Chief Advancement Officer

Position Summary

Location: Columbus, OH (PAST Education R&D Innovation Lab) | Reports to: President/COO 

A dynamic development professional responsible for accelerating the advancement program in alignment with the recently adopted strategic framework. Working alongside the CEO and President/COO, this person must bring a creative and entrepreneurial approach to design and activate strategies that will help to achieve the organization’s annual contributed income goal of $1M. 

Essential Duties

• Positioning and Outreach: Acquiring new partners and funder prospects by expanding the reach of PAST communications and initiating new relationships
• Strategic Fundraising: Plan and execute campaigns, events, and donor relations to achieve required fundraising targets within defined timeframes
• Development Analysis: Analyze donor trends, segment donors for targeted outreach, and support efforts to expand the donor pipeline in collaboration with development and finance teams
• Compelling Storytelling: Excellent interpersonal communication skills that convey our mission and programming with enthusiasm - drawing connections and long-term relationships
• Planning: Develop a budget and business plan for program implementation over time, growing the capacity of the department as necessitated by organizational goals.
• Major Gift Program: Develop and manage a portfolio of major donors, cultivating five- and six-figure gifts through systematic relationship-building
• Grant Strategy: Identify and pursue foundation, corporate, and government funding opportunities aligned with our educational innovation focus
• Annual Fund: Activate strategies to grow participation in the annual fund, including recruitment of recurring donors
• Pace, Monitor, and Assess Performance: Set qualitative and quantitative goals over a time horizon 
• Database Management: Accurately manage and maintain the DonorPerfect database, including data entry, updating records, generating reports, gift acknowledgements, and ensuring data integrity
• Relationship Management and Stewardship: Ensure that the organization maintains positive engagement with key stakeholders and drives donor loyalty

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, business, communications, marketing, education, or related field
• Experience: Minimum 5-7 years of professional fundraising experience with a proven track record of raising at least $1M annually.
• Database Expertise: Proven experience with DonorPerfect or similar donor management systems, including administration and reporting
• Strong business acumen, proficient with financial documents and accounting 
• Data-Driven Strategies: Appreciation for using data and insights to guide decision making, especially leveraging performance metrics to continuously improve
• Communication: Outstanding written/verbal communication skills with the ability to craft compelling donor materials and social media campaigns 
• Relationship Building: Exceptional interpersonal skills with proven ability to cultivate and steward donor relationships

Work Style:  

• Collaborative, ability to build strong relations internally across functional areas and externally with prospects, donors, and volunteers 
• Creativity and entrepreneurial skills 
• Ability to manage multiple projects effectively, as well as manage and meet deadlines 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills 
• Outstanding attention to detail and organizational skills 
• Diligent work ethic and insatiable desire to learn and develop skills 
• Self-starter, highly motivated 
• Empathetic; cultural sensitivity/awareness 

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) or similar professional certification
• Educational nonprofit or workforce development experience
• Columbus-area / Ohio and National philanthropic market knowledge