Chief Advancement Officer

Yale University; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Yale University is seeking a Chief Advancement Officer to serve as the lead fundraiser and strategic partner to the Dean. Reporting to the Dean and serving on the Dean’s executive leadership team, the CAO will shape donor cultivation, engagement, and stewardship while energizing the development team and strengthening connections across campus and with alumni.

The CAO will oversee fundraising, alumni engagement, and advancement operations; align initiatives with institutional goals; mentor staff;

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; ten years in advancement or related leadership.
• Proven success leading fundraising strategy and major gifts.
• Ability to guide complex operations and build relationships across internal and external stakeholder groups.

Responsibilities

• Lead fundraising strategy and donor cultivation.
• Oversee alumni engagement and advancement operations.
• Mentor and empower the advancement team.
• Collaborate with the Dean and represent advancement externally.
• Serve as spokesperson for advancement and external relations.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising strategy

Donor engagement

Alumni engagement

Stakeholder relations

Team mentorship

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The client invites applications and nominations for the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), a dynamic and collaborative leader who will serve as The client’s lead fundraiser and a key strategic partner to the Dean. Reporting to the Dean and serving on the Dean’s executive leadership team, the CAO provides vision and direction for donor cultivation, engagement, and stewardship; energizes and supports The client’s development team; fosters meaningful connections across campus and among alumni; and helps advance The client’s strategic goals as a member of the Dean’s leadership team.

The CAO leads all advancement functions for The client, including fundraising, alumni engagement, and advancement operations. The role requires close partnership with the Dean to align advancement efforts with institutional goals and active representation of The client within university-wide development initiatives. The CAO will develop and lead an advancement strategy; drive meaningful donor cultivation and stewardship; broaden and diversify alumni and constituent engagement; lead advancement operations and organizational management; mentor and empower an advancement team; and serve as The client’s spokesperson for advancement and external relations.

Ideal candidates will bring a significant record of leadership and achievement in advancement, including demonstrated success leading fundraising strategy and securing principal and major gifts. The role expects a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of ten years of relevant experience in academic advancement, development, or related leadership responsibilities; candidates are also expected to bring the ability to guide complex advancement operations and build strong relationships across internal and external stakeholder groups.