Chief Advancement Officer (Manger V- Administrative Leadership)

Kentucky Community and Technical College System • Versailles, KY

3d • $130,000 - $150,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) serves as KCTCS’s advancement executive and a member of the KCTCS President’s Executive Leadership Team. The CAO provides strategic direction, guidance, and support to the 16 colleges and their recognized foundations, focusing on developing and implementing comprehensive major and planned giving programs.

The CAO also serves as Executive Director of the KCTCS Foundation, Inc., overseeing and coordinating institutional advancement efforts across the system. The role encompasses donor and prospect identification, research, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship; scholarship administration; financial accounting; gift processing; and advancement communications, including case statements, donor engagement strategies, and fundraising proposals.

The CAO ensures that advancement and foundation activities comply with applicable federal and state laws and regulations and KCTCS policies and procedures. The position is fully onsite five days per week at the KCTCS System Office in Versailles, Kentucky. System Office positions are term-contract positions, with continuance expected based on performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and four years of relevant experience, or equivalent.
• Ability to help set up and prepare for events, including moving tables and carrying boxes with handouts.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree with three years of relevant work experience or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s degree in higher education administration, nonprofit administration, business administration, or communications.
• Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation.
• Certification in Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and guidance to chief advancement officers and advancement staff across the system, clarify roles and responsibilities, and support annual fundraising goals and campaign strategies while maintaining appropriate separation of authority between KCTCS and affiliated foundations.
• Lead system-wide Advancement Services, including the systems, policies, technology, financial processes, and data infrastructure supporting fundraising and constituent engagement; establish consistent operational standards while supporting local college fundraising efforts.
• Lead and support a system-wide peer team of chief advancement officers and their recognized foundations in achieving philanthropy and development goals.
• Build a data-informed culture by establishing fundraising metrics, dashboards, and performance reporting for college leadership, chancellors, foundation boards, and the KCTCS Board of Regents.
• Direct system-wide annual, major, and planned giving programs, including planning, budgeting, design, implementation, and evaluation; secure gifts of $10,000 and above and manage comprehensive, capital, and special-project campaigns.
• Manage constituent identification, research, and evaluation; oversee prospective-donor strategy and coordinate major- and planned-gift solicitations among KCTCS, the colleges, and their foundations.
• Plan and deliver system-wide training and professional development for advancement officers and related staff on fundraising and campaign processes.
• Oversee philanthropic financial operations and collaborate with finance, legal counsel, auditors, and foundation leadership on internal controls, financial accountability, and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee gift acceptance and processing, fund administration, endowment management, planned-giving documentation, and compliance with donor intent.
• Ensure foundations, staff, and volunteers comply with KCTCS Board Policy 7.4 and associated policies and procedures.
• Develop, administer, and monitor the annual operating budget for KCTCS Institutional Advancement.
• Serve as Executive Director of the KCTCS Foundation, Inc., providing strategic leadership and oversight for philanthropic initiatives, fundraising, and development programs of the KCTCS System Office and Foundation.
• Partner with the KCTCS Foundation Board of Trustees to advance its mission, strategic priorities, and fundraising objectives.
• Strengthen board governance and effectiveness by supporting board and committee operations, policy compliance, strategic planning, and trustee engagement.
• Assist the Foundation Board with planning, operations, administration, and information dissemination.
• Prepare and implement the annual budget for the KCTCS Foundation, Inc.
• Oversee the Foundation’s annual external audit and mandatory IRS reporting, including Form 990, in conjunction with Administrative Services.
• Foster productive collaboration among Foundation leadership while maintaining clear governance distinctions and accountability among the Board of Trustees, Board Chair, and Executive Director.
• Lead and develop staff through hiring, training, performance management, coaching, succession planning, and employee development.
• Develop and oversee donor stewardship and recognition programs that promote engagement, retention, and appreciation while complying with KCTCS policies and applicable IRS requirements.
• Delegate responsibilities, monitor progress, provide performance feedback, and communicate expectations to ensure accountability and operational effectiveness.
• Provide best-practice counsel to the Senior Vice President, External Affairs and/or the KCTCS President.
• Advise and support the KCTCS President in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies, including direct engagement with key prospects and donors.
• Represent KCTCS and the Foundation at meetings, conferences, and events; perform other assigned duties and special projects.
• Help set up and prepare for events, including moving tables and carrying boxes of handouts.

Benefits

• Health, vision, and dental coverage for the employee and family.
• Tuition reimbursement or waiver for the employee, spouse, and dependents.
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 10% employer match for a 5% employee contribution.
• Vacation and sick time.
• Work-life balance.
• 9.5 paid holidays.
• Two weeks of institutional closing pay during the last two weeks of December for qualifying positions.
• Employee Assistance Program.

What This Job Offers

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