Position Overview
The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive advancement plan to support all aspects of philanthropic giving and to create and manage a best-in-class Advancement team. Reporting directly to and working closely with the President of Benilde-St. Margaret’s (BSM), they will have full responsibility for donor engagement, fundraising, stewardship, and management of the day-to-day functions of the BSM Advancement team. Coordinating all activities for annual giving, special events, major gifts, alumnae programs, research, donor relations, corporate and foundation relations, and planned giving. Additionally, they will provide support to the BSM Board of Directors’ Advancement Committee to foster and enhance overall giving.
The CAO will support in word and action the mission and philosophy of the school, and possess a high level of professionalism, integrity, and knowledge of current trends and innovative practices in fundraising. The CAO will have the ability to inspire and effectively manage staff and volunteers; the ability to build and lead teams; excellent writing skills, creativity, intelligence, and flexibility.
Responsibilities to BSM as a Catholic School
Except in the teaching of religion, it is not an essential prerequisite that all employees be Catholic. However, all employees are expected to respect the teaching of the Church. As a leader, ensure that all areas of responsibility are operated consistent with the Catholic mission of the school.
Fundraising
- Actively participate in relational individual donor cultivation and solicitation, serving as the lead major gifts officer.
- Lead the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors and prospects at all giving levels, expanding the school’s fundraising capacity.
- Develop the vision, strategy, and mechanisms of giving to support the School and strategic plans.
- Design, implement and manage all philanthropic activities including but not limited to the annual fund, special events, major gifts, alumnae relations and planned giving to meet the agreed upon goals.
- Responsible for the preparation and management of the annual department budget.
- Manage all strategies and activities for donor cultivation including individuals and corporations, solicitation, and stewardship for annual and long-term financial support of the school.
- Manage the research, writing and submittal of grant proposals to foundations and corporations. Ensure timely reporting and management oversight of each.
- Leverage the President and other key members of the school leadership team as instruments for donor engagement and solicitation.
- Use independent judgment to determine appropriate use of resources for travel to priority destinations nationally, to meet with alumni, friends, corporations and foundations for the purpose of building relationships leading to financial support of the School.
- Oversee the successful integration of capital campaigns with annual giving.
Advancement Committee Relations
- Work with the BSM Board of Directors’ Advancement Committee and the President to foster and enhance philanthropic giving.
- Provide training opportunities for Board Members and other leadership volunteers.
- Assume responsibility for all Advancement reports to the Board of Directors, attend Board of Director meetings as needed.
Advancement Department Infrastructure
- Establish and maintain policies and procedures that ensure the integrity and confidentiality of all donor data.
- Ensure donor records and software systems are maintained to optimize school-wide advancement activities.
- Oversee the data collection and analysis efforts to assure that fundraising efforts are data-influenced, that efficiencies are maximized, and that efforts are properly evaluated.
- Oversee the management of RE NXT databases and all records, files, and gift processing.
- In partnership with the Chief Financial Officer, monitor legal and compliance issues as mandated by federal and state regulations.
- Oversee the monthly and annual giving analysis to meet management and Board of Director needs for planning and decision-making purposes.
Alumni Relations
- Oversee the design and implementation of a comprehensive strategic program to encourage and enhance alumni participation, support, and giving for BSM.
- Manage alumni relationship-building and donor stewardship activities including reunions, special events and other activities.
- Manage the oversight and organization of alumni events, collecting news and information about the members of the alumni for publication, and keeping accurate records of alumni.
- Oversee the continued development of a formal alumni board and support ongoing efforts of the same.
Parent Relations
- Work with the BSM Parent Association to identify and train a core group of volunteers to assist in philanthropic efforts to support the school.
Leadership
- Develop a high performing team that promotes innovation, a culture of giving, accountability and excellence.
- Directly supervise employees in the Advancement Department in accordance with the school’s organizational structure, policies, and applicable laws.
- Interview, hire and train employees; plan, assign and direct work; appraise performance; reward and discipline employees; address complaints and resolve problems.
- Oversee all department administrative considerations and ensure the accuracy and timeliness of all prospects, donor and volunteer communications, lists, reports.
- Serve as a member of the President’s Leadership Team.
Miscellaneous
- Willingness to work flexible hours in a variety of tasks, including evening and weekend work when necessary.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Education / Experience (Minimum Required)
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Five years of academic or non-profit development/advancement experience preferred.
- Five or more years of experience in team management preferred.
- Proven record of fundraising.
- Discretion in handling sensitive and/or confidential information and situations.
- Team player: ability to work effectively with and through others inside and outside the School.
- Ability to work well under pressure to meet deadlines; results-oriented.
- Ability to clearly articulate the vision and mission of the School.
- Ability to proactively identify and address issues as they arise.
- Skilled written and oral communicator.
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