Chief Advancement Officer - College of Engineering

The Goddard School of Deerfield; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement savings program

Free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass

Paid time off and holidays

Fitness center access

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University seeks a Chief Advancement Officer for the College of Engineering, responsible for strategic fundraising and alumni relations. This role will collaborate closely with the Dean to implement an effective advancement strategy and is pivotal in engaging donors.

The ideal candidate should have extensive development experience, excellent management skills, and a track record in cultivating relationships with donors. The position offers full-time employment in Pittsburgh, PA with a range of benefits including tuition assistance and medical insurance.

Qualifications

• At least ten years of experience in advancement or development.
• Experience in a management or leadership role for at least five years.
• Proven success in developing relationships with leadership and donors.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and management of fundraising and alumni engagement.
• Cultivate and solicit individual and foundation donors.
• Coordinate with central foundation relations and university advancement.

Skills

Leadership and management

Major gift fundraising

Excellent writing and interpersonal skills

Cultural sensitivity

Education

Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred

Job description

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) seeks a seasoned and inspirationalfundraising professional to serve as the next Chief AdvancementOfficer (CAO) for the College of Engineering. Joining Dean Burcu Akinci at the outset of her tenureand serving as an integral member of the Dean’s senior managementteam, the CAO will provide bold strategic vision, leadership, anddirection for all fundraising, alumni engagement, and stewardshipactivities for COE. This is a unique opportunity for a provendevelopment professional to partner with a dynamic and energeticdean to further advance and deliver on the College’s mission.

The new CAO will join the College of Engineering at a moment oftransition, working with a new dean who is a long-standing memberof the College of Engineering in a variety of academic andleadership roles, and at a moment of reflection andreprioritization following the end of a comprehensive campaign . The CAO will serveas a key partner as the Dean frames and realizes her vision forCOE, and will provide leadership and management for the vision,direction, planning, and execution of fundraising and alumnirelations activities for the College. This individual will bring athoughtful, proactive, collaborative, and entrepreneurial approachto leveraging COE’s existing relationships as well as positioningthe Dean and other key leadership to connect with philanthropists,entrepreneurs, alumni, and business leaders who may not yet beengaged with the College.

The CAO will inherit a high-performing team specializing inindividual gifts, corporate philanthropy, and foundation support,as well as alumni relations. The CAO will lead the team to launchsystematic initiatives to identify and cultivate the nextgeneration of donors – domestically and internationally – whilemaintaining and strengthening ties to existing donors and seekingout new philanthropic opportunities. The CAO will lead by example,carrying a personal portfolio of major gift prospects.

The CAO will be active and visible on campus and in the greatercommunity and will possess a deep appreciation for and the abilityto clearly articulate the role and importance of a researchuniversity, as well as the achievements and aspirations of COE, toa broad and diverse audience.

Core responsibilities include:

Advancement Strategy and Leadership

• Provide leadership and management of the vision, direction,planning, and execution of fundraising and alumni engagementactivities for the College of Engineering.
  
  
• Serve as a senior advisor to the Dean and a key member of theCollege’s leadership team in shaping and implementing acomprehensive and effective advancement strategy.
  
  
• Identify, articulate, and prioritize fundraising and engagementopportunities aligned with the College’s strategicobjectives.
  
  
• Set strategy for and support the Dean’s and senior facultymembers’ advancement and external engagement activities.
  
  

Fundraising & External Engagement

• Lead the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship ofindividual and foundation donors in support of the College.
  
  
• Personally manage a portfolio of major and principal giftprospects and donors, including alumni and philanthropicleaders.
  
  
• Collaborate with faculty and academic leadership to translateresearch and educational strengths into compelling fundraisingopportunities.
  
  
• Engage with the Dean’s Advocacy Council , setting their collectivesights on the new Dean’s priorities. Set strategy for recruitment,engagement, and stewardship of the College’s advisory boards,councils, and volunteer leaders.
  
  

Collaboration and Integration

• Coordinate with central foundation relations, major giftofficers, planned giving officers, CAOs of other colleges, andother teams to secure increased investment in the College ofEngineering.
  
  
• Collaborate closely with central university advancementdepartments, including donor relations, alumni relations,advancement services, and strategic philanthropicinitiatives.
  
  
• Partner with advancement information services to define,measure, and report on advancement outcomes and performance.
  
  
• Closely liaise with the College’s Partnership Office to identify andinteract with prospective donors who also represent industry and orgovernment entities.
  
  

Operations, Reporting, and Management

• Report on the results of all advancement activities related tothe College of Engineering.
  
  
• Manage the College’s interest in the University’s database ofdonors and prospects in alignment with University standards andsystems.
  
  
• Devise and implement metrics to measure the performance of theadvancement activities within the College of Engineering.
  
  
• Develop and manage the advancement office budget and allocateresources to support strategic priorities.
  
  

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and evaluate the performance of professional andsupport staff engaged in advancement and alumni relations.
  
  
• Build a high-performing, collaborative, and service-orientedadvancement team.
  
  

The next CAO will have proven success leading development staffthrough the process of setting and achieving annual and long-rangefundraising goals with an ability to transform new ideas intoexecutable and enduring programs. The successful candidate must bea self-starter who operates with a sense of urgency and thinksstrategically, analytically, and entrepreneurially, as well as aseasoned team leader adept at maximizing, leveraging, andadvocating for a talented staff, and facilitating teamsuccess.

Lastly, the next CAO must possess a demonstrated commitment to thehighest ethical standards and exhibit the credibility, maturity,and sophistication to effectively engage and partner with keyinternal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications:

• At least ten years of progressively responsible advancement ordevelopment experience in higher education, with at least fiveyears in a management or leadership role; experience in a campaignenvironment is strongly preferred.
  
  
• Advanced knowledge of major gift fundraising, corporate andfoundation giving, and comprehensive campaigns.
  
  
• Demonstrated success in developing and managing relationshipswith deans, faculty leaders, volunteer leadership, and major donorsor prospects.
  
  
• Staff and program management experience in a complexorganization.
  
  
• Excellent writing, interpersonal, analytical, andorganizational skills.
  
  
• Ability to initiate, analyze, monitor, evaluate, and adaptstrategic advancement plans to achieve revenue and engagementgoals.
  
  
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively with adiverse alumni and donor population, domestically andinternationally.
  
  
• In-depth knowledge of university governance, administration,and operations.
  
  
• Strong supervisory, coaching, and mentoring skills.
  
  
• High level of integrity, discretion, and sound judgment.
  
  
• Energetic, self-motivated, adaptable, and collaborativeleadership style.
  
  
• Commitment to the mission and values of the University and theCollege of Engineering.
  
  
• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred orequivalent combination of education and experience.
  
  

Requirements:

• Successful completion of a pre-employment backgroundcheck
  
  

Additional Information:

NOMINATION AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES:

Carnegie Mellon University has retained Isaacson Millerto assist in this important search.

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are welcome.Applications should include a cover letter and resume.

Apply via Isaacson Miller’s candidate portal: Chief Advancement Officer – College ofEngineering

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:

Jack Gorman

[e-mail]

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptionalbenefits.

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array ofbenefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, andvision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employercontributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits , take well-deserved breaks withample paid time off and observed holidays , and rest easy with life and accidentaldeath and disability insurance.

Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit buspass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigatechildcare needs, fitness center access , and much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, exploreour Benefits page .

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extendingoffers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role andresponsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledgegained through education and training. We appreciate your uniqueskills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is aboutmore than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for yourprofessional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with anexceptional organization?! Apply today!

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function

University Administration and Management

Position Type

Staff – Regular

Full Time/Part time

Full time

Pay Basis

Salary

More Information:

• Please visit “ Why Carnegie Mellon ” to learn more aboutbecoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that changethe world.
  
  
• Click here to view a listing of employee benefits
  
  
• Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal OpportunityEmployer/Disability/Veteran .
  
  
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