First, you are more than a fundraising technician. You have to be an organizational development specialist, not just another good (or even great) fundraising technician. (And by the way, if you want to be promoted to a leadership position, then you really have to be more than a fundraising technician.)
The chief development officer must be a leader. S/he must be knowledgeable about things other than fundraising…things like governance and planning and systems thinking and… I think real leaders – truly competent, star professionals in any field – are change agents, too.
Check out what CFRE International tells you and me we must know. That’s based on research conducted worldwide. Just review the test content outline. Use it for interviewing and hiring. Check out Adrian Sargeant’s new book Fundraising Principles and Practice.
And read my job description for a chief development officer. Is this what you believe is your job? Is this what your boss hired you to do? Is this leadership job what you promote and hold yourself accountable for?
