Summary
Description
Chief Advancement Officer – Full-Time
Announcing a unique opportunity to join a dynamic, innovative organization that has been serving the greater Hartford community for over 250 years. HPL employees, leaders, donors, and volunteers are dedicated to serving, celebrating, and uplifting the Hartford community through literacy, education, information and digital access, arts and cultural experiences, workforce readiness, citizenship, health and wellness programs, and a myriad of creative and impactful programs and services.
This new, senior-level position reporting to the President and CEO will lead a skilled and experienced team of professionals to oversee HPL’s advancement portfolio, including development, marketing, and communications, and will help ensure program alignment with strategic priorities across the organization.
The Chief Advancement Officer is responsible for planning, implementing, and managing a comprehensive advancement program to support the mission and long-term sustainability of the Hartford Public Library. With a clear focus on Hartford communities and expanded audiences, the role includes overseeing fundraising, donor relations, marketing and communications, program coordination, and strategic partnerships.
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
Development and Partnerships
-
In coordination with the Director of Development, oversees the planning and execution of a comprehensive contributed income strategy, including annual giving, major gifts, annual and planned giving, endowment, events, capital campaigns, corporate support, and grant acquisition.
-
In coordination with the Director of Development and President/CEO, cultivates and stewards relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporations, and other funding entities.
-
Cultivate partnerships that align with organizational goals, including relationships with community-based institutions, service providers, and elected and other government officials at the city, state, and federal levels.
Marketing and Communications
-
In coordination with the Director of Communications and Marketing, oversees the planning and execution of internal and external communications strategies, including branding, digital presence, newsletters, website, media relations, sales, and marketing campaigns that engage donors, community residents, customers, key stakeholders, and the broader Library community (regional and national).
-
Ensures brand and messaging are aligned with the organization’s mission and strategic priorities.
Organization-wide Programming
-
Ensures alignment of all programs across the Library system in coordination with direct service areas and external program partners.
-
Oversees programming strategies and initiatives to drive community engagement and expand audiences.
-
Ensures alignment of all programs across the system with the Library’s strategic plan, and other program strategies and initiatives.
-
Participates in departmental and organizational meetings, maintaining knowledge of programs, policies, and services.
-
In addition to community engagement and audience expansion, ensure that programming enhances funding and donor development goals.
-
Encourages cultivation of partnerships at the department level to drive community engagement, volunteerism, and audience expansion.
-
Works with senior leadership to develop appropriate metrics for evaluating programming effectiveness. Monitors and regularly reports on programming effectiveness.
Leadership and Strategy
-
Serves as a member of the senior leadership team, contributing to organizational planning and decision-making.
-
Supervises Director of Development and Director of Marketing and Communication, including goal setting, supporting professional development, mentoring/coaching, and evaluating performance.
-
Along with the President and CEO and the Director of Development, serves as staff liaison to the Board’s Development Committee and Governance Committee.
-
Coordinates with the CEO and CFO regarding annual operational and capital budget planning, budget preparation, and budget monitoring.
-
Ensures that development work is carried out within national compliance standards and donor-relations best practices for philanthropic giving.
SECONDARY FUNCTIONS
Other duties as assigned. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrative of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar or a logical assignment to the position.
EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
-
Bachelor’s degree required; master's degree in nonprofit management, marketing, communications, public relations, business, or related field preferred.
-
Minimum 7-10 years of progressive experience in institutional advancement work, including development, communications, and marketing, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
-
Proven track record of success in major gift cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
-
Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
-
MS Office Suite proficiency required.
-
Experience with a CRM/donor management system is required.
-
Passion for the mission of HPL and the ability to serve as an enthusiastic ambassador.
Preferred:
-
CFRE certification (Certified Fund-Raising Executive).
-
Bloomerang experience is preferred.
-
Experience in a Library, academic, or non-profit environment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT
-
Ability to continuously bend, twist, stoop, reach, and pull.
-
Ability to maintain composure in everyday, potentially stressful situations.
-
Ability to meet a flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends.
-
Able to walk, sit, and stand for extended periods.
-
Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
What we offer employees:
Hartford Public Library offers robust benefits you won’t find at other nonprofit organizations through a unique partnership with the City of Hartford. This includes:
-
Municipal Employee Retirement Fund-Pension Plan with employer contribution
-
Health Care, Dental, and Pharmacy benefits
-
Life Insurance
-
Paid Time Off – Vacation, personal, and sick time
-
2 Floating Holidays
-
11 Paid Holidays
-
Mental health support through the Employee Assistance Program
-
Tuition reimbursement program
-
Paid professional development, continuing education, and staff engagement opportunities
-
Commitment to an active plan of diversity, equity, and inclusion work, including implementation of the staff-led DEI Road Map.
Hartford Public Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
