Chief Development Officer (Los Angeles)
Title : Chief Development Officer Organization : Library Foundation of Los Angeles Reports To : President and CEO Location : Downtown Los Angeles Work Model : Hybrid - team primarily in-office Tuesday through Thursday. Strong in-person presence and visibility are expected and essential to this role, including regular evening and weekend events. THE OPPORTUNITY Power another century of inspiration, creativity, connection, and possibility. This is a rare opportunity to step into a defining executive leadership role at one of Los Angeles's most beloved civic and cultural institutions at a moment of remarkable momentum, historic significance, and transformative potential. The Library Foundation of Los Angeles (LFLA) is seeking a Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead its philanthropic enterprise through its extraordinary next chapter powering the promise of the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL). The Richard J. Riordan Central Library—a beacon of knowledge and a sanctuary for stories since its dedication in July 1926—is marking its centennial. A multi-year Centennial Celebration and $10MM campaign is well underway and generating real civic energy. A year of signature events, a luminous honorary committee, and a library that has never been more visible, more resonant, or more compelling to donors has created the conditions for visionary, transformational philanthropy. With LA28 bringing global attention to the city's cultural institutions and a new LAPL strategic plan, the incoming CDO will arrive not as a steward of the status quo but as an architect of what comes next. Alongside the Centennial Celebration and Campaign, LFLA is beginning to think expansively about the future: impactful new initiatives, longer-term endowment goals, and a next comprehensive campaign that could significantly scale LFLA's philanthropic ambition. The CDO will be a principal voice in shaping that vision. At this moment, when trust in institutions is fragile and civic spaces are disappearing, our public libraries stand strong, and LFLA is committed to helping advance access, learning, discovery, and opportunity for all Angelenos. ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION The Library Foundation of Los Angeles (LFLA) is a private foundation with a public purpose: to support the work and mission of the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL). Through fundraising, advocacy, and innovative programming, LFLA enhances the capabilities, resources, and programs of LAPL, the third-largest public library system in the country. For more than 30 years, LFLA has worked in close partnership with LAPL to strengthen communities and improve civic life across Los Angeles. LAPL serves one of the largest and most diverse populations of any public library system in the country. With 72 neighborhood branches and the historic Central Library in downtown Los Angeles, LAPL provides free and open access to information, ideas, books, and technology, enriching, educating, and empowering individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Its programs span youth and adult literacy, digital equity, teen civic engagement and college readiness, new citizenship support, veteran services, makerspaces, and much more. LFLA's current annual revenue goal is approximately $10 million, comprised of individual major and planned gifts, corporate and foundation giving, membership, annual giving, and special events. The organization is governed by a 39-member active, engaged Board of Directors and mobilized by a Council of 400 civic and philanthropic ambassadors who work year-round to advance LFLA's mission, focusing on helping students succeed, investing in lifelong learning, and engaging the imagination. REPORTING AND TEAM The Chief Development Officer reports directly to the President and CEO and is a member of LFLA's Executive Leadership Team alongside the Chief Financial and Operations Officer. The CDO is a principal officer of the organization. The CDO manages a team of 13 with six direct reports. THE POSITION The CDO is a senior executive role demanding bold strategic thinking, sophisticated donor leadership, and the influence to galvanize a board, inspire and mentor a team, and move institutional philanthropy forward. The CDO will be a true partner to the President and CEO and the Board of Directors—helping to set the organization's philanthropic agenda, managing a team of development professionals, personally leading the cultivation and closing of some of the largest gifts, and serving as a primary external face of LFLA in major donor settings. This person will drive the Centennial Celebration and Campaign toward and beyond its goal, define the next phase of LFLA's fundraising, and co-create initiatives with philanthropic foundations that go beyond traditional grant-seeking. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES PHILANTHROPIC LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGY In close partnership with the President and CEO, develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year philanthropic strategy across all revenue categories and donor audiences. Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Centennial Celebration and Campaign—driving toward the initial $10 million goal and positioning LFLA for the next phase of major fundraising, including early thinking around a future comprehensive campaign and endowment development. Serve as a primary thought partner to the President and CEO and the Board of Directors on all aspects of philanthropic positioning, donor strategy, and revenue growth. Help shape LFLA's strategic roadmap following LAPL's new strategic plan—contributing a philanthropic lens to long-term organizational planning in partnership with the board and staff. Leverage LFLA’s cultural programming (ALOUD public programming series, including Night at the Library, and gallery exhibitions) to help raise awareness, tap new partners, and broaden reach. Champion a culture of philanthropy, urgency, and bold aspiration throughout the organization and among staff, board, volunteers, and LAPL partners. Serve as a key partner to LAPL staff and help them realize opportunities that enhance their work. Identify and develop new philanthropic initiatives aligned with emerging priorities and the central role our public libraries can play in addressing the evolving needs of LA communities. BOARD AND EXECUTIVE PARTNERSHIP Serve as a strategic partner to the Board of Directors: preparing, coaching, and activating board members as effective fundraising ambassadors. Manage up skillfully, briefing, equipping, and inspiring board leadership for donor conversations and requests and supporting their recruitment efforts. Engage the Board's Development Committee as a high-performing body with clear goals and meaningful accountability. Build and sustain strong, trust-based relationships with board members, LAPL leadership, and key institutional stakeholders. Leverage the Council of 400 volunteer ambassadors as a strategic fundraising and community engagement asset, activating their networks and relationships in service of the mission. In collaboration with CEO and CFOO, help motivate and align LFLA staff around shared goals. MAJOR GIFTS AND DONOR CULTIVATION In collaboration with a Director of Major and Planned Gifts, manage a portfolio of LFLA's most significant individual relationships, focusing on cultivating, soliciting, and closing six- and seven-figure gifts. Navigate sophisticated donor conversations with confidence and artfulness, including complex gift structures, multi-year commitments, planned gifts, and legacy discussions. Bring executive presence and emotional intelligence to high-net-worth donor settings: knowing when to listen, when to push, and when to make the ask. Deepen donor relationships and build LFLA's philanthropic network in the Los Angeles community and beyond, including thoughtful partnership with and guidance to development staff and key volunteer leaders to grow and steward the Young Literati and Council membership groups. CORPORATE, FOUNDATION, AND INSTITUTIONAL GIVING Support Sr. Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations in identifying new prospects and deepening existing institutional relationships. Function as a genuine strategic partner to philanthropic foundations—co-creating initiatives and impact opportunities that align funder interests with LAPL programs. Lead and oversee development of new corporate engagement, sponsorship, and partnership strategies that expand LFLA's institutional revenue base. REVENUE GROWTH AND DIVERSIFICATION Develop strategic, multi-year plans to diversify revenue and expand the donor base across all income streams: major and planned gifts, annual giving, membership, corporate and foundation giving, digital fundraising and events. Set ambitious and achievable revenue goals in partnership with the President and CEO. Assess organizational needs and establish annual budgets, performance metrics, and expected outcomes for the full development team. Bring new thinking and market-leading best practices to increase donor identification, cultivation, stewardship, and improve year-over-year retention across all giving levels. TEAM LEADERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing team, setting a tone of excellence, collaboration, and accountability. Establish clear performance expectations and quality outcomes for all direct reports in alignment with organizational goals. Coach, mentor, and retain top talent; identify and address performance gaps
