Description
To view full position profile, please visit: https://theangelettigroup.com/opportunities/current-executive-searches/
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Angeletti Group invites nominations and applications for the position of Chief Development Officer for Silver Hill. Silver Hill seeks a strategic and relationship-driven Chief Development Officer to lead and expand its fundraising enterprise at a pivotal moment in the institution’s history.
For 95 years, Silver Hill has served as one of the nation’s leading private, nonprofit psychiatric hospitals. Located in New Canaan, Connecticut, Silver Hill provides a seamless continuum of inpatient, residential, and outpatient care grounded in evidence-based treatment and compassionate clinical practice.
In recent years, philanthropic support has grown from approximately $1-2 million annually to roughly $7 million at its recent peak. That growth has established meaningful donor confidence and organizational momentum.
Silver Hill is now entering its next phase of philanthropic ambition. With an engaged and philanthropic Board, a compelling clinical mission, and significant untapped philanthropic potential, Silver Hill is poised to expand its impact through sustained and transformational investment. The next Chief Development Officer will help define and lead that next era.
THE CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
The Chief Development Officer (CDO) serves as the senior executive responsible for designing, leading, and advancing all philanthropic activity at Silver Hill.
Reporting to the President and Medical Director and serving as a member of the Executive Team, the CDO will act as the chief architect of Silver Hill’s fundraising strategy — sustaining strong annual performance while building the infrastructure, systems, and donor engagement necessary for long-term growth.
Silver Hill operates in a mission-centered clinical environment. The successful candidate will maintain a visible presence across the campus; build authentic relationships with clinicians, administrators, and staff; demonstrate resilience, steadiness, and high emotional intelligence in sensitive situations; and balance high-performance expectations with compassion and discretion.
This is a leadership opportunity for a builder and a doer — someone who combines strategic vision with active frontline engagement. The successful candidate will shape philanthropic priorities, deepen relationships with high-capacity donors, strengthen Board engagement, and position the organization for its next significant phase of philanthropic expansion.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership and Institutional Growth
- Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with Silver Hill’s clinical and organizational priorities, as documented in the Strategic Plan.
- Sustain and grow annual giving and major gifts programs.
- Expand and diversify revenue streams across major gifts, institutional funding, annual giving, and leadership engagement.
- Position Silver Hill for its next significant philanthropic growth initiative.
- Establish clear KPI’s and performance metrics to evaluate fundraising progress and optimize strategy.
- Design creative multi-year fundraising strategies aligned with the Silver Hill vision.
Silver Hill is poised for continued philanthropic expansion. The next leader will help define its scope and structure.
Major, Principal, and Institutional Giving
- Personally manage and grow a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and donors.
- Systematically expand engagement with high-capacity individuals and families connected to Silver Hill’s mission.
- Navigate complex donor dynamics (family foundations, multi-generational giving).
- Personally cultivate and close transformative gifts.
- Develop compelling cases for support for donor prospects aligned to the strategic plan priorities.
- Lead complex six- and seven-figure gift conversations and steward transformational relationships.
- Identify and oversee multiple fundraising strategies, including grant development, donor and prospect events, online platforms, campaign fundraising, etc. - Partner closely with the President and Program Leadership to cultivate and secure philanthropic investments.
This role requires credibility, discretion, and the ability to translate clinical excellence into compelling philanthropic opportunity.
Board Engagement and Governance Partnership
- Serve as principal staff partner to the Board and Development Committee.
- Provide transparent reporting and strategic insight grounded in measurable outcomes.
- Support the development of a high-performing fundraising Board, equipping directors to serve as confident ambassadors.
- Build strong, trust-based relationships with sophisticated donors and volunteers.
The ability to build trust, communicate with clarity, and earn the confidence of an engaged and thoughtful Board is essential to success in this role.
Team Leadership and Operational Excellence
- Build and mentor a high-performing, growth-oriented development team.
- Recruit and retain strong talent aligned with Silver Hill’s mission and values.
- Ensure effective use of donor systems and CRM tools to support data-informed fundraising strategy.Enhance reporting and stewardship processes to support donor confidence and sustained growth.
-Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Data Driven Fundraising Acumen
- Interpret donor analytics and wealth screening data.
- Build KPI Dashboards for Board and executive leadership.
- Make decisions based on ROI, not intuition.
Executive Level Relationship Intelligence
- Build trust with donors, Board and staff.
- Read power dynamics quickly.
- Knowledge of fundraising best practices, regulations, and ethical standards.
- Manage confidential high-stakes conversations.
Success in this role will require both thoughtful relationship-building and consistent, accountable execution.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS AND PREFERENCES
The ideal candidate will bring:
A minimum of 10 years of progressive fundraising leadership experience.
- Demonstrated success securing major gifts and cultivating high-capacity donors.
- Experience partnering effectively with a Board of Directors and senior leadership.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex clinical and strategic priorities to donors, directors, and community stakeholders.
- Experience leading and managing development staff.
- Experience in healthcare, behavioral health, higher education, or another complex mission-driven environment.
- Experience preparing an organization for significant philanthropic growth initiatives.
- Familiarity with donor management systems.
- Sound judgment and maturity in governance relationships.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to earn trust quickly.
- Emotional intelligence and discretion appropriate to behavioral healthcare.
- A visible, engaged leadership style.
- Discipline and follow-through in execution.
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or relevant professional certification preferred.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
To be considered, candidates should submit a statement of interest and CV to The Angeletti Group at search@theangelettigroup.com.
Nominations and confidential inquiries can be made to:
Suzanne Albin
The Angeletti Group
(973) 540-1400
search@theangelettigroup.com
