Chief Advancement Officer

Position Summary:

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), a member of the Leadership Team, provides leadership, strategic direction, management and coordination for all advancement efforts at WomenVenture. The mission of the CAO is to develop and implement a comprehensive annual, multi-year, strategy that enhances and diversifies the organization’s support from individuals, funders, foundations, governments, and other resources. This role will be responsible for increasing our annual fundraising from current levels to a run rate of $6 million a year by FY2030. The CAO plays a pivotal role in fostering relationships with the Board of Directors, staff, key volunteers, and external audiences, including donors and community partners, to ensure the successful achievement of WomenVenture's fundraising goals. The CAO develops and manages strategies for marketing, events, communications, and development operations and is responsible for transforming the WomenVenture brand and digital presence while increasing brand awareness, client and community outreach, and funding for the organization.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

Individual Giving

• Create and implement strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, secure, and retain existing donors, prospective donors, and individuals interested in a planned gift

• Design and coordinate donor recognition strategies

• Responsible for donor cultivation events that will raise friends as well as funds

Corporate Sponsorships

• Lead strategy development, implementation and stewardship of corporate partner engagement

• Develop strategies and marketing materials for solicitation of sponsorships

• Participate in solicitation of corporate and individual sponsorships for fundraising events and other agency opportunities

Foundation Grants and Government Contracts

• Develop roadmap for increasing local and national Foundation engagement

• Lead government relations strategies with intention to increase presence across Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, and beyond

• Work in partnership with Advancement team to direct the identification, development, and coordination of foundation grant and government contract opportunities to address agency’s priorities

• Establish and maintain robust communications and relationships including site visits and presentations with funders on behalf of WomenVenture

• Oversee submission of letters of inquiry (LOIs), general operating and program grants, and government contracts as well as funder reports

Marketing, Communications & Events

• Develop brand transformation strategy that elevates WomenVenture’s experience, credibility, and impact as the only women’s focused- CDFI in the state of Minnesota

• Provide oversight to the Advancement team in developing overall external communication strategies with the goals for building awareness and branding of the organization’s public relations, and collateral management

• Lead digital channels strategy development and oversight of implementation plan inclusive of website, social media channels, and review sites

• Develop communications processes and materials to create an excellent client experience at each brand touchpoint

• Secure new and maintain existing media partnerships to elevate WomenVenture’s work in the community and increase philanthropic support

• Manage event vendor contracts and expenses, securing in-kind donations through strategic partnerships where possible

• Analyze the effectiveness of event strategies in securing new and maintaining existing donors and sponsorships, and revise strategy focusing on increased philanthropy

Board Relations

• Report to Board of Directors and Board committees as requested by the CEO and Board Chair

• Serve as the liaison to Advancement Committee of the Board of Directors

• Work with Board Advancement Committee chair to report Development results

Qualifications:

• 10 years’ experience in philanthropy and strategic marketing with a proven track record of successful fundraising comparable to WomenVenture's fundraising needs

• 5 years’ experience in event management

• Strong project management skills with a successful record of managing multiple projects concurrently

• Expertise in writing and editing

• Ability to think strategically to conceive and implement new initiatives

• History of relationship building with diverse constituents

• Ability to think critically to analyze results and pivot to increase effectiveness

• Excellent cultural competencies and ability to collaborate across diverse perspectives, ideas, and people with diverse backgrounds

• High level of commitment to issues of gender equality and the social mission of the agency

Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency in CRM systems including Microsoft Dynamics

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products including Word, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, Planner, etc.

• Experience with Canva, MailChimp, Social media channels, and other digital tools

• Highly organized, initiative-taking, and able to manage complex projects, competing priorities and tight deadlines

• Ability to speak, listen and write in a concise yet influential manner

• Excellent meeting facilitation skills, including the ability to effectively present information to a wide variety of audiences

• Comfortable giving and receiving constructive feedback and acting as a mentor to staff

• Committed to learning and familiarity with Dare to Lead, EOS, anti-racist and cultural competence training and development

Benefits:

WomenVenture takes immense pride in providing exceptional benefits to our staff. Employees are eligible for 18 paid holidays and 18 PTO days starting their first year. WomenVenture offers medical, dental, vision, short term disability, long term disability, and life insurance. WomenVenture offers paid parental leave, health savings account, flexible spending account, pre-tax transportation, and an employee assistance program. Employees can also participate in a retirement plan with an employer match.