Job Description
Description The Role Responsibilities The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is an executive leader accountable for philanthropic revenue generation and driving marketing and communications to advance the mission of ICAN. This role is responsible for building a strategic and diversified philanthropic revenue portfolio which includes both annual and multi-year revenue sources. Success in the role includes successfully realizing revenue and marketing goals, ensuring the team is high-functioning, the programs and mission are supported through philanthropic investment and a strong brand and market presence are in place. The CAO leads with a people-first approach, prioritizing relationships, team well-being, and a culture of collaboration as a foundation for sustainable philanthropic growth. They will also be committed to ethical, community centered fundraising practices that reflect ICAN’s values. Reporting to the CEO, you will do this through:
- Strategy Development (15%): Actively engages in organizational strategic planning, forecasting, and creative growth opportunities as a member of the executive team. Drives the short and long-term revenue strategy for the organization. With the Advancement Team, builds an annual department operational plan that aligns with the organizational strategic plan. Ensures that department goals, metrics, and individual performance goals are connected with stated operational activities in order to assess and evolve strategies. Provides counsel and recommendations on opportunities for new fundraising and marketing initiatives and programs. Leads the evaluation and readiness of large fundraising initiatives, including planning, feasibility, communication and leadership structure for capital and endowment campaigns. Builds strategy in partnership with the team and cultivates an environment where staff collaborate, contribute ideas, and feel connected to the organization’s purpose.
- Philanthropy (50%): Accountable for the fundraising program and for achieving budgeted revenue goals - centering donor relationships, community trust, and authentic engagement as core drivers of philanthropic success. This program includes both public and private support from annual, major (including planned gifts and endowment), corporation and foundation giving, as well as public grants and annual fundraising events that seek to acquire, grow, and retain philanthropic support. Develops and executes a sustainable major gifts program, in partnership with the CEO. Actively manages a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors. Evaluates and reports on fundraising progress - opportunities and challenges utilizing performance data and indicators, to the CEO and Board (as appropriate). Works closely with key board members and community partners to enhance fundraising efforts and ensures integration between program, finance, and advancement staff on all philanthropic strategies. Elevates and evolves fundraising systems and support infrastructure to generate greater operational efficiencies, such as: moves management, prospect evaluation and qualification, portfolio management, enhanced data utilization, engagement, stewardship and recognition.
- Marketing & Communications (15%): Leads strategy for both internal and external communications and marketing, ensuring goals and activities support organizational strategies. Integrates activities into a department plan that leverages a collaborative and cohesive approach to message development that drives fundraising outcomes, brand engagement and stakeholder engagement (both internal and external). Supports and retains both staff and contractors to elevate the brand, acquire new financial supporters, and increase visibility. Utilizes data to test and broaden marketing and social presence, making data-informed decisions to amplify the ICAN mission, create interest, and enhance individual donor and volunteer engagement. Segment, create journeys, and utilize technology to personalize engagement and belonging for current and prospective donors and stakeholders. Responsible for ICAN’s brand, brand management and compliance, while ensuring messaging prioritizes lived experience and community voice in storytelling. Serves as the primary media point of contact.
- Executive Presence & Leadership (20%): Fosters a culture of transparency, feedback, and psychological safety on the Advancement team and across the organization. Partners with other executive team members in a way that fosters communication, alignment, and productivity. Serves as an ambassador for ICAN in the community and is an engaging and persuasive communicator. Actively participates in the annual budget development and evaluation process with particular emphasis on revenue generation. Engages, as an executive team member, in the overall budget process. Oversees multi-million dollar revenue and associated expense budgeting, including forecasting cash flow, and utilizing metrics and data to evaluate budgetary opportunities and challenges. Supports the Advancement Team through talent acquisition and development, including professional development, department structural design, succession planning within the team, collaboration, performance management, coaching and culture.
Requirements Experience, Skills & Attributes for Success - 10+ years progressive and successful fundraising management and goal attainment. At least five (5) of those years must be in a senior role with budget and supervision responsibilities. CFRE credential strongly preferred, but not required.
- Proven ability to create diverse revenue streams.
- Expertise in building major and/or principal gift programs, including but not limited to capital campaigns, asset-building techniques, and infrastructure supports.
- Facility in using and translating data to inform both decision making and assessment across philanthropy and marketing.
- Excellent management skills that include creating positive culture while at the same time employing an analytical perspective.
- A “collaborative change agent,” who embraces and respects the culture and mission of ICAN.
- Successful use of emotional intelligence to help in navigating internal and external challenges.
- Vision with passion for the mission and a high level of functional expertise.
- Leadership style that supports, stretches, and develops a high-functioning team.
- Innovation and flexibility to grow, evolve and effectively operate in a dynamic external environment.
- Resilience and creative problem solving are essential for success.
Can you help us make a difference in the community? If so, we hope to hear from you.
Job Tags
Temporary work, For contractors,