Chief Advancement Officer

Our Childrens Trust•Eugene, OR

11h•$171,850 - $198,170•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is a senior executive leader responsible for advancing Our Children's Trust's public presence, fundraising strength, and organizational sustainability. Reporting directly to the Co-Executive Director, the CAO oversees all external engagement and core organizational functions — including development, communications, brand, media, public education, audience growth, finance, and operations — ensuring they operate as a unified, strategic engine in service of OCT's litigation and youth-centered mission. The CAO serves as the organization's second-in-command for institutional strategy, partnering closely with the Co-Executive Director to translate legal victories and youth leadership into sustained public will, philanthropic investment, and a strong, well-run organization using a trauma-informed approach. This role combines high-level strategic leadership with responsibility for OCT's financial health, operational infrastructure, and cross-functional execution, ensuring that engagement, fundraising, and internal systems are aligned, resilient, and built to support long-term impact.

Requirements

10+ years of senior leadership experience in fundraising, communications, advocacy, or movement-based organizations.
OR Associate's degree and 8+ years of fundraising experience
OR Bachelor's degree and 6+ years of fundraising experience
OR Master's degree and 4+ years of fundraising experience
Demonstrated success leading major fundraising efforts, including major gifts and institutional funding.
Experience designing and overseeing finance and operations at the organizational level, including business planning, financial systems, and operational processes, and leading executive teams through periods of growth, complexity, and change.
Proven ability to integrate communications and development strategies.
Experience managing and mentoring senior staff and multidisciplinary teams.
Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Deep alignment with OCT's mission and values.

Nice To Haves

Experience working alongside legal or litigation-driven organizations.
Familiarity with trauma-informed care and youth-centered approaches.
JD or strong understanding of the legal system a plus (not required).

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a comprehensive engagement strategy that integrates fundraising, communications, media, education, and public engagement into a single, cohesive approach.
Align engagement strategies with OCT's litigation priorities, youth leadership model, and organizational values.
Ensure engagement efforts are proactive, data-informed, and adaptable to fast-moving legal, technological, and political contexts.
Lead organizational fundraising strategy to meet and exceed annual and multi-year revenue goals.
Oversee all individual, foundation, major gift, and planned giving programs.
Personally cultivate and steward key donors and institutional partners, with a focus on six- and seven-figure gifts.
Partner closely with the Executive Director on high-level donor strategy and solicitation.
Foster a strong internal culture of philanthropy across the organization.
Oversee OCT's brand strategy, messaging framework, and storytelling across all platforms.
Direct earned media strategy, rapid response, and crisis communications in coordination with legal leadership.
Ensure consistent, compelling narratives that elevate youth voices and legal impact.
Lead strategies to expand and deepen OCT's audiences, including supporters, educators, youth, alumni, and movement allies.
Oversee public education initiatives, learning tools, events, and community engagement efforts.
Ensure engagement work is trauma-informed, youth-centered, and accessible to diverse communities.
Use data and insights to refine engagement strategies and measure impact.
Directly supervise and support the Chief Financial & Operating Officer.
Provide integrated oversight of finance, operations, people & culture, and internal systems.
Partner with the CFO on budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and risk management.
Ensure operational policies, systems, and practices support organizational sustainability and growth.
Directly supervise and support the Senior Director of Donor Development and Communications Director.
Lead, support, and develop a high-performing Engagement Team (communications, development, digital, education, engagement).
Establish clear goals, workflows, and decision-making structures across engagement functions.
Manage outside consultants, vendors, and creative partners as needed.
Build systems that support collaboration with Legal, Operations, Youth Programs, and the Chief of Staff.