Chief Development and External Affairs Officer

Chief Development and External Affairs Officer Operation Stand Down Tennessee Nashville, TN Job Details Full-time $120,000 - $130,000 a year 15 hours ago Benefits Paid holidays Disability insurance Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Paid time off Vision insurance 403(b) Flexible schedule Life insurance Retirement plan Qualifications Marketing Major gifts Team development Driver's License Bachelor's degree Team management Fundraising Budgeting Training & development Financial management Marketing Organizational budget management Senior leadership Full Job Description Engage. Equip. Empower. Veterans. A senior fundraising leader designing the revenue strategy that will power Operation Stand Down Tennessee's statewide growth and ensure every Veteran in Tennessee has the resources, services, and community they have earned. Operation Stand Down Tennessee (OSDTN) is the only comprehensive Veteran-serving agency in Middle Tennessee engaging, equipping, and empowering Veterans and their families at every stage of life after service. From three Veteran Service Centers in Clarksville, Nashville, and Columbia, OSDTN delivers a continuum of crisis, career, and connection services that no other Tennessee organization brings together under one roof. Our Mission. Operation Stand Down Tennessee engages, equips, and empowers military Veterans and their families through crisis, career, connection, and community services. How We Serve Veterans Engage. Through transitional housing, suicide prevention, financial assistance, legal aid, food and housing support, and peer-driven outreach, OSDTN meets Veterans where they are during moments of crisis. Equip. Through career programs, employer partnerships, transition coaching, networking events, military spouse support, and job equipment assistance, OSDTN equips Veterans for sustainable employment and economic mobility. Empower. Through Operation Commissary, community meetups, volunteer opportunities, military record recovery, and statewide partnerships, OSDTN empowers Veterans to lead full, connected lives long after service. The Moment OSDTN is at a defining moment of growth; by expanding statewide reach, deepening community partnerships, and executing an ambitious multi-year strategic plan. The next Chief Development and External Affairs Officer will build the revenue strategy, the development team, and the external positioning required to match the urgency of Veteran need with the scale of philanthropic opportunity.

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY

This role is ideal for a fundraising leader who sees the full revenue ecosystem and who is energized by the chance to architect the philanthropic strategy behind a growing, statewide Veteran-serving organization. The CDO will lead OSDTN's development engine while serving as a public ambassador for Tennessee Veterans. Key Areas of Leadership Revenue Strategy and Growth Leadership Design and execute a comprehensive, multi-year revenue strategy that diversifies funding streams and powers OSDTN's continued statewide growth. Build metrics and dashboards to measure ROI across major gifts, annual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, planned giving, events, and social enterprise. Philanthropic Relationship Development Personally cultivate and steward a portfolio of high-capacity donors, family foundations, and corporate partners. Expand regional and national philanthropic relationships and serve as a lead ambassador for OSDTN at community, corporate, and statewide forums. Team Leadership and Infrastructure Build, mentor, and lead a four-person development and engagement team with clear accountability, measurable goals, and professional development pathways. Strengthen the data, CRM, and gift-processing systems that sustain growth. Board and Executive Partnership Partner with the CEO to strengthen Board engagement in fundraising through training, prospect alignment, and performance accountability. Serve as a strategic advisor on revenue modeling, campaign feasibility, growth capital, and external positioning. Brand and External Affairs Leadership Ensure strategic alignment between development, marketing, communications, and community engagement to strengthen brand visibility and drive revenue growth. Champion a culture of philanthropy across the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Passion for OSDTN's mission and a commitment to those who have served Bachelor's degree or higher in business, marketing, communications, or a related field Minimum 5 years of direct fundraising experience and 5 years of management experience (3+ years in senior management desired) Demonstrated success building and leading high-performing development teams Demonstrated experience cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major and institutional gifts Experience working with and alongside a Board of Directors Strong financial acumen, budget management, and compliance experience Valid, current Tennessee driver's license Preferred Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential Veteran or military-connected experience Comprehensive knowledge of the Middle Tennessee region's Veteran, community, employment services, and resources Experience leading capital, comprehensive, or transformational campaigns Experience in corporate partnerships, planned giving, or social enterprise Compensation and Benefits Operation Stand Down Tennessee offers a competitive compensation package that includes: Salary $120,000-$130,000 Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage Retirement plan with employer contribution Paid time off and holidays Short-term and long-term disability and life insurance

HOW TO APPLY

Operation Stand Down Tennessee has engaged Nonprofit Leadership LLC to lead this executive search. Interested candidates should submit a current résumé and a personalized cover letter describing their fundraising leadership experience and their connection to the Veteran community. Send complete and updated applications to: The deadline to apply is June 22, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with an appreciation for early applications.

Pay:

$120,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 403(b) Dental insurance Flexible schedule Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance Application Question(s): How many years of nonprofit fundraising have you done as a paid position? How many years have you directly managed employees? What is your connection to the veteran community?

Work Location:

In person