Chief Advancement Officer

Khan Lab School • Mountain View, CA

1d • $180,000 - $200,000

About The Position

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is a key member of Khan Lab School’s senior leadership team, reporting directly to the Executive Director, and serving as a strategic partner in sustaining and growing the school’s innovative mission. This pivotal role combines development leadership, enrollment strategy, marketing vision, and community engagement to ensure KLS has the resources and community support needed to reimagine education for the future. The ideal candidate is a hands-on, entrepreneurial advancement leader who thrives in fast-paced, mission-driven environments and brings deep experience building revenue strategies that align with organizational values. This role requires someone who can authentically articulate KLS’s distinctive mastery-based approach to diverse audiences— from prospective families to major donors—while building systems and strategies that create sustainable growth. As a member of the senior leadership team, the CAO will be comfortable working collaboratively across the organization, rolling up their sleeves to support enrollment events, craft compelling campaign materials, or personally steward key donor relationships. Beyond traditional advancement functions, this leader will help shape the future of KLS by developing multi-year fundraising strategies that support innovation, building enrollment pipelines that attract mission-aligned families, and creating marketing narratives that position KLS as a leader in the educational field. The role is designed for an experienced professional who deeply believes in the power of student-centered learning, thrives on creative problem-solving, and is energized by the opportunity to build something meaningful in a collaborative environment where decisions are made through the lens of what’s best for students. The Chief Advancement Officer’s team includes a Director of Admissions, an Assistant Director of Admissions, a Marketing & Communications Manager, and a Director of College Counseling & Alumni. The role also works closely with the Chief Finance & Operations Officer and the Director of Business Operations & Development, who supports the Annual Fund. The school also supports and encourages the involvement of Upper School student interns in advancement efforts.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 10+ years of senior leadership experience in advancement, development, enrollment, or marketing, preferably at an independent school and/or mission-driven educational organization.
• AI literacy skills and a deep familiarity with how those tools can be used effectively by an Advancement Team.
• Demonstrated success building and executing fundraising strategies, with experience securing major gifts and leading annual giving programs.
• Proven ability to develop enrollment strategies and marketing campaigns that drive growth while maintaining mission alignment.
• Exceptional storytelling and communication skills, with the ability to inspire diverse audiences and articulate complex educational concepts.
• Experience building and leading a high-performing team in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical skills and comfort using data to inform strategy, measure impact, and drive continuous improvement.
• Proficiency with CRM systems, marketing platforms, and data analytics tools.
• A deep appreciation for innovative, student-centered educational approaches, and the ability to authentically communicate their value.
• An entrepreneurial mindset with a track record of building systems, processes, and strategies from the ground up.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a key strategic partner to both the Executive Director and the Chief Financial & Operations Officer (CFOO) in shaping long-term financial sustainability and institutional growth.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive advancement plan that aligns fundraising, enrollment, and marketing strategies with the school’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators across all advancement functions to measure effectiveness and ensure accountability.
• Present regular reports to the Board of Trustees on advancement progress, enrollment trends, and philanthropic projections.
• Serve as a member of the Board of Trustees Finance Committee.
• Build and lead a culture of philanthropy throughout the KLS community, inspiring support from parents, alumni, board members, and friends of the school.
• Design and implement annual giving strategies that engage the entire community and achieve ambitious fundraising goals.
• Identify, cultivate, and help steward relationships with major gift prospects and donors.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and board to plan and execute capital campaigns and special initiatives, as needed.
• Oversee donor research, gift acknowledgment, and stewardship processes to ensure exceptional donor experience.
• Provide strategic leadership for student recruitment and retention efforts in partnership with the Admissions team.
• Develop data-informed enrollment strategies that attract and retain mission-appropriate families while meeting financial objectives.
• Ensure seamless alignment between marketing messages, admissions processes, and the actual student experience.
• Collaborate with the CFOO to develop financial aid strategies that support enrollment goals and family accessibility.
• Develop and oversee an integrated marketing and communications strategy that strengthens KLS’s brand identity and supports both enrollment and fundraising goals.
• Serve as a key storyteller and ambassador for the school, articulating KLS’s innovative approach to education across multiple platforms and audiences.
• Ensure consistent, compelling messaging across all channels—digital, print, social media, and community-facing platforms.
• Oversee website management, social media presence, and content creation to showcase student learning and school culture.
• Build authentic relationships with current families, alumni, and community partners to deepen engagement and create lasting connections.
• Partner with faculty, staff, and parent volunteers to foster a sense of belonging and shared purpose across the KLS community.
• Develop and implement an alumni engagement strategy that keep graduates connected to the school and its mission.
• Create opportunities for families and alumni to contribute time, expertise, and resources to enhancing educational experiences.
• In collaboration with the Executive Director and the CFOO, lead strategic Campus Master planning.
• Lead the development and execution of KLS’s first comprehensive capital campaign to support facility improvements, program expansion, and endowment growth.
• Design and implement a data infrastructure for tracking donor engagement, enrollment pipelines, and marketing effectiveness.
• Build out alumni programming and engagement strategies as KLS’s first graduating classes move through college and beyond.
• Other related job duties, as needed.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• 401K retirement plan with an employer match.
• Basic life insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Generous paid time off including paid holidays, sick time, and floating holidays.
• Tuition assistance for dependents.
• Professional development opportunities and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive