abundant waterfowl and endless opportunities for duck hunters serves as a promise of a bright future — one with skies full of ducks and countless places to enjoy those magical mornings in the duck blind.

For more information about Delta Waterfowl please visit www.deltawaterfowl.org.

Chief Development Officer 

Reporting to the CEO and working with dedicated Board members and talented professional staff, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) occupies a strategic role within Delta Waterfowl. The CDO will facilitate and implement a comprehensive and diversified fundraising plan for a dynamic, growing global conservation organization.

The CDO must be a skilled communicator, highly organized, and motivated to develop a sustainable and innovative philanthropic program. While the CDO will oversee an operation, which includes major donor solicitation, corporate, private, and family foundation grantmaking, planned giving, capital campaigns, annual giving, endemic corporate giving, and special events, the CDO should be inspired to bring an innovative and entrepreneurial approach to revenue generation to match the innovative nature of Delta’s programs. Moreover, because so much of what this person will do involves building and maintaining trust with senior management and staff, donors, and outside stakeholders, the CDO must possess the presence, judgment, and ability to operate effectively and professionally with a wide cross section of public, private, and philanthropic leaders.

Professional Experience and Personal Attributes

Delta is seeking an individual who brings a passion for conservation, hunting, and philanthropy. The CDO will preferably possess knowledge of conservation or hunting sector values, donor motivations, and key networks. Most importantly, the CDO will need to have a demonstrated personal passion for waterfowl hunting and possess an authentic conservation ethic.

The Chief Development Officer will be entrusted with the following goals and responsibilities:

• Major Gifts Strategy and Pipeline Development. Deep understanding of moves management, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for six-seven and eight-figure gifts.
• Mid-Level Giving Strategy ($1,000–$10,000). Expertise in building scalable, high-touch programs that engage and upgrade mid-tier donors with tailored stewardship and segmented messaging.
• Digital Fundraising and Multi-Channel Strategy. Familiarity with audience segmentation, conversion metrics, and performance analysis across email, paid social, SMS, and website conversion. Knowledge of how to reduce dependency on declining direct mail channels.
• Annual Fund and Sustainer Program Design. Ability to assess, realign, and grow base-level donor programs ($35–$1,000) using both digital and hybrid strategies, with a plan to build toward lifetime donor value.
• Special Events. Plan and coordinate all aspects of special events. Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to effectively promote events and maximize attendance and develop and manage event budgets. Conduct post-event evaluations, gather feedback and data to assess the success of each event, and identify areas for improvement.
• Annual corporate giving. Explore and implement opportunities for creative partnerships and philanthropic investment opportunities that promote investment at a greater level in all areas of Delta’s work.
• Fundraising Operations and Data Infrastructure. Strong command of CRMs, donor analytics, campaign reporting, prospect research tools, and financial forecasting to support scalable growth.
• Campaign and Endowment Fundraising. Experience in comprehensive campaigns and endowment building, preferably with gifts exceeding $100M+ in scope.
• Team Leadership and Fundraising Culture Development. Understanding of organizational design and culture building within large fundraising shops (30–50+ people), including major gift officers, event staff, and support teams.

Executive Qualifications

The CDO will ideally possess the following professional qualifications and personal attributes:

Professional Qualifications:

• High-Performing Team Leadership
  Proven ability to hire, mentor, and retain top fundraising talent while fostering accountability and cohesion across large, diverse teams.
• Strategic Planning and Execution: Ability to design and execute multi-year growth strategies from $25M to $50M+, with milestones, KPIs, and reporting frameworks.
• Personal Fundraising and Donor Engagement: Skilled frontline fundraiser with experience personally managing a portfolio of high-net-worth donors and closing transformational gifts.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Strong collaborator with Marketing/Comms, Programs, Finance, and Executive Leadership to align messaging, budgeting, and outreach.
• Analytical and Financial Acumen: Comfort with campaign modeling, fundraising ROI, pipeline analytics, and budget management to guide data-driven decisions.
• Communication and Influence: Skilled in public speaking, board-level presentations, and written communication that motivate donors and staff alike.

Personal Attributes

• Visionary with Operational Discipline: Balances big-picture campaign thinking with day-to-day executional rigor; can scale both strategy and systems.
• Mission-Driven and Authentic: Believes deeply in Delta’s mission, understands or respects the culture of waterfowl hunting and conservation, and connects credibly with donors.
• Adaptable and Resilient: Unfazed by shifting donor trends, economic climates, or internal change—brings solutions, not drama.
• Builder’s Mindset: Enjoys building new programs, not just optimizing existing ones. Views the mid-tier and digital work as an opportunity, not a burden.
• Candid, Honest, and Accountable: Communicates directly and transparently. Holds themselves and their team to high standards.
• Stewardship-Oriented: Cares about donor intent, long-term trust, and demonstrating measurable impact.

Compensation

Delta will offer a salary that matches or exceeds what is offered by federal or university positions. They have generous pay advancement and terrific health insurance and retirement plans.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter, responding specifically to the experience and qualifications required, to Daniel Sherman, President, Explore Company at resumes@explorecompany.com.  Refer to DW/CDO in the subject line. No phone inquiries, please.

Delta Waterfowl is an equal opportunity employer and seeks a diverse pool of candidates. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

All correspondence will remain confidential.