Chief Advancement Officer

Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart; Lake Forest (IL); On-site; USD 200,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest, IL, invites applications for the Chief Advancement Officer. The CAO will lead donor cultivation, engagement and stewardship and oversee the school's upcoming $17M capital campaign, reporting to the Head of School.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned advancement professional with deep expertise in major and principal gifts, campaign leadership, and the full spectrum of donor relations.

Qualifications

• Seasoned advancement professional with deep expertise in major and principal gifts.
• Experience leading capital campaigns and donor relations campaigns.
• Strong ability to cultivate and steward donor relationships across constituencies.

Responsibilities

• Oversee donor cultivation, engagement and stewardship.
• Lead the upcoming capital campaign and fundraising strategy.
• Collaborate with school leadership and development team to advance goals.

Skills

Major gifts

Campaign leadership

Donor cultivation

Donor stewardship

Job description

Chief Advancement Officer

Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart ("Woodlands Academy" or "Woodlands") invites applications for the position of Chief Advancement Officer (CAO). With a deep belief in Woodlands' Sacred Heart Identity and all-girls' education, the CAO will oversee all aspects of Woodlands Academy's donor cultivation, engagement and stewardship and lead the school’s upcoming $17M capital campaign. The CAO reports to the Head of School and will play an integral role in advancing the school's strategic goals as part of the leadership team.

Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart, founded in 1858, is a Catholic, independent college preparatory day and boarding school for young women grades 9 through 12. Located in Lake Forest, Illinois, on the North Shore of Chicago, Woodlands Academy enrolls approximately 100 students, which allows for close relationships between faculty, staff, and students. The campus supports both day students and boarders, giving Woodlands a residential dimension that distinguishes it from most independent day schools in the region.

The Chief Advancement Officer will serve as the strategic and tactical leader for all philanthropy and donor relations activities at Woodlands. The CAO is supported by two full-time team members: a Chief Development Officer as well as a Database Specialist/Woodlands Fund Coordinator.

The ideal candidate for the CAO at Woodlands Academy is a seasoned advancement professional who brings deep expertise in major and principal gifts, campaign leadership, and the full spectrum of donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The next CAO will leverage the significant success of students by sharing their stories with the donor base and the broader community.

This is a full-time position that will be performed on site in Illinois. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $200,000 to $225,000 with a generous benefits package.

For more information, please find the full position profile here.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart is an equal-opportunity employer. It does not discriminate against any individual based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, genetic information, age, disability, protected veteran status or being a member of the Reserves or National Guard, or any other classification under state or federal law.