Chief Advancement Officer, Menlo College (Atherton)

About the role

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) leads Menlo College's $100 million comprehensive campaign in anticipation of the College’s centennial in 2027. Currently in the silent phase, over $60 million has been raised.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, management, and mentoring to Advancement staff; provide guidance on best practices and strategy
• Partner with the President and other College leadership, Advancement staff, and Menlo College trustees in order to deliver effective strategies for donor engagement
• Develop, refine and implement strategies for fundraising that maximize giving
• Inspire and direct the work of the Advancement team in order to implement fundraising programs using donor cultivation and stewardship opportunities that maximize giving
• Manage an active portfolio of major donors and prospects by creating and implementing personalized cultivation and stewardship plans and gift requests for each donor within portfolio; assume responsibility for cultivating other donors as appropriate
• Play a leading role in fundraising and ensure Menlo College’s ability to cultivate and solicit major donors, foundations, and corporations to significantly increase contributions
• Analyze reports on donor interactions to make strategic decisions to maximize giving opportunities; prepare and present information and progress to Menlo College’s senior leadership team, the board, and partners

Qualifications

• Seasoned fundraising professional with proven ability to help create and achieve goals of a multi-year, multi-strategy development plan; at least eight years’ fundraising experience and five years of experience supervising staff
• Experience in building and expanding a development effort by making use of moves management, wealth screening, major gift solicitation, and other development tools
• Demonstrated experience overseeing complex or multiple projects through to success, including meeting financial goals and coordinating the work of key staff and volunteers
• Demonstrated success in fundraising with a track record of soliciting and closing five-and six-figure gifts, with experience in seven- and eight-figure gifts a plus; experience with foundations, and corporations strongly preferred
• Experience in developing and/or leading capital or comprehensive campaigns
• Experience leading the planning and execution of small- and large-scale fundraising events
• Experience liaising with a board and/or board committees
• Experience working in an organization that uses long-term planning and Key Performance Indicators or dashboards in the management of staff and operations
• Understands databases (preferably RaisersEdge) and has high comfort level analyzing and applying data to hone strategies and achieve goals using wealth screening data
• Experience with donor relations, preferentially alumni
• Strongly Preferred: Professional experience in higher education

Skills

• Exceptional leadership skills, with a collaborative spirit and strong management skills; demonstrated ability to inspire and motivate staff, board, donors, and volunteers a must
• Strong strategic and implementation skills; ability to grasp the opportunities and challenges of the organization and the role
• Works well as a team with senior management and seen as a partner with organizational leadership (e.g., a President/CEO/ED)
• Comfort with and possessing strong presentation skills
• Outstanding communicator; excellent speaking, writing, and interpersonal skills

Personal Characteristics

• Passion for the mission and values of Menlo College
• Strategic thinker
• Personable and enthusiastic; a relationship builder
• Flexible and adaptable
• Works well under pressure
• Strong emotional intelligence, especially in empathy, self-awareness, and active listening
• Thrives in a goal-oriented, dynamic, and entrepreneurial environment
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion values
• Ability to work on-site on the Menlo College campus
• Willingness to travel, as needed, to build relationships and implement programs

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Advanced degree preferred
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential a plus

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $185,000-$235,000 and includes a benefits package.

To Apply

Brakeley Search is conducting this search on an exclusive basis on behalf of Menlo College. Interested candidates should apply via email by sending a resume and a letter outlining qualifications as PDF or Word documents to Chelsea Burr at CBurr@BrakeleySearch.com with “Menlo College” in the subject line.

Inquiries may be made, in confidence, to Scott Staub, Managing Director, at SStaub@BrakeleySearch.com.

EEO Statement

Menlo College is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong commitment to diversity.