Chief Advancement Officer (CAO)

In Catholic schools and ministries, advancement is more than fundraising&mdash;it is&nbsp;<strong>evangelization through relationship</strong>. The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) or Director of Advancement serves as a&nbsp;<strong>strategic leader, relationship architect, and mission ambassador</strong>, helping to build a culture of generosity that sustains and strengthens Catholic education and ministry.

Nationwide

ACELA Solutions

ACELA Solutions secures leaders, develops and strengthens teams, and delivers strategic guidance to advance the mission of Catholic schools, dioceses, religious communities, and social ministries across the nation. https://acelasolutions.com/

keywords: job description,why join?,planning,leadership,education,experience,knowledge,ideal candidate

Full Time

Overview: <p>✝️ A Calling Rooted in Mission</p> <p>Through&nbsp;<strong>ACELA&rsquo;s Leadership Readiness Network</strong>, we are developing a trusted network of Catholic advancement professionals discerning service in schools, dioceses, and religious ministries. This is not an active job vacancy, but a proactive invitation to prepare for future opportunities with mission, clarity, and connection.<br /><br /></p> <p>🛤️ Why Join&nbsp;<em>ACELA&rsquo;s Leadership Readiness Network</em>?</p> <p><strong>The Leadership Readiness Network</strong> is ACELA&rsquo;s confidential talent and discernment initiative that brings together mission-aligned leaders open to future opportunities. Participants gain:</p> <ul> <li>One-on-one career discernment and strategic coaching</li> <li>Priority access to&nbsp;<strong>interim and permanent advancement roles</strong>, including&nbsp;<strong>confidential and unadvertised searches</strong></li> <li>Optional coaching and mentoring from advancement veterans</li> <li>Invitations to exclusive leadership development opportunities</li> <li>Connection to a national cohort of Catholic leaders in advancement, stewardship, and community building</li> </ul> <p>Joining <strong>ACELA&rsquo;s Leadership Readiness Network</strong>&nbsp;ensures you&rsquo;re not only considered for emerging roles but equipped to lead them faithfully and effectively.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>🧭 Advancement Role Overview</p> <p>The Chief Advancement Officer (or Director of Advancement) is responsible for building and executing the institution&rsquo;s advancement strategy, encompassing&nbsp;<strong>fundraising, donor relations, communications, alumni engagement, and mission promotion</strong>. This leader works closely with the Head of School, President, or Executive Director to secure resources, build relationships, and articulate the value of Catholic education or ministry to a wide audience. Whether at the school, diocesan, or nonprofit level, the Advancement leader plays a vital role in ensuring&nbsp;<strong>mission sustainability and institutional vitality</strong>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>
Responsibilities: <p>🌟 Leadership Focus Areas</p> <ul> <li>Create and lead a comprehensive advancement plan aligned with the organization&rsquo;s mission and goals</li> <li>Cultivate major donor, foundation, and corporate relationships to advance key priorities</li> <li>Guide annual, capital, planned giving, and endowment fundraising efforts</li> <li>Oversee donor stewardship, acknowledgment, and recognition strategies</li> <li>Develop compelling messaging and case materials for various constituents</li> <li>Lead alumni engagement and community relations initiatives</li> <li>Manage advancement operations, CRM systems, and reporting structures</li> <li>Collaborate with leadership, board, and stakeholders to foster a culture of philanthropy</li> </ul>
Requirements: <p>🧠 Ideal Candidate Profile</p> <p>Advancement leaders come from varied sectors&mdash;education, non-profit, foundation work, business development, or alumni relations. The common thread is a&nbsp;<strong>passion for mission, strong relationship instincts, and strategic leadership</strong>.</p> <p>The ideal candidate will:</p> <ul> <li>Be a&nbsp;<strong>practicing Catholic</strong>&nbsp;who understands and values the Church&rsquo;s educational and ministerial mission</li> <li>Possess excellent communication, storytelling, and relationship-building skills</li> <li>Demonstrate successful experience in campaign strategy, donor engagement, or constituent relations</li> <li>Thrive in team settings and collaborative leadership structures</li> <li>Lead with humility, professionalism, and Gospel-rooted conviction</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>🎓 Typical Qualifications</p> <ul> <li>Bachelor&rsquo;s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE certification preferred</li> <li>5&ndash;10 years of experience in advancement, development, communications, or institutional strategy</li> <li>Proven track record of cultivating major gifts and building advancement infrastructure</li> <li>Familiarity with Catholic school, diocesan, or nonprofit ministry settings</li> <li>Strong project management and database/CRM fluency (e.g., Raiser&rsquo;s Edge, Salesforce, etc.)</li> <li>A mission-first mindset grounded in servant leadership and stewardship principles</li> </ul>