Job Description

TITLE: Chief Advancement Officer

STATUS: Full-time; Exempt

SALARY RANGE: $150,000- $200,000

REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

As a key member of the Executive Team and a strategic thought partner to the Executive Team, the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) serves as the organizational architect for philanthropic strategy, revenue development, and long-range sustainability. This role leads the overall advancement operations including major gifts, individual giving, annual fund, monthly giving, planned giving, community campaigns, corporate partnerships, grants, philanthropic partnerships and special events. The CAO will ensure all activities are aligned with organizational priorities and positioned to grow raised revenue to $12M by 2029.

The CAO oversees a department of 8–12 staff and is responsible for developing and implementing the Strategic plan addressing revenue growth initiatives, stewardship and community engagement. In alignment with the plan, the CAO will be responsible for setting annual departmental goals, establishing clear deliverables, building strong operational systems, and fostering a culture of accountability, high performance, and continuous learning. This role requires exceptional coaching, planning, and organizational skills, along with the ability to develop talent, manage complex initiatives, and leverage data to drive strategy.

In partnership with the Executive Team, and Board of Directors, the CAO plays a visible leadership role in shaping the organization’s philanthropic vision, strengthening donor relationships, and elevating the organization’s public profile. The CAO promotes a culture of philanthropy both internally and externally and helps ensure the organization’s long-term fiscal health.

The CAO will also play a role in the current $25M Capital Campaign, including supporting with the progress toward the plan, timelines, materials, and volunteer committee engagement.

STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Strategy, Operations & Management

• Manage agency revenue streams and philanthropy department expenses to meet budget annually.
• Lead the development and implementation of an integrated, multi‑year advancement strategy encompassing major gifts, annual giving, corporate partnerships, stewardship, grants, volunteer engagement, and special events.
• Build and maintain high-functioning operational systems across the advancement department, including project management, workflow optimization, data integrity, and donor pipeline reporting.
• Engage the Philanthropy team in a planning process to develop a comprehensive annual development plan that aligns with the strategic plan.
• Establish clear departmental and team goals with aligned KPIs, dashboards, and performance monitoring systems.
• Maintain high quality oversight of CRM, and utilize data and metrics, analyze performance and propose countermeasures to ensure goal attainment.
• Manage, coach, and develop staff with an emphasis on accountability, professional growth, high quality deliverables, and cross department collaboration.
• Strengthen internal processes, policies, and communication frameworks to support consistent execution and organizational alignment.

2. Board Partnership

• Serve as Executive Team Liaison to the Board Philanthropy Committee.
• Work with each Board Member on their personal giving, to meet or exceed Board minimum giving commitment.
• Work closely with board members to cultivate and steward donor prospects, support personal philanthropy, and advance organizational fundraising goals.
• Provide quarterly reporting on philanthropic performance, forecasts, and strategic recommendations.

3. Donor Engagement & Portfolio Management

• Oversee the development and execution of a donor engagement strategy and experiences that deepens relationships and enhances acquisition, retention, and lifetime donor value.
• Implement data driven moves management practices and ensure consistent tracking, reporting, and stewardship across donor segments.
• Implement best practices for donor prospecting, cultivation, solicitation, acknowledgement, stewardship and tracking.
• Establish a personal major gifts portfolio, and manage the major gift team’s portfolio performance against established metrics for prospecting, visits, solicitations and stewardship engagement.
• Oversee community campaign activities in partnership with the PR and Marketing department and represent the Foundation and inspire the community in the media, at events, public speaking engagements, network gatherings, and community activities.

4. Philanthropy & Revenue Development

• Ensure the philanthropy department achieves a $10M annual philanthropy goal with major gifts team making up $3.5M- $4M of this goal.
• Lead donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Lead comprehensive fundraising activities across major gifts, annual fund, monthly giving, planned giving, corporate sponsorships, community campaigns, and events.
• Ensure strategies are rooted in data, industry best practices, and long-term relationship-building.

5. Capital Campaign Leadership

• Work alongside the CEO and campaign consultant to support the progress and achievement of milestones in the plan including timelines, materials, and volunteer committee engagement.
• A key contributor to the 3-year $25M Capital Campaign.
• Solicit and secure Board Member’s and Capital Committee Member’s Campaign Gifts.
• Oversee stewardship, manage pledges, and ensure proper recognition upon close of campaign.

6. Other

• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Maintain schedule flexibility, including evenings and weekends as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 10 years fundraising experience with demonstrated progressive leadership.
• CFRE Preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communications, Marketing or equivalent experience.
• Metrics driven and proposes countermeasures in any underperforming areas.
• Passion and commitment to our mission of supporting foster children.
• Ability to engage with high-profile San Diego philanthropists, and business leaders
• Successful track record of working with corporate donors, individual donors and third-party organizations/community partners.
• Creates and drives high-level strategy.
• Patient and savvy relationship builder.
• Outstanding oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Superior attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Excellent organizational, time management, multi-tasking, and planning skills.
• Possesses a strong spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Demonstrates initiative and sound decision making skills.
• Maintains an upbeat and enthusiastic attitude, even under pressure.
• Willingness to jump in and assist colleagues with a variety of tasks across the organization.
• Works evenings and weekends as required for meetings, events and other commitments.
• Must possess reliable personal transportation, current driver’s license in good standing, car registration, and auto insurance.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• This position primarily operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.
• Frequently requires sitting or standing for extended periods.
• May occasionally require lifting and carrying materials (up to 50 lbs.) for events, programs, or office needs.
• May occasionally involve setup and breakdown of equipment in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• May occasionally require walking long distances, standing for extended periods, and working on uneven surfaces or in varying weather conditions.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and via email.
• Visual and auditory acuity are required to perform essential job functions including reading printed and digital materials and interacting with others.
• The employee may be required to move throughout the office to access equipment, files, and interact with team members.
• May occasionally be required to operate a motor vehicle safely for extended periods and must be able to sit for prolonged periods while driving.
• Visual and auditory abilities are necessary to ensure safe operation of vehicles and awareness of road conditions.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

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