Chief Advancement Officer (CAO)
POSITION SUMMARY
The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is a key member of the executive leadership team responsible for driving the organization’s philanthropic growth, brand visibility, and stakeholder engagement. Reporting to the CEO, the CAO oversees development, fundraising, marketing, communications, and brand strategy to ensure alignment with the organization’s mission, values, and strategic plan. Serve as the ARC Development and Marketing liaison to our partners at Seattle Parks and Recreation.
The CAO leads a team that includes fund development professionals, a marketing manager, and related staff. The CAO’s oversight will foster a culture of giving and will position the organization as a leader in community impact, as well as increasing awareness of ARC as a standalone entity.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership
- Serve as a member of the executive team, contributing to organizational strategy, planning, and cross-functional leadership.
- Create and execute a long-term advancement strategy that identifies and secures corporate, foundation, individual, and government partnerships based on annual philanthropy goals.
- Achieve annual philanthropic revenue goals by implementing a strategy that identifies and secures corporate and individual donations as well as identifying potential grant revenue sources.
- Develop and execute a comprehensive marketing strategy that advances the organization’s brand and supports fundraising goals that include both ARC and SPR priorities
- Develop and deploy strategy that integrates fundraising, marketing, and communications.
- Advocate for ARC’s commitment to Race, Equity and Social Justice.
Fund Development
- Lead and manage all fundraising functions, including annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, institutional grants, sponsorships, and donor stewardship.
- Partner with the CEO and Board of Directors to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward top donors.
- Oversee systems and processes for prospect research, donor engagement, and gift processing.
- Develop and monitor revenue projections and fundraising budgets.
- Use new technology strategies to maximize ARC’s reach to Community
- Represent the organization with major donors, funders, media, and key external stakeholders.
Marketing and Communications
- Provide strategic oversight for all branding, marketing, and communications activities.
- Supervise the Marketing Manager and related staff to develop content strategies, campaigns, and messaging.
- Ensure consistency in voice, tone, and messaging across digital, print, and in-person channels.
- Oversee public relations efforts and crisis communication planning.
- Website and social media oversight
Team Leadership and Management
- Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing advancement and marketing team.
- Foster collaboration and professional development among staff in fundraising and marketing.
- Oversee performance management, budgeting, and goal setting for all advancement
- areas.
Race, Equity, and Social Justice
- Champion ARC’s commitment to racial equity and social justice in all fundraising and Marketing practices.
- Partner with leadership to ensure that ARC’s systems and staff culture support equitable access, treatment, and advancement.
