Chief Advancement Officer

Classical Christian; Midwest (WY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement

Tuition discounts

Job summary

Classical School of Wichita seeks a mature Christian leader to serve as Chief Advancement Officer on its executive team, guiding fundraising, admissions, marketing, communications, and major events. Reporting to the Head of School, the CAO oversees Admissions and Communications and partners with faculty and donors to advance the school's mission.

The ideal candidate combines strategic vision with relational leadership, operational excellence, and a passion for classical Christian education,

Qualifications

• A mature Christian faith and faithful church membership aligned with the school's statement of faith.
• Agreement with Westminster Confession of Faith or London Baptist Confession of Faith.
• Strong commitment to Classical School of Wichita's mission and vision.
• Relational fundraising, donor development, admissions, marketing and communications experience.
• Understanding and appreciation for classical Christian education.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, organizational, and leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual fundraising, capital campaigns, and major gift initiatives.
• Develop and implement an advancement plan with measurable goals.
• Oversee admissions strategy and enrollment efforts.
• Oversee branding, marketing, public relations, and messaging.
• Provide strategic oversight for major schoolwide events and gatherings.
• Serve on the executive leadership team and manage budgets/resources.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Strategic leadership

Communications

Alumni relations

Job description

Position Description

Position Start Date:July 1, 2027
Application Review and Interviews:Beginning Immediately
Anticipated Completion of Search:December 15, 2026

ABOUT CLASSICAL SCHOOL OF WICHITA

Founded in 2006, Classical School of Wichita (CSW) is a thriving classical Christian school serving nearly 500 students in kindergarten through 12th grade in Wichita, Kansas. CSW is committed to partnering with Christian families to cultivate wisdom, virtue, and godliness through an education rooted in the historic Christian faith and the classical liberal arts.

CSW is a member of the Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS) and the Society for Classical Learning (SCL). The school holds national accreditation through the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA) and ACCS.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Classical School of Wichita is seeking a mature Christian and accomplished leader to serve as its next Chief Advancement Officer (CAO).

The Chief Advancement Officer serves on the school’s executive leadership team and provides strategic leadership for fundraising, donor relations, admissions, marketing, communications, and major schoolwide events. Reporting directly to the Head of School, the CAO oversees the Director of Admissions and Director of Communications, ensuring a coordinated approach to institutional advancement.

The ideal candidate is a mission-driven leader who combines strategic vision with strong relational skills, organizational excellence, and a passion for classical Christian education.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising and Development

• Lead annual fundraising, capital campaigns, and major gift initiatives.
• Cultivate lasting relationships with donors, foundations, alumni, and community partners.
• Develop strategies for long-term financial sustainability through charitable giving.
• Create and execute an annual advancement plan with measurable goals and outcomes.

Admissions and Enrollment

• Provide leadership and oversight for the Director of Admissions.
• Strengthen strategies for attracting, enrolling, and retaining mission-aligned families.
• Monitor recruitment, admissions, and enrollment goals.

Communications and Marketing

• Provide leadership and oversight for the Director of Communication.
• Oversee institutional branding, marketing, public relations, and messaging.
• Ensure consistent communication of the school’s mission, philosophy, values, and vision.

Schoolwide Events

• Provide strategic oversight for major schoolwide events and institutional gatherings.
• Coordinate with administrators, staff, and volunteers to deliver excellent, mission-driven events.
• Oversee major fundraising events and community celebrations.

Executive Leadership

• Serve as a proactive and collaborative member of the executive leadership team.
• Supervise, support, and evaluate advancement department staff.
• Manage departmental budgets and resources effectively.
• Contribute to the school’s strategic planning and long-term institutional development.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following qualifications.

• A mature Christian faith and faithful membership in a local church aligned with the school’s statement of faith.
• General agreement with either the Westminster Confession of Faith or the London Baptist Confession of Faith.
• A strong commitment to the mission and vision of Classical School of Wichita.
• Working knowledge of relational fundraising, donor development, admissions, marketing, communication platforms, school management systems, event management, grant writing, foundations, theology, and business.
• An understanding of and appreciation for classical Christian education.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, organizational, and leadership abilities.
• Strategic thinking, personal initiative, sound professional judgment, and the ability to work independently.
• A commitment to ongoing professional growth and continuous improvement.

POSITION DETAILS AND COMPENSATION

This is a full-time, twelve-month executive leadership position beginning July 1, 2027. The CAO maintains administrative office hours throughout the year, including the summer, and participates in occasional evening and weekend events. The position reports directly to the Head of School and is evaluated annually.

Compensation is commensurate with experience and comparable executive leadership positions in Christian education. Benefits may include health insurance, retirement, and tuition discounts.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Dr. Timothy Dernlan
Head of School
Classical School of Wichita
[e-mail]

Applications and interviews will begin immediately, with the goal of concluding the search by December 15, 2026.

Anticipated Start Date: July 1, 2027

Classical School of Wichita welcomes applications from qualified Christian leaders who desire to advance the mission of classical Christian education and contribute to the long-term flourishing of the school.