Chief Advancement Officer — Education Philanthropy Leader

The Heads Network; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO + personal days

Insurance (medical, dental, vision)

Retirement plan with match

FSA/HSA

Free lunch

Job summary

St. Anne’s-Belfield School in Charlottesville, VA seeks a Chief Advancement Officer to lead fundraising, alumni relations, and annual giving, reporting to the Head of School. The CAO will guide a six‑person advancement team toward ambitious strategic priorities.

Competitive compensation ($200k–$240k) plus comprehensive benefits, PTO, and a mission‑driven culture. Ideal candidate combines donor engagement mastery with strategic partnership across school leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 7–10 years of senior‑level advancement/fundraising experience.
• Proven success with solicitation, stewardship, major gifts, annual funds, and campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead a comprehensive advancement strategy — including annual giving, major and planned gifts, capital campaigns, endowment growth, grants, and other philanthropic initiatives.
• Solicit, steward, and cultivate alumni, past and current parents/guardians, grandparents, faculty/staff, and foundations.
• Create annual and multi‑year strategic fundraising plans for the Advancement team, with particular emphasis on metrics, KPIs, and goals to ensure sustainable programmatic growth.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with donors: alums, parents/guardians, foundations, community partners, and friends of St. Anne's-Belfield.
• Work with the Head of School and Board of Trustees to identify philanthropic priorities and shape fundraising priorities.
• Provide leadership and oversight to the Advancement Office: donor communications, stewardship, family and alumni relations, development events, fundraising database management, and reporting.
• Cultivate, maintain, and steward an active portfolio of major donor prospects and solicit leadership gifts as appropriate.
• Work closely with Enrollment Management, Academics, Arts, Athletics, Student Life, Residential Life, Finance, and Facilities leadership to align advancement initiatives with St. Anne's-Belfield overarching priorities.
• Oversee the planning and coordination of signature events that engage key stakeholders and strengthen community bonds.
• As a member of the Senior Administrative Leadership Team, contribute to schoolwide planning, resource allocation, and strategic decision‑making.
• Serve as a public ambassador and representative for St. Anne's-Belfield — with alumni, parents/guardians, donors, community partners, and external stakeholders — building external relationships.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Communication skills

Donor relations

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred (MBA/M.Ed)

Job description

St. Anne’s-Belfield School in Charlottesville, VA seeks a Chief Advancement Officer to lead fundraising, alumni relations, and annual giving, reporting to the Head of School. The CAO will guide a six‑person advancement team toward ambitious strategic priorities.

Competitive compensation ($200k–$240k) plus comprehensive benefits, PTO, and a mission‑driven culture. Ideal candidate combines donor engagement mastery with strategic partnership across school leadership.