ROLE DESCRIPTION
Chief Advancement Officer
This position offices in-person, on-campus
ROLE SUMMARY
The new executive-level role of Chief Advancement Officer will be responsible for establishing the vision and developing the strategy, goals and objectives needed to expand the school’s culture of generosity through the ministry of fundraising. Reporting directly to the Head of School, this individual is responsible for sustaining and growing revenues from all constituents, including individual donors, corporate and foundation giving, planned giving, and special events. In addition to meeting the annual fund goals and raising funds for special projects, plans to launch a significant capital campaign in the near future and expand endowment support as an ongoing fundraising endeavor are also important initiatives of the school that this role will help champion. Providing inspirational leadership to and maximizing the potential of a team of Advancement professionals are also important areas of focus. Although this position is not focused directly on students, the Chief Advancement Officer’s work will benefit present and future students as this individual combines faith and work within Valor’s Christ-centered environment and in partnership with parents.
Valor Christian High School is a decidedly Christian, college preparatory school whose core values honor a biblical foundation. Valor employees are faith-filled, joyful believers who are active in a local, Christian church whose beliefs are in alignment with the school’s Statement of Beliefs. They are both called and committed to the school’s vision and mission and seamlessly integrate faith into their daily work. You will be most successful if you have a true servant’s heart, a teachable spirit, a love for the Lord Jesus Christ, and a commitment to the school’s beliefs and values.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Possess and Model a Growing Relationship with Christ
- Pursue full devotion to Christ and live a life that reflects that authenticity.
- Model the fruits of the spirit in communications, relationships and daily work.
- Demonstrate teachability and a willing heart for service.
- Embody others-centered, servant-leadership in all interactions.
- Demonstrate Trustworthy Commitment to Valor’s Christian Community
- Accept and uphold Valor’s values and beliefs as found in the Statement of Beliefs, Christian Community Policy, and Valor Culture Document.
- Accept and abide by all affirmations in Valor’s Annual Statement of Commitment.
- Be relationally involved in the life/lives of our students with a heart of service and mission.
- Seamlessly and deliberately integrate Biblical truth and Christian values into daily work.
- Develop and champion Valor’s fundraising and donor engagement strategies
- Develop the vision and strategies to expand the current base of philanthropic revenue sources for the school consistent with a relationally-based donor-centric culture of generosity.
- Oversee the school’s annual fund initiatives related to planning, managing, and executing a comprehensive, diversified, and strategic advancement and communications campaign.
- Ensure the creative, strategic, and thoughtful expansion of Valor’s donor engagement program including recruiting, inspiring and training volunteers for all appropriate development efforts including Valor’s ambassador committees.
- Oversee the gift reporting, acknowledgement, recording and management of databases as it relates to families, alumni, donors, friends and volunteers.
- Identify, cultivate and steward the relationships of significant donors of impact.
- Oversee efforts to develop and maintain an organized alumni association, to encourage their involvement in school functions and activities, and to encourage giving.
- Oversee future capital campaigns and the development and execution of the necessary feasibility studies.
- Manage Valor’s Advancement Team
- Demonstrate clear vision and provide inspirational leadership and exceptional management and team engagement skills based on a proven track record.
- When engaging with other departments of the school, model and develop a collaborative approach for the advancement team to ensure the success of fundraising in all areas of Valor.
- Provide regular and honest performance feedback, including semi-annual and annual performance evaluations, to better support the professional growth of each Advancement team member.
- Serve as Thought Leader for Developing Advancement Priorities and Strategies
- Provide comprehensive and effective support for the Head of School in all matters related to Advancement.
- Provide research, background information, appropriate materials and recommend strategies to enhance engagement with constituents and donors.
- Represent the Advancement team within Valor's Engagement Team, responsible for planning, implementing, and communicating Valor's comprehensive business and engagement plan, including community outreach, communication strategies, and event coordination.
- Collaborate with the marketing and communications team to create content that enhances engagement and raises awareness of fundraising initiatives.
- Serve Wholeheartedly as an Exceptional Teammate
- Uphold and embody Valor’s culture as set forth in the Valor Culture Document.
- Model servant leadership, grace and love in all relationships and interactions.
- Develop relationships with colleagues with goals of teamwork, relational unity and spiritual growth.
- Provide team support regarding all matters, processes and initiatives.
- Demonstrate loyalty to teammates in action and word.
- Assist Team members to facilitate school-wide wins.
- Demonstrate a Commitment to Fulfilling Valor’s Vision and Mission
- Assume collaborative responsibility for Operating Plan Goals and Fiscal stewardship.
- Be a ‘culture-keeper’.
- Demonstrate a Commitment to Growth
- Participate in Valor Team meetings, Chapel and weekly meetings with Team/Supervisor.
- Demonstrate teachability and receptivity to feedback.
- Pursue professional/personal/spiritual growth and development.
- Participate in the broader ministry of Valor by contributing of time, talent and treasure beyond assigned role responsibilities.
RELATIONSHIPS
- Head of School
- Director of Advancement
- Engagement Team
- Advancement Coordinator
- Alumni Engagement Manager
- Advancement Committee Members
- Finance and Accounting team
RESULTS
Through the generosity of donors, our students are better prepared to live out our vision to prepare tomorrow’s leaders to transform the world for Christ. Through this individual’s work, the financial resources are available to fulfill God’s call on our ministry and to achieve our short-term and long-term strategic objectives.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in business, finance or a related field required.
- 4+ years of fundraising experience with increasing professional responsibilities and demonstrated success in meeting targets of $5M+ in annual giving and $20M+ in capital and/or endowment giving, preferred.
- 2+ years of experience and high familiarity with best practices using an industry-standard donor database, preferred.
Skills and Software
- Excellent interpersonal skills to establish, build and maintain effective relationships.
- High integrity—truthfulness, meeting commitments, keeping confidences.
- Exceptional understanding of private philanthropy and major gifts fundraising.
- Excellent communication skills, oral and written.
- Demonstrated leadership in managing an advancement team with the ability to inspire and guide others.
- Self-motivated ability to work with limited supervision, willing to handle concurrent tasks and make appropriate judgments and decisions.
- Proficiency with Mac computers, Microsoft Office, Google Suite (Mail, Docs, Drive, Calendar), donor database systems preferred.
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.
Credentials
- Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) certification, or equivalent, in hand or underway, preferred.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The same basic physical demands described here are the same for all employees to successfully perform the essential functions of their jobs. Employees must periodically lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and could occasionally be required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, color vision, peripheral/depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics are varied and include classroom, office, and outdoor events while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is also varied.
POSITION TYPE: Year-round schedule. 12-Month Calendar. This position offices in-person, on-campus.
HOURS PER WEEK: Full-time, Exempt
SUPERVISOR: Head of School
BENEFITS:
- Paid holidays, sick leave, vacation leave, and personal days.
- Medical, dental, vision and life insurance.
- 403(B) Retirement Plan with immediate vesting and employer contribution matching.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Three on-campus dining options for daily lunch.
PAY RANGE: $125,000 – $185,000
START DATE: October 1st, 2024
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