Overview
We are seeking a dynamic and visionary Chief Strategy Advancement Officer to lead our organization’s strategic initiatives and drive sustainable growth.
This executive-level role requires a passionate leader who excels in strategic management, operational excellence, and business development. The Chief Strategy & Advancement Officer (CSAO) is dedicated to providing energetic leadership, vision, and strategic direction to grow the base of philanthropic support for FLPF and the Library. As the chief fundraising strategist, the CSAO will: work closely with the CEO/Executive Director and other senior leadership to drive strategic priorities; support the Board in its fiduciary role related to philanthropic activities; provide hands-on management and mentorship to Advancement team direct reports; and assume responsibility for a portfolio of leadership level donors/prospects. The CSAO has oversight of Individual Philanthropy, Institutional Giving, and Development Operations. This includes managing a department of approximately 10 individuals including 3 direct reports.
This is hybrid position – three days per week. Evenings and weekends as required for outreach and events. Must have reliable ability to travel around the city of Philadelphia.
Responsibilities
- Serve as thought-partner to the CEO/Executive Director on organizational priorities, staffing needs, Board relations, and revenue/fundraising/portfolio management strategies, to align philanthropic opportunities with program initiatives and resource requirements
- Produce and regularly update a diversified, metrics-driven Development Plan in conjunction with the CEO/Executive Director and in consultation with the Board
- Oversee the creation and execution of implementation plans to achieve Development Plan goals and address evolving budget realities, including underlying processes for greatest efficiency and results
- Regularly evaluate development progress based on agreed-upon metrics
- Provide expertise, leadership and direction in all aspects of fundraising to the Advancement team and the Development Committee of the Board of Directors
- Work collaboratively with leadership (CEO/Executive Director, Board, senior leadership) on prospect and donor management, including planned, consistent cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
- Serve as the staff liaison to the Board and Development Committee, in support of planning and execution of Board fundraising goals
- Prepare leadership and Board to solicit gifts and provide support through the cultivation and solicitation process
- Actively steward, engage and cultivate major donors, and develop strategies to uncover new leadership prospects
- Build and execute a corporate sponsorship program aligned with underwriting opportunities, campaigns, and special or periodic events
- Oversee the continued enhancement of private foundation and governmental funding relationships, and associated grants management systems and practices
- Providing regular reports on Advancement activities to leadership
- Manage Advancement staff through mentorship, goal-setting, and ongoing professional development
- Create and deploy performance management tools to measure the Advancement team’s success, encouraging a culture of continuous improvement
- Work collaboratively across departments (e.g., Finance, Programs) to fulfill funder reporting requirements
- Work with Finance to ensure proper accounting for donations and sponsorships
- Cultivate and sustain committed relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Represent the CEO/Executive Director with respect to internal management needs, as directed, for continuity and oversight of strategic and tactical priorities
- Represent the organization at public and private events and forums throughout the year
Other duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.
Skills/Competencies
- Excellent analytical and problem solving skills, including the ability to identify, consult on, and resolve issues that impact organizational needs and priorities
- Strong management skills, with a focus on mentorship, positivity, personal accountability, promotion of a strong work ethic and high performance, and professional development
- Demonstrated experience in building a positive organizational culture
- Exceptional oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
- Comfortable with ambiguity; adaptive to evolving circumstances and processes
Required education and experience
- Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred
- Minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in development/advancement, including five (5) years in a senior leadership position
- Deep knowledge of trends in philanthropy at the local, regional, and national levels
- Familiarity with the Greater Philadelphia individual, corporate, and philanthropic landscapes as well as government and community partnership and grant opportunities; ability to leverage existing relationships a plus
- Proven success in the cultivation and solicitation of major gifts at the $100,000 level and above, as well as experience with promoting and securing planned gifts, grant writing and reporting, corporate sponsorships, campaigns, and special events
- Strong executive functionality; able to move from planning to implementation with urgency, efficiency, and diplomacy; business acumen; entrepreneurial, self-starter
- Working mastery of various computer programs including Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, and CRM donor management platforms