Chief Advancement Officer

Position: Chief Advancement Officer

Campus: Home/Central Office (On-Site)

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Position Description

United Schools is conducting a search for a Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) to guide the organization’s philanthropic work through its next strategic phase of growth. Currently, in its 17th year of operations, United has a history of strong educational outcomes and financial health, leadership team and board stability, and a truly special culture that is values-grounded, caring, and dedicated to the important work of United’s mission.

The CAO will set the fundraising vision and serve as a thoughtful and collaborative steward of United’s mission, values, and resources. As the organization transitions out of start-up mode into that of a young institution, we are eager to ensure we build the right systems and structures that reinforce and enable our team to thrive – while still fostering the flexibility and dynamism we know effective innovation requires. To this end, we are looking for someone who is uniquely skilled at thinking in systems, understanding variation in data over time, designing iterative tests of change to improve processes, and understanding the human side of change. The network is also growing in sophistication and complexity in its financial forecasting, organization-wide planning, and strategic alignment. Just as we seek to build extraordinary learning experiences for our students as core to our mission – so too do we seek to design our organization to be extraordinary in all of the ways that we operate and support our tremendous team. In service of our mission, the CAO role oversees Philanthropy, External Relations, Internal Communication, and Alumni Services.

Key Responsibilities

The Chief Advancement Officer oversees and supports a lean and mighty, truly all-star team that includes the following direct reports and team members: Jennifer Olivieri, Director of Development; Caroline Durbin, Director of Alumni Services; Jillian Finkel, Stewardship Associate; Sarah Sanchez, Development Associate; and Ciana Lawhead, Alumni Services Associate. The role of the CAO is to ensure the functions of Philanthropy, External Relations, Internal Communication, and Alumni Services are well-coordinated, aligned, and effective in supporting the organization’s current and future programmatic goals and ambitions. The CAO operates flexibly, leaning into each function in customized ways, running the gamut from advising, coaching, directing, and rolling-up-sleeves alongside the team. In addition, the CAO is responsible for recruiting, developing, supporting, and retaining diverse and outstanding talent for these functions, and supporting this team to achieve their goals and growth aspirations in an environment of collegiality, challenge, and support. As a leader on the team, the CAO serves as a trusted partner to organizational leaders and teammates, prioritizing the organization’s mission and living into and stewarding its organizational values and commitments.

The details of each function are as follows:

Philanthropy:

• Establish fundraising goals in partnership with the Chief Executive Officer based on the strategic plan.
• Supervise the Director of Development and support with establishing annual goals, providing regular performance reviews, and facilitating appropriate recognition
• Develop and implement annual development strategy to successfully meet established fundraising goals and objectives
• Lead the execution of annual development plan activities, including events, tours, campaigns, volunteer activities, et al. to meet established fundraising goals
• Maintain and grow a portfolio of major individual, corporate, and foundation donors
• Lead the effective communication with and functioning of the board development committee
• Serve as liaison between school, finance, and development teams to ensure accurate record-keeping and spending of restricted contributed income
• Regularly analyze data to assess trends, report findings, and adjust strategy or activities
• Support strategic planning for the network, particularly as it relates to advancement and fundraising

Internal Communication and External Relations:

• Lead the creation and distribution of key internal and external marketing materials
• Set the tone and direction for cases for support, grants, appeals, and other written communication
• In collaboration with network leadership, plan and deliver regular internal communication to network staff
• Evaluate potential external and internal partnerships that may add value to students and staf
• Where appropriate, coordinate details of internal and external partnerships with schools

Alumni Services:

• Provide leadership to alumni services team, including supervising the Director of Alumni Services, supporting the creation of annual goals, providing regular performance reviews, and facilitating appropriate recognition

Other duties as assigned by the CEO.  

• This description is representative of the position requirements and is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Experience & Qualifications

Applicants will have 8+ years of demonstrated experience in philanthropic work with a deep understanding of and successful experience with the nonprofit and/or education sectors. Professional experience in an executive leadership position in a nonprofit setting that serves early childhood, K-12 education, or higher education is valued but not required.

• Demonstrated fundraising acumen in a mission-driven organization and experience building processes, goal setting, budgeting, progress monitoring, and staff evaluation.
• Exceptional leadership and management skills to inspire, lead, and work closely with members of multiple teams.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, energy, and enthusiasm with the ability to build long-term relationships and represent the organization to external audiences.
• Proven capacity to solve problems and identify key strategic insights that advance the goals of the organization.
• Solid educational background — undergraduate degree required; Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation highly desired.

Competencies:

The CAO should demonstrate mastery of the following competencies and/or have a development plan in place to build them:

• An adept operator: able to set clear, big-picture vision and broad operational aspirations and turn them into actionable goals, milestones, and deliverables with clear owners and timelines. Communicates and partners effectively at all levels of the organization with an exceptional eye for detail. Approaches work with an entrepreneurial mindset and a growth orientation with a relentless focus on outcomes.
• A people-first manager: demonstrated experience managing, developing, and retaining a diverse team through inclusive and equitable management practices, building a strong team culture that values each individual, and successfully managing to achieve measurable team and organizational results against goals.
• Deep experience in nonprofit philanthropy: proven track record in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual, corporate, and foundation donors that effectively capitalize on opportunities and allow the organization to excel in the short and long term. Deep experience leading development and fundraising strategy supported by data and metrics.
• Personally committed to expanding opportunity for young people: aims to serve young people – regardless of race, income, disability, immigration status, etc. – and to bolster the prosperity and rights of those who have been excluded from educational and economic opportunities.

Terms of Employment

• Applications will be considered immediately with a start date targeted for early November.
• This is a full-time position.
• Report times are typically Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., although some job-related tasks can be expected outside of these hours.
• Salary: The starting salary for a new Chief Advancement Officer is $105,000. The starting salary for other applicants will depend on professional experience and education level.
• Benefits: United offers medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage options, paid time off, paid parental leave, observance of school holidays (e.g., winter break is 2 weeks, spring break is 1 week, etc.), and professional development opportunities.
• Employees participate in the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS) or the School Employees Retirement System of Ohio (SERS).
• All United schools are Equal Opportunity Employers.

Apply online at unitedschoolsnetwork.org/join.