Chief Development Officer at Omega Institute

Chief Development Officer

 About Omega Institute 

Omega was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1977 on a profound ideal—to help awaken the best in the human spirit. Every year, tens of thousands of people attend our innovative educational workshops, trainings, conferences, and retreats on our Hudson Valley campus and more than two million people join us online. From the beginning, we have been guided by these core beliefs: that personal and social change are inexorably linked; that all people deserve and can cultivate health and happiness; and that we are interconnected and responsible for each other and the earth we share. Our integrated approach to personal and social change has made Omega different from other learning centers and conference conveners — we are neither a university nor a retreat center. We are a hub for a global community of lifelong learners, seekers, creators, thinkers, and doers.

When Omega first began, yoga and meditation, environmental sustainability, women’s leadership, natural foods and integrative medicine, indigenous wisdom, inter-religious and non-religious spirituality, and world music and transformational art were all subjects at the fringe of Western society. Now, yoga studios are on every corner; meditation is being taught in public schools; hospitals are embracing stress reduction, acupuncture, and energy medicine; women are leading and innovating in a variety of sectors; global climate change is a reality; and food— whether it’s about its local production, food deserts, or healthy lifestyles—is central to the cultural conversation. And the urgent issue of bridging growing divides has become central to our understanding of evolving human consciousness.

Thanks to our extraordinary faculty, staff, and extended community of millions of participants, we have become one of the largest and most trusted centers for lifelong learning in the world. Our next big step is to translate the excellence we have achieved and the expertise we have honed since our inception to meet the needs of new generations and communities and build on our leadership in convening communities, forming new entrepreneurial collaborations, and sharing the ever-changing ways of inspiring care of the self and care of the world. As we look forward to our next chapter, we are searching for a Chief Development Officer to lead the organization’s fundraising strategy and ensure that Omega sustains the organizational strength needed to sustainably deepen our learning experiences and scale our impact to meet the changing needs in the world.

 Position Overview

The Chief Development Officer will be joining Omega at a time of significant organizational transition and business-model realignment, and will work with the Board, stakeholders, and consultants to drive the creation of a significant 50th anniversary comprehensive[KC1]  campaign to launch in 2027.  Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the Chief Development Officer serves as a critical member of the Executive Leadership Team, playing a crucial role in charting our way ahead and enabling us to realize the goals of our strategic plan. The new leader will share responsibility for strategic and budgetary planning and acting as a liaison between the leadership team and staff, helping to ensure goals are understood and achieved. 

 The Chief Development Officer is a visionary, self-motivated leader responsible for effectively communicating the organization’s philanthropic value proposition and developing strategies that will accelerate, grow and diversify the funding base of support. This role requires creativity, strategic thinking, a strong network in the donor space, experience in leading Development functions and securing major gifts, and an understanding of the integrated nature of personal, social, and cultural change. 

 The successful candidate will possess deep ties to philanthropic communities and have a proven track record of securing major gifts, working on comprehensive campaigns, building an organizational culture of giving. They will also have experience in development strategic planning and successfully leading and managing a Development team to meet or exceed revenue goals.  The Chief Development Officer will embody our collaborative and supportive culture and will have a passion for lifelong learning and spiritual exploration. 

Essential Functions

 Create & Implement a Comprehensive Fundraising Strategy

• Build upon and develop ongoing stewardship plans that include identifying and cultivating relationships with individual, corporate, and foundation donors and prospects, emphasizing the organization’s mission and impact, and driving individual donor engagement and investment
  • Work closely with the President & CEO and Board of Directors to identify and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders, including potential donors, community leaders, and elected officials, to advance the organization’s mission and goals
  • Drive the creation of a multi-year, comprehensive campaign budget aligned with the strategic plan and priorities, including goals, metrics, and timelines
  • Develop and implement strategies to raise awareness of the organization’s mission, programs, and services to increase its visibility and support
  • Represent the organization at community events, conferences, and other public forums to enhance the organization’s visibility and influence
  • Ensure effective systems and efficient processes are in place to support fundraising and development operations, including gift processing, database management, and reporting

• Lead an integrated and growing development and membership program, providing critical guidance and motivation to staff 
• Collaborate with other departments, including Marketing, Operations, and Programming, to ensure a cohesive fundraising strategy, meeting or exceeding financial goals of the department

 Major Gift Donor Cultivation & Engagement

• Review and refine strategies for identifying and cultivating major gift prospects, including individuals, corporations, and foundations, to expand the organization’s donor base
• Develop and maintain relationships with major gift donors through personalized engagement and stewardship activities, such as one-on-one meetings, cultivation events, and recognition programs
• Identify and cultivate new donors, many of which may not be currently funding or known to Omega
• Work closely with the President & CEO and Board of Directors to solicit major gifts and to develop tailored proposals and gift agreements that align with donors’ interests and the organization’s priorities
• Refine and reimagine fundraising data systems that can benefit from advancements in cloud technology
• Ensure the timely and accurate acknowledgement of all gifts and donations and the proper stewardship of donor relationships
• Work with the President & CEO and Board of Directors to develop and maintain a robust donor pipeline to support the organization’s long-term fundraising goals
• Manage the Development and Nomination Committees of the Board of Directors, ensuring collaboration and alignment between the committees and the organization 

 Leadership & Team Management

• Participate as a member of the Executive Leadership Team in the overall planning, implementation and evaluation of organizational goals, including acting as bridge between strategy, goals and staff deliverables
• Working closely with the CFO and other officers, help develop Omega’s annual budget and direct Development budgets, contracts, and schedules to ensure financial sustainability and operational efficiency; build and manage Development team budget
• Lead, mentor, and manage the Development team, fostering collaboration and professional growth
• Work collaboratively across the organization to achieve our People & Culture goals, including our Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) goals
• In consultation with the President & CEO, work directly with the founders of the organization, board members and other organizational stakeholders regarding fundraising

 Required Education, Experience, and Attributes

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; advanced degree in nonprofit management or a related field is preferred 
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising and development, including at least 5 years in a leadership role 
  • Experience creating strategic multi-year fundraising plans and building consensus among stakeholders to achieve fundraising goals
  • Experience creating and leading successful comprehensive campaigns of major significance
  • Demonstrated success in cultivating donor relationships with high-net-worth individuals, family foundations, and family offices
  • Experience in Planned Giving, including experience in non-cash assets
  • Experience successfully managing and mentoring employees, with a commitment to creating a positive and inclusive work culture
  • Experience managing and overseeing departmental budgets
  • A deep fundraising network
  • Experience in holistic studies, wellness, or mindfulness is desirable
  • Familiarity with Raiser’s Edge 
• Attributes:
  • Superior interpersonal and relationship-building skills
  • An excellent communicator, including superb influencing, storytelling, and writing skills that drive and support donor engagement
  • Strong ability to build relationships and grow capacity within our organization to maximize the collective impact
  • An independent, optimistic, creative and collaborative problem solver with the ability to anticipate both short- and long-term challenges
  • Passionate about Omega’s mission and committed to holistic education and our integrated approach to personal and social change
  • Culturally competent with a commitment to Omega’s core values and aspirations  
  • Creative, adaptable, and able to thrive in a collaborative, mission-driven environment

Work Details

• This position is based at Omega Institute’s campus in Rhinebeck, NY, with potential for hybrid or remote work arrangements.
• This position requires being available on campus during weekends when workshops are in session to meet with prospects and support critical donor events and gatherings. 
• This is a full-time, exempt position. 

Physical Requirements 

• Ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
• Ability to traverse a hilly campus in diverse weather conditions.
• Ability to position self to perform diverse job tasks as necessary.
• Ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand, and ability to exchange accurate information in these situations.

Meaningful & Mission-Driven Community

When you join Omega’s Core Staff, you become part of a globally recognized nonprofit dedicated to personal growth, social change, and sustainability. Together, we cultivate a collaborative work environment that fosters lifelong learning and spiritual exploration, while nurturing an inclusive community of belonging. 

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual salary of $150,000 - $160,000
• Comprehensive benefits package, including:
  • Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
  • Retirement savings plan (403b)
  • Generous paid time off, including vacation, holidays, sick, and personal days
  • Employee assistance program (EAP) for mental health and well-being support
• Flexible and hybrid work options (available for most positions):
  • April–October (campus open for guest season): Hybrid work schedule
  • November–March (campus closed): Remote work from home 
• Complimentary meals in the Dining Hall during workdays
• Discounts in Omega’s Café, Bookstore, and Wellness Center
• Daily classes in yoga, meditation, and tai chi (open to Omega participants and staff)
• Special classes and community gatherings (exclusive to staff)
• One complimentary catalog workshop per year, plus discounts on any additional catalog workshops
• Amenities include Long Pond Lake (kayaking/boating), tennis, pickle ball, and basketball courts, hiking trails, gardens, and more

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice. 

Reasonable Accommodations 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Omega complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act, and all applicable New York State or local laws. Consistent with those requirements, Omega will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability if such accommodation would allow the individual to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the job, unless doing so would create an undue hardship.  

Equal Opportunity, Anti-Discrimination and JEDI Statement

 Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, Inc. (“Omega”) is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, New York State, and local laws. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. As a community of learners, we are committed to putting our organizational aspirations into practice, as outlined in our Justice Equity Diversity Inclusion (JEDI) Statement.

Omega strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of actual or perceived race; color; creed; age; religion; national origin; citizenship status; sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions); gender (including gender identity); sexual orientation; disability; marital status; partnership status; familial status; status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sex offenses; genetic predisposition; veteran’s status; military status; or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws, regulations, or ordinances. All Omega employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.

Applying for the Position

A cover letter is required, applications without a cover letter will not be considered: 
  After carefully reviewing the position requirements, qualified individuals are invited to apply. A resume and well-crafted cover letter should be attached that serves as an introduction and includes the following:

• In what way have Omega’s core values resonated within your work life and personal life?
• How has your previous work experience prepared you for this role?
• What are your salary requirements? (Feel free to state a range.)