Chief Advancement Officer

DCAC•Mesquite, TX

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is a key leadership role responsible for shaping and executing the strategic vision for all fundraising and marketing initiatives at the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center (DCAC). This individual will bring proven expertise in leading comprehensive, multimillion-dollar fundraising programs and developing innovative marketing strategies to amplify DCAC’s mission and impact. As the driving force behind DCAC’s advancement efforts, the CAO will lead the agency’s efforts to secure $5 million annually, ensuring sustained support for programs and services. This includes strengthening donor engagement across the giving spectrum, from entry-level donors to major gifts, and building strategic partnerships with corporations and foundations. The CAO will also oversee the development and execution of cutting-edge marketing strategies to elevate DCAC’s brand, expand awareness of its mission, and position the agency as a thought leader in child advocacy. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead high-performing teams, foster a culture of collaboration and innovation, and align fundraising and marketing efforts to achieve measurable results. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CAO will serve as a strategic partner to the President/CEO, championing DCAC’s mission and ensuring the Centers’ long-term growth and sustainability.

Requirements

10 to 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, with extensive experience leading and developing high-performing, comprehensive, multimillion-dollar fundraising and marketing programs.
Proven success across all aspects of fundraising operations, including building the case for support, cultivating donors, managing fundraising and events teams, and soliciting and securing major and leadership-level gifts.
Demonstrated expertise in email marketing, creative design, and content management to support fundraising and marketing initiatives.
Experience building and leading successful teams while fostering a culture of accountability, inclusiveness, teamwork, and collaboration.
Ability to work effectively with volunteers, community leaders, organizations, and businesses to advocate for and promote DCAC’s mission and programs.
Proven experience collaborating with, leading, and managing a Board of Trustees, including prominent community members, to advance agency goals.
Successful track record in securing grants, including prospect research, pitch presentations, site visits, and maintaining long-term funder relationships, particularly in collaboration with staff and board members.
Expertise in strategic planning, analysis, and vision casting, especially in developing multi-year revenue generation strategies.
In-depth knowledge of fundraising principles, including major gifts, grants, annual appeals, donor cultivation, ongoing operational funding, and project-based support strategies.
Skilled in building strong, cooperative relationships within and across teams, fostering a collaborative and accountable agency culture.
Proven enthusiasm and success in donor cultivation and major gift solicitation.
Exceptional team-building abilities, supported by a positive attitude and strong interpersonal skills conducive to effective engagement with diverse groups.
Persuasive and articulate communicator with outstanding oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills to effectively represent DCAC to various constituencies.
Highly organized and capable of independently managing multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment while meeting deadlines and achieving fundraising goals.
Comfortable navigating diverse social settings, including interactions with individuals of substantial influence and wealth, while building meaningful, lasting relationships.
Business acumen to assess risk, prioritize effectively, and influence key issues by engaging with internal and external stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to protect confidential information and establish trust and rapport with donors and partners for long-term agency support.

Nice To Haves

Flexible hybrid work arrangements.
Opportunities to lead groundbreaking initiatives.
A supportive environment that values well-being, creativity, and growth.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies to secure and exceed DCAC’s annual revenue goals, aligning these efforts with agency priorities and programmatic needs.
Collaborate with the President/CEO to establish clear, measurable funding goals and create data-driven cash flow projections to maintain financial stability.
Translate funding goals into a detailed work plan that outlines fundraising activities, timelines, and metrics for success, ensuring efficient allocation of team resources.
Work closely with the President/CEO and Finance Department to create and manage fundraising-related budgets, ensuring expenses align with revenue projections and organizational priorities.
Partner with the President/CEO and Board of Trustees to create and execute short- and long-term funding strategies, leading efforts to engage board members in individual giving, corporate contributions, and donor introductions.
Oversee strategies for cultivating donor relationships at all levels, from entry-level supporters to major gift contributors, ensuring long-term engagement.
Lead efforts to secure corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and other philanthropic investments.
Utilize data-driven insights to ensure each team member has a portfolio of donors focusing on advancement of the Center's budget needs and long-term sustainability.
Working with the President/CEO and Foundation Board of Directors, create a planned giving action plan to ensure long-term sustainability of the Center.
Guide the Special Events team in producing impactful, mission-driven events that attract donors and strengthen community ties.
Collaborate with the Director of Advancement to expand volunteer engagement and strategically manage in-kind donations to meet DCAC’s needs.
Ensure donations and resources are distributed effectively to maximize their impact on DCAC’s clients and programs.
Develop and oversee an integrated marketing and communications strategy to strengthen DCAC’s brand and amplify its visibility in the community.
Oversee the strategy to increase brand awareness through earned media in coordination with the Center’s outside PR agency.
Direct the creation and management of all marketing materials, including print, digital, and multimedia content, ensuring consistency and alignment with the Center’s goals.
Establish benchmarks and metrics to evaluate the success of marketing campaigns and adjust strategies accordingly.
Mentor and develop a high-performing advancement team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
Inspire staff to align their efforts with DCAC’s mission and achieve departmental and the Center’s goals.
Collaborate with other departments to ensure unified messaging and seamless integration of fundraising and marketing efforts.
Serve as a public representative of DCAC, attending events, networking with community leaders, and advocating for the agency’s mission and programs.
Promote a culture of accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement across the organization.

Benefits

100% Paid Employee Health Insurance-PPO
100% Paid Employee Dental Insurance
100% Paid Short Term Disability
100% Paid Long Term Disability
100% Paid Basic Term Life and AD&D Benefits (one times your annual earnings up to $50,000)
Vision Insurance through Superior Vision
Pet Insurance through Nationwide
Legal Services through Freshbenies
Flexible Spending Account
Dependent Spending Account
Six (6) weeks' of paid Parental Leave
Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
Health Advocate
WellVia Teladoc Program
403b Retirement and Contribution Plan with up to a 4% employer contribution
Supplemental Insurance: Accident Insurance, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance
Bilingual Stipend (English/Spanish) of $2,700 annually
Cell Phone Stipend
10 Paid Holidays
2 Floating Holidays
14 Wellness Days
10 Vacation Days
DCAC participates in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)