Chief Advancement Officer

Albany Academy•City of Albany, NY

4d•$160,000 - $185,000

About The Position

The Albany Academy seeks a dynamic, 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. The role includes planning and executing an anticipated $40–$50 million comprehensive campaign to support endowment funding for financial aid, faculty compensation and professional development, and campus facility modernization. The Chief Advancement Officer advises the Head of School, Board of Trustees, and senior leadership on philanthropic strategy; personally identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards major, principal, and planned-gift prospects; and builds donor networks in the Capital Region and among regional and national alumni. The position also leads alumni and parent engagement, supports and prepares trustees and campaign volunteers, and works with communications colleagues to align outreach with the Academy’s mission and messaging. The role leads and develops the advancement team and oversees the division’s infrastructure, including database management, gift-acceptance policies, and prospect research. In partnership with the CFO and Business Office, the Chief Advancement Officer manages the advancement budget, financial reporting, fund reconciliation, and stewardship of restricted endowment funds. The position reports to the Head of School, serves on the senior leadership team, and works closely with the Board, Institutional Advancement Committee, other administrators, and external campaign counsel. The successful candidate will assess departmental capabilities, develop existing personnel, and recommend additional staffing and investments while remaining substantially involved in major-gift fundraising. Albany Academy is an independent Pre-K through Grade 12 school in Albany, New York. The Chief Advancement Officer is expected to support the school’s Mission and Core Values and contribute to the broader life of the Academy community. The school is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive community. Employment is at-will; the Academy may alter this job description. The employee must be capable of performing the described duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

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 on philanthropic, fundraising, and institutional advancement strategies, and foster a culture of philanthropy.
Plan, coordinate, and execute the upcoming comprehensive campaign in partnership with the Head of School, Board campaign leadership, and external campaign counsel.
Translate institutional priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities and a written case for support.
Set campaign timelines, gift tables, annual fundraising targets, and performance indicators.
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major, principal, and planned-gift prospects and donors.
Expand donor networks in New York’s Capital Region and broaden outreach to regional and national alumni networks.
Build philanthropic support for strategic priorities, including student financial aid, faculty compensation, and facility modernization.
Serve as the primary 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.
Coordinate with communications colleagues 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, fostering 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 to manage 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.