Summary
Description
Position Overview
MSC seeks a strategic, hands-on Chief Advancement Officer to lead enterprise revenue and narrative strategy. The CAO will: (1) drive institutional and individual fundraising; (2) steward brand and strategic communications; and (3) partner with Programs on market strategy for Philanthropic Services. This role is ideal for a builder energized by stabilizing operations and rebuilding a right-sized advancement team in a time of transition.
Reports to: Executive Director (ED)
Location: Hybrid/remote (U.S.), with a preference for location in Bay Area, CA
Status: Full-time, Exempt
Team & Current State
The Advancement function is in a moment of a rebuild: currently, the department includes one full-time Development Manager, a Senior Advancement Advisor, and a contract grant writer for the Development Team, and a full-time Communications Director, Communications Generalist, and Senior Coordinator of Advancement for the Communications Team. The CAO will lead a phased restructuring/hiring plan for the advancement function/side, clarify cross-org interfaces (Programs, Finance, Operations), and institute durable collaborative and operating rhythms.
Time Allocation
-
Fundraising & Business Development — 45%
-
Strategic Communications — 30%
-
Revenue Strategy & Cross-Org Alignment — 15%
-
People Leadership (team/consultants) — 10%
Core Responsibilities
Fundraising & Business Development (45%)
- Own multi-year revenue plan; deliver annual targets across institutional and individual giving.
- Build and maintain a 12–18-month qualified pipeline; set/meet close-rate goals.
- Co-lead top-tier funder strategy with ED/Board; prepare leadership for high-stakes meetings
- Ensure proposal/report quality and on-time delivery (grants ops/CRM hygiene).
- Works closely with Finance to establish growth, margin, and risk targets for PS portfolios.
Strategic Communications (30%)
-
Lead enterprise narrative and editorial calendar aligned to fundraising outcomes.
-
Oversee brand, content, and owned/earned channels; commission signature stories, reports, and funder-facing collateral that lift MSC’s ecosystem impact and protect the equitable intermediary model.
Revenue Strategy & Cross-Org Alignment (15%)
-
With the Senior Leadership Team and Finance, sets revenue targets and scenario plans; track performance and margin implications.
-
Translate program learning and field signals into fundable opportunities and campaigns.
Philanthropic Services Interface (Programs-owned)
-
Ownership: PS (pooled funds, regranting, intermediary offerings) is operationally housed in Programs and supervised by the Chief Programs Officer (CPO) / PS Director/GM. Programs own PS delivery, compliance, and fee/margin revenue.
-
CAO role: Co-develop PS market strategy and positioning; support cultivation/proposals for PS-aligned opportunities; align narrative and collateral with PS growth; coordinate with Finance/Legal on risk posture. (CAO does not supervise PS staff.)
People Leadership (10%)
-
Manage/coach the Development Manager and contractors; design the future org; lead hiring/onboarding; lead cross-departmental collaborations as it relates to fundraising and communications.
Year-One Success Metrics (KPIs)
-
Total revenue secured; 50% unrestricted, with at least 40% of these opportunities multi-year commitments; renewal success rate of 60%.
-
Successfully fundraise $4-6M annually (PS’ annual goal will live under Programs, but cross collaboration will successfully lead to securing $3-5M in this arena of work)
-
Overlook a successful pipeline development process, with ongoing cultivation of T2 and T3 prospects and successful moves management of at least 50% of T2 and T3 funders.
-
Comms outcomes tied to growing visibility of MSC: Drive PR partnership to maximize MSC visibility through media coverage, thought leadership (2+ pieces), and expanded content (Shifting Philanthropy, Storytelling); support and resource increased video/audio production to boost social engagement and campaigns.
Collaboration Rhythms
-
Bi-Weekly Advancement–Programs revenue standing meetings (discussing pipeline, collaborations, strategic goals, upcoming proposals)
-
Bi-weekly meetings with Finance establish growth, margin, and risk targets for PS portfolios.”
-
Weekly meetings with Senior Leadership Team
-
In close collaboration with the Executive Director, successful stewardship of Board members, with the potential of creating a Development Committee that meets monthly to support fundraising efforts
Qualifications
- 10+ years leading institutional fundraising with integrated strategic communications; proven revenue delivery.
- Track record building/leading teams and systems in a dynamic or rebuilding context.
- Experience partnering with program teams to turn learning into fundable strategies; familiarity with pooled funds/regranting a plus.
- Strong CRM/grants ops and data discipline; excellent executive communication and narrative skills.
- Values-alignment with movement ecosystems; comfort navigating risk/brand protection for intermediaries.
Work Conditions & Benefits
-
Hybrid/remote with periodic travel (retreats, funder meetings, convenings), typically 10–20%.
-
Flexible work hours to accommodate partners across time zones.
-
Competitive benefits package (health, retirement, paid leave).
Compensation
-
Salary range: $180,000–$200,000 (DOE), aligned to Bay Area market for CAO scope (fundraising + strategic comms + PS market partnership).
Equal Opportunity
MSC is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and other people of color; women; LGBTQIA+ people; people with disabilities; immigrants; and people from working-class backgrounds.
