Chief Advancement Officer

St. Anne's-Belfield School•Charlottesville, VA

19h•Onsite

About The Position

St. Anne’s-Belfield School is seeking a Chief Advancement Officer (CAO). This is a senior leadership role responsible for advancing the school’s strategic vision through philanthropy and community engagement. Reporting to the Head of School and serving on the Senior Administrative Leadership Team (SALT), the CAO will support St. Anne’s-Belfield’s mission of preparing students to be “strong in body, broad of mind, tender of heart, responsive in soul” while ensuring the financial sustainability and vitality of the school’s programs and campus life. This role is ideally suited for a visionary leader who has demonstrated experience in fundraising but is also comfortable working as a leader and strategic partner across the school. The CAO will appreciate both St. Anne's-Belfield’s deep-rooted traditions of student-centered education and the opportunities to generate significant support for all of the school’s programs. St. Anne's-Belfield prides itself on being a community that lives its core values of “Integrity, Curiosity, Diversity, Creativity, Agency, and Impact.” As the school navigates the future, the role of CAO will be essential to continuing to provide students with a multi-dimensional education experience that encourages them to grow into compassionate, engaged citizens. The CAO will help ensure that St. Anne's-Belfield continues to thrive financially, grow in impact, and deepen engagement with alums, families, and community partners — all while fulfilling the values and mission that make St. Anne's-Belfield unique.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (e.g., M.A., MBA, M.Ed.) strongly preferred.
At least 7–10 years of senior-level experience in advancement/fundraising, institutional advancement, or development — preferably in independent schools, boarding/day schools, higher education, or nonprofit educational institutions.
Demonstrated success with solicitation, stewardship, major gift fundraising, annual funds, planned giving, and campaign management.
Strong strategic planning, financial acumen, and operational management skills.
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills — ability to engage with a wide array of stakeholders (alumni, parents, students, faculty, trustees, donors, community partners).
Leadership style characterized by collaboration, integrity, diplomacy, and a commitment to mission-driven work.
Deep appreciation for St. Anne's-Belfield’s core values: “Integrity, Curiosity, Diversity, Creativity, Agency, and Impact.”
An orientation toward innovation, but sensitive to the culture of a close-knit school.
Mission-driven, student-centered, community-oriented, and equity-minded.
Entrepreneurial and strategic — able to envision and develop new programs while balancing mission and financial sustainability.
Highly organized and flexible, demonstrating strong initiative and the ability to juggle competing priorities in a dynamic school setting.

Nice To Haves

advanced degree (e.g., M.A., MBA, M.Ed.) strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead a comprehensive advancement strategy — including annual giving, major and planned gifts, capital campaigns, endowment growth, grants, and other philanthropic initiatives — aligned with the School’s Portrait of a 2036 Graduate and strategic priorities.
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 in both the donor pipeline and annual revenue.
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 (reunions, fundraising events, donor receptions, community gatherings, alumni events, etc.) 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 that support the school’s vision and growth.

Benefits

Competitive annual salary, based on experience
Generous paid time off (PTO) — up to 6 weeks vacation + 3 personal days annually
Shared cost high-quality medical, dental, and vision insurance
School paid short-term and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance
Retirement plan with match
Supplemental insurance policies
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) / Health Savings Account (HSA)
Discounted gym membership
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Tuition remission and program discounts for children enrolled at the school
Free, after-school care for children enrolled at the school
Free lunch when school is in session
20% discount to the St. Anne’s-Befield School store