What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chief Advancement Officer position at Alternative HR LLC?
OPPORTUNITY – About Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
Join a team that is passionate about making a difference and helping our community thrive!
Our mission is to serve as the center for scientific, artistic, cultural and educational activities to enhance the region’s quality of life and economic vitality.
About the Role
The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is a senior leadership role responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that advances the mission of Whitaker Center. The CAO will oversee all aspects of the organization’s advancement activities, including donor engagement, philanthropic partnerships, fundraising campaigns, and external communications. This individual will work closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and other key stakeholders to ensure alignment between fundraising goals and the strategic objectives of the organization. The CAO will also play a critical role in cultivating a culture of philanthropy both internally and externally.
Primary Responsibilities
Qualifications
Attributes
Enthusiastic and Collaborative Team Player
Positive Community and Guest Service Skills
Communications and Judgment
Physical Requirements
Our goal is to empower our guests to improve our world through science, technology, and the arts. We believe every person deserves access to learning and exploring their creativity regardless of background.
Join a team that is passionate about making a difference and helping our community thrive!
Our mission is to serve as the center for scientific, artistic, cultural and educational activities to enhance the region’s quality of life and economic vitality.
About the Role
The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is a senior leadership role responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that advances the mission of Whitaker Center. The CAO will oversee all aspects of the organization’s advancement activities, including donor engagement, philanthropic partnerships, fundraising campaigns, and external communications. This individual will work closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and other key stakeholders to ensure alignment between fundraising goals and the strategic objectives of the organization. The CAO will also play a critical role in cultivating a culture of philanthropy both internally and externally.
Primary Responsibilities
- Fundraising Strategy & Leadership:
- Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy, including annual giving, major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, and planned giving programs.
- Set and achieve fundraising targets to support the organization’s operating and programmatic goals.
- Cultivate and steward a robust portfolio of donors, including individuals, corporations, and foundations.
- Identify and cultivate new philanthropic opportunities, expanding the donor base and funding sources.
- Board & Leadership Engagement:
- Work closely with the CEO and Board of Directors to align fundraising efforts with organizational priorities.
- Partner with board members in their individual fundraising efforts, assisting in prospect identification, cultivation, and solicitation.
- Provide regular updates to the board and senior leadership on progress toward fundraising goals and key donor relationships.
- External Communications & Marketing:
- Oversee the development and execution of a comprehensive external communications strategy, including marketing materials, digital presence, and donor communications.
- Ensure consistent messaging across all channels and promote the organization’s mission, values, and impact.
- Serve as the organization’s spokesperson for key donor and partner engagements, speaking at events, media opportunities, and high-level meetings.
- Donor Stewardship & Relationship Management:
- Develop and implement programs to ensure excellent stewardship of donors at all levels, ensuring long-term relationships and sustained support.
- Organize and attend donor events, cultivation activities, and special functions to engage and retain donors.
- Oversee the preparation of customized proposals, reports, and donor communications.
- Data Management & Reporting:
- Utilize donor management systems and data analytics to track donor giving, forecast future donations, and measure the success of fundraising campaigns.
- Prepare regular reports and presentations for the CEO, Board, and other stakeholders on the status of advancement efforts and key donor trends.
- Collaboration & Team Leadership:
- Collaborate with program, finance, and operations teams to ensure alignment between fundraising activities and the organization’s mission and financial needs.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s degree preferred
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and advancement, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role.
- Proven track record of successfully leading comprehensive fundraising campaigns, including major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, and planned giving.
- Strong understanding of donor relations, including prospect research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Experience working closely with senior leadership and boards of directors in a nonprofit setting.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and writing skills, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse audiences.
- High level of emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
- Familiarity with donor management software and fundraising analytics tools (e.g., Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, etc.).
- Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- servant leader mindset and contributing member of a team with a “we before me” mindset.
- Serve as a member of the leadership team to promote the vision and to develop business strategies for successful operation of Whitaker Center.
- Ability to successfully complete a Pennsylvania State Police Clearance, a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance obtained through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and a Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal History Record Information obtained by submitting a full set of fingerprints to the Pennsylvania State Police or its authorized agent for submission to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Attributes
Enthusiastic and Collaborative Team Player
- Be a collaborative team-oriented individual capable of accomplishing tasks with broad direction and a solution-oriented approach who works effectively with cross-functional teams.
- Poised, self-motivated and a positive influence on team dynamics.
- Strong organizational, time management and planning skills
- Ability to plan and manage multiple projects.
- Ability to make appropriate decisions quickly.
- Ability to work independently to a high standard of reliability and quality.
Positive Community and Guest Service Skills
- Must be a positive, professional representative of Whitaker Center to the community.
- Must have excellent interpersonal and guest service skills.
- Must be able to provide courteous and effective service to the general public, co-workers, and volunteers. Positive and friendly attitude at all times.
- Desire to build and sustain an inclusive and equitable environment, and be part of building the larger Whitaker Center culture and community; particularly with regard to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
Communications and Judgment
- Must have good oral communication skills, including the ability to speak clearly and present to diverse audiences.
- Exhibit strong writing, analytical, presentation and organizational skills. Ability to write, edit, and proofread correspondence and presentation materials for accuracy and style.
- Strong organization skills with an ability to organize, prioritize and balance workloads. Must be flexible and able to manage several projects simultaneously.
- Adaptable with ability to react with appropriate levels of urgency to situations and events that require quick response or turnaround with technical proficiency and problem-solving skills.
- Must be able to maintain confidentiality of all organization information.
- Ability to process information logically and to weigh and make situational decisions.
- Ability to be flexible with day-to-day tasks.
Physical Requirements
- Able to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative requirements.
- Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with legal requirements.
- Must be able to talk, listen and speak clearly on the telephone.
- Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
Our goal is to empower our guests to improve our world through science, technology, and the arts. We believe every person deserves access to learning and exploring their creativity regardless of background.
