Chief Advancement Officer

Company Description

KIPP Texas Public Schools is a network of 54 public charter, open-enrollment, pre-k-12 schools educating nearly 32,000 students across Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Together with families and communities, our mission is to create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose - college, career, and beyond - so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more fair world.

Founded in Houston in 1994 and operating as KIPP Texas since 2018, we are looking to hire a team of dynamic, collaborative, and dedicated individuals with an unyielding belief that every child will succeed. Join a Team and Family with an unwavering commitment to creating classrooms, offices, and communities rooted in belongingness, academic success and joy. If you are passionate about joining a mission and values-driven community who wants every child to want to run to school, the KIPP Texas Team and Family is for you!

KIPP Public Schools is a national network of public charter schools that prepares students with the skills and confidence to create the future they want for themselves, their communities, and us all. We are a network of 278 schools with nearly 16,500 educators and 190,000 students and alumni.

Job Description

About the Role

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is a strategic executive leader responsible for overseeing all aspects of KIPP Texas’s advancement efforts, including fundraising, advocacy, community partnerships, marketing, communications, and regional boards. As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CAO plays a pivotal role in shaping and executing the organization’s long-term vision, ensuring that KIPP Texas remains financially sustainable, well-positioned in the education landscape, and deeply engaged with external stakeholders. Additionally, the CAO will oversee marketing and communications efforts including brand management, digital marketing, crisis media, and internal communications. 

This leader will drive strategic advancement initiatives that align with KIPP Texas’s mission and multi-year strategic plan, while fostering a strong internal culture of collaboration and accountability. The CAO will be a key external representative of the organization, strengthening relationships with donors, policymakers, community leaders, and the broader KIPP Texas network. Additionally, the CAO will mobilize community leaders, including regional boards of directors, to provide strategic counsel to advance the organization’s goals.

The CAO will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and oversee a team of senior leaders across development, advocacy, community partnerships, communications and marketing, ensuring that these teams work in concert to elevate KIPP Texas’s impact and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership 

• Serve as a member of KIPP Texas’ executive leadership team (Team Texas) and collaborate with the Chief Executive Officer and other Chiefs to advance the mission of KIPP Texas.

• Collaborate with Team Texas to oversee day to day organizational operations, ensuring fiscal sustainability, efficiency and excellence.

• Identify strategic opportunities and risks, and partner with the Chief Executive Officer and Team Texas to develop organizational wide solutions.

• Assist in planning and implementing organizational change management initiatives.

• Attend and participate in internal and external meetings related to KIPP Texas Public Schools

• Serve as a key thought partner to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team and provide expertise on fundraising, external positioning, community relations, communications and marketing.

• Provide high-level insights and recommendations on fundraising, advocacy, community partnerships and regional boards.

• Engage with the state and regional  Boards of Directors to provide updates on advancement initiatives and mobilize board members in fundraising, community partnerships, and advocacy efforts.

• Foster strong relationships with key external stakeholders, including donors, policymakers, community leaders, and partner organizations.

• Represent KIPP Texas at public events, industry conferences, and high-profile meetings to elevate the organization’s brand and impact.

Oversee the Advancement Division

• Establish a vision, direction, and strategy for the advancement division, comprising fundraising, community partnerships, advocacy, marketing and communications.

• Manage a team of senior leaders overseeing fundraising, community partnerships, advocacy, and marketing and communications departments.

• Establish key performance metrics, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement across the Advancement Division.

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing Advancement Team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous growth.

• Provide direct supervision to senior leaders within the Advancement Team, supporting their professional development and leadership effectiveness.

• Create structures for team learning, professional development, and performance management to drive results and innovation.

• Champion our core values amongst the team, ensuring a supportive work environment where all team members can thrive.

• Set clear expectations, provide regular feedback, and ensure alignment with KIPP Texas’s values and goals.

• Monitor and evaluate strategic initiatives that enhance operational effectiveness.

Marketing, Communications, & Brand Management

• Develop and implement a cohesive marketing and communications strategy to strengthen brand awareness, reputation, and engagement.

• Oversee a comprehensive internal communications strategy to ensure communication mechanisms and practices champion KIPP TX mission, model our values, and drive staff engagement.

• Ensure effective crisis communication strategies and media relations.

• Oversee branding efforts across digital platforms, social media, print materials, and events.

• Align messaging with KIPP Texas’s mission and core values, ensuring consistent and impactful storytelling.

• Collaborate with operations and talent divisions to align communication messages to family and employee value propositions through comprehensive marketing initiatives.

• Act as a strategic partner to student enrollment, staff recruitment and development to support functional marketing initiatives, programs, and projects.

Fundraising & Development

• Lead and execute a multi-year comprehensive development strategy focused on ensuring the long-term health of KIPP TX’s fundraising program.

• Annually raise $12M   in critical funds through individuals, foundations, corporations, and government sources.

• Oversee capital campaigns, annual fundraising efforts, special initiatives and events to meet and exceed revenue goals.

• Manage, refine, and redesign development and stewardship events that reflect the needs and fundraising profiles of all regions across the state.

• Cultivate and steward relationships with high-impact donors at all existing and potential new regions, ensuring alignment with KIPP Texas’s priorities.

• Engage the Board in fundraising strategy, supporting their efforts to expand and diversify funding sources.

• Oversee the creation of compelling donor communications, grant proposals, and stewardship materials.

External Relations, Advocacy, & Community Partnerships

• Lead KIPP Texas’s advocacy efforts at the local, state, and federal levels to advance policies that support KIPP Texas’ mission and charter school sustainability.

• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, community leaders, and education policy organizations.

• Develop and oversee community engagement initiatives, empowering KIPP families, staff, and stakeholders to advocate for high-quality public education.

• Ensure KIPP Texas leaders and stakeholders remain informed on legislative developments affecting charter schools and public education funding.

• Develop and manage strategic partnerships with community organizations, businesses, and local leaders to enhance the school’s impact and resources.

• Work collaboratively with the CEO and leadership team to develop and implement communication strategies that enhance the school's reputation.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.

• 10 years of organizational leadership with executive level experience in fundraising, external relations, advocacy or a related field.

• Proven track record of securing significant philanthropic investments, leading large-scale fundraising campaigns, and cultivating high-net-worth donors.

• Experience in nonprofit management, education, or advocacy preferred.

• Experience influencing policy and advocacy efforts at the local and state level.

• Experience leading marketing and communications efforts.

• Knowledge of Texas public education policies and the charter school landscape is a plus.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional executive leadership presence with the ability to inspire trust and confidence, and demonstrate courage and composure, especially under pressure.

• Strong systems level thinking and problem solving skills.

• Excellent collaboration skills with the ability and comfort to lead work across an organization.

• Skilled at balancing day to day operations, driving innovation and change, and managing the long-term health and sustainability of the organization.

• Exceptional relationship-building and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to cultivate trust and credibility with internal and external partners.

• Strategic and innovative thinker with a data-driven approach to decision-making, able to analyze complex issues and develop actionable solutions.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking, negotiation, and persuasive storytelling.

• Ability to lead and manage a high-performing team of senior leaders while fostering a collaborative and results-driven culture.

• Financial acumen, including experience managing budgets, financial forecasting, and aligning financial strategies with organizational goals.

• Ability to navigate a complex, multi-stakeholder environment and drive consensus among diverse groups.

• High level of integrity, accountability, and commitment to KIPP TX’ mission.

• Proficiency with CRM systems, donor management tools, and data analytics platforms to support fundraising and stakeholder engagement.

Additional Information

What We Bring to the Table

• The salary range for this position is $200,000-$250,000 and is commensurate with  experience and internal-equity.

• Competitive vacation and flexible paid time off (PTO) policies.

• Paid family leave.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with varying coverage for employees and their families, inclusive of virtual physician visits. High deductible health plan with HSA also offered.

• Employee assistance programs. 

• Participates in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS).

• 457 Roth retirement plan option with KIPP matching contribution up to $1,200 a year.  403b plans also supported.

• KIPP also offers the following employee-paid benefits: legal plans, LifeLock identity protection, life insurance and disability insurance.

• Flexible spending account or high-yield HSA.

Physical Requirements

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

• Considerable time spent at a desk using a computer/laptop.

• Attending conferences or training sessions. 

Location & Travel

• This role may be based in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, or San Antonio;

• On Site - working from a KIPP Texas region office or in the field Monday through Friday; 

• Regular travel required between KIPP Texas regions and occasional national travel.

KIPP provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.