Chief Advancement Officer (CAO)

The Company is seeking a Chief Advancement Officer to lead its philanthropic efforts and enhance its capacity for development. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing and leading the school's annual giving strategy, leading capital campaign efforts, and building the school's first endowment. This role requires a professional with a true generalist skill set, capable of moving fluidly between relationship-driven fundraising and strategic storytelling. The Chief Advancement Officer will also be tasked with formalizing corporate and foundation relations, deepening and diversifying the donor base, and scaling the school's development infrastructure to support new initiatives. A key aspect of the role is to partner closely with the Head of School and Board of Directors, serving as a strategic advisor and, when necessary, the public face of the school's philanthropic future. Applicants for the Chief Advancement Officer position at the company should have a Bachelor's degree (advanced degree a plus) and 10-15+ years' of progressive experience in development, communications, or a related field. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in running major campaigns, leading communication initiatives, and experience in K-12 education, independent schools, or nonprofit advancement. A collaborative, relationship-driven style is essential, as is the ability to work with the Board of Directors and the Head of School. The role demands a professional with excellent writing, editing, and presentation skills, who can represent the school with warmth and polish. Resilience, patience, and a genuine enthusiasm for building and creating are also key attributes for the role.