Chief Advancement Officer

Albany Academy•Albany, NY

About The Position

The Albany Academy seeks a strategic fundraising executive to lead its comprehensive advancement program. The Chief Advancement Officer provides strategic vision, leadership, and administrative oversight for fundraising, constituent relations, and stewardship, and will guide planning and execution of an anticipated $40–$50 million comprehensive campaign. Campaign priorities include expanding endowment support for financial aid, enhancing faculty compensation and professional development, and modernizing campus facilities. The role combines institutional strategy and campaign leadership with substantial personal involvement in major-gift fundraising. The Chief Advancement Officer will advise the Head of School, Board of Trustees, and senior leadership; cultivate and solicit major, principal, and planned gifts; expand regional and national donor networks; and lead alumni and parent engagement. The position also oversees advancement communications and events, team development, advancement systems and operations, budgeting, financial reporting, gift stewardship, and restricted endowment funds. The Chief Advancement Officer reports to the Head of School, serves on the senior leadership team, and works closely with the Board of Trustees and Institutional Advancement Committee. The role leads an established advancement team and will assess departmental capabilities, develop existing personnel, and recommend additional positions and investments as the Academy prepares for its campaign. The position collaborates with the CFO, communications leadership, other administrators, and external campaign counsel. The Academy is an independent Pre-K through Grade 12 school in Albany, New York, committed to academic excellence, inclusion, and its Mission and Core Values.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Significant progressive experience in institutional advancement or philanthropic leadership.
Demonstrated success personally cultivating, soliciting, and securing major gifts.
Strong understanding of major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, donor stewardship, and advancement operations.
Experience developing fundraising strategies and managing significant prospect portfolios.
Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and motivate advancement professionals.
Experience building productive relationships with donors, institutional leaders, and governing boards.
Strong financial, organizational, and performance-management skills.
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, professional judgment, integrity, and discretion.

Nice To Haves

Established philanthropic, civic, or professional relationships in New York’s Capital Region.
Significant experience leading or supporting a comprehensive fundraising campaign.
Demonstrated success securing seven-figure philanthropic commitments.
Experience in independent schools, higher education, or comparable nonprofit organizations.
Experience strengthening an advancement operation and expanding major-gift fundraising capacity.
Advanced degree or relevant professional credential.

Responsibilities

Advise the Head of School, Board of Trustees, and senior leadership team on philanthropic, fundraising, and institutional advancement strategies, and foster a culture of philanthropy.
Plan, coordinate, and execute the comprehensive fundraising campaign in partnership with the Head of School, Board campaign leadership, and external campaign counsel.
Develop a written case for support that connects the Academy’s long-term strategic priorities to compelling philanthropic opportunities.
Set campaign timelines, gift tables, annual fundraising targets, and performance indicators.
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of prospects and donors for major, principal, and planned gifts.
Expand donor networks in New York’s Capital Region and among regional and national alumni.
Increase philanthropic support for priorities including student financial aid, faculty compensation, and facility modernization.
Serve as staff liaison to the Board’s Institutional Advancement Committee and prepare trustees and senior campaign volunteers for cultivation and solicitation.
Oversee alumni relations and parent engagement programs.
Collaborate with communications staff to align advancement outreach, digital media, publications, and events with the Academy’s mission, visual identity, and messaging.
Recruit, mentor, and lead the advancement team, establishing collaboration, professional growth, and accountability.
Supervise and modernize advancement infrastructure, including database management, gift-acceptance policies, and prospect research.
Partner with the CFO and Business Office on the advancement budget, financial reporting, fund reconciliation, and stewardship of restricted endowment funds.
Assess departmental capabilities, develop existing personnel, and recommend additional positions and investments.