Chief Advancement Officer

Providence Animal Center (PAC) seeks an experienced fundraising professional to join the senior leadership team as the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO). This is an exciting opportunity to guide the scope and vision of the advancement efforts and lead a passionate and committed Advancement team at a time of growth and opportunity. PAC is expanding into a 3-property campus dedicated to saving animals and creating lifelong bonds between pets and people. This newly elevated role is critical to maximizing opportunities at PAC by elevating and integrating strategic fundraising and marketing strategies.

To date, funding has been secured through major gifts, annual appeals, events, bequests, foundation grants, and corporate sponsorships. The advancement team has created a strong social media presence for PAC. It holds adoption and other community events yearly and keeps an active media relations calendar. The annual operating budget for PAC is $5M, and there are approximately 80 part-time and full-time staff, over 300 active volunteers, and a dedicated and engaged Board of Directors.

PAC is a 501(c)3 animal welfare organization headquartered on a seven-acre property in Media, PA, just off 476, with a strong track record in adoptions, low-cost and free spay/neuter clinics, and a reputation of upholding the highest standards in animal welfare. In 2022, PAC affiliated with Francisvale Home for Smaller Animals, also dedicated to animal welfare, located on 13 acres in Radnor with a cherished pet cemetery. PAC’s CEO is the lead executive for both organizations. The new CAO is expected to develop and lead an integrated advancement effort.

Summary

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive fundraising and marketing strategies to support the Providence Animal Center’s (PAC) mission and goals. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of developing and executing successful fundraising strategies and experience in marketing and communications. The CAO will be responsible for increasing fundraising results through a comprehensive and unified approach utilizing proven best practices that increasingly emphasize gifts from individual mid-level and major donors. The CAO will have experience working successfully in organizations with high professionalism and rigor. She/he will share a passion for animals and the best animal welfare practices.

Accountability

The CAO reports to the Chief Executive Officer and works closely with PAC’s Board members.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and lead a diverse team of Advancement professionals with appropriate skills and experiences; establish work plans, performance objectives, and goals; regularly review performance; and provide professional development and training opportunities to cultivate staff skills and professionalism.
• Formulate long-term fundraising and communications strategies to grow PAC’s Advancement program.
• Develop strong relationships with the Board of Directors, Committee Chairs, Senior Staff, key funders, volunteers, influencers, and others critical to the success of Advancement efforts.
• Implement systems and metrics to monitor progress towards fundraising and marketing goals and hold the Advancement unit accountable.
• Report on efforts, financial results, and the impact of fundraising and marketing efforts to the Development Committee and the Board of Directors.
• Understand PAC’s work and mission and articulate it to diverse audiences through various mediums. Act as the primary point of contact for supporters and funders within PAC.
• Oversee Advancement operations and the donor database.
• Work with Advancement staff to develop, manage, and oversee the budget.
• Actively participate in networks to benefit PAC, including industry associations such as AFP.
• Encourage the professional development of Advancement Team members.
• Participate in long-range strategic planning initiatives for PAC.
• Lead by example. Serve as a champion of the PAC mission, committing the necessary time and energy, internally and externally, to achieve goals, and going the extra mile to inspire others to do their best.
  
  

Development Responsibilities

• Direct and manage all aspects of PAC’s Development program related to institutional and individual funders.
• Create and implement an annual strategic and tactical fundraising plan.
• Take an active leadership role in building new and enhancing current philanthropic relationships and giving initiatives for individuals, private foundations, and corporate sponsorships.
• Coordinate and support the CEO’s fundraising efforts, including prospect outreach, meeting preparation and follow-up, strategy development, pipeline management, and gift proposals.
• Staff the Board of Directors and the Development Committee in their fundraising responsibilities.
  
  

Communications & Marketing Responsibilities

• Oversee PAC’s communications systems and lead the development, execution, and management of the organization’s strategic communication initiatives.
• Develop and implement strategies and systems that effectively communicate and engage a wide range of audiences, support the organization’s goals, and drive organizational growth.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for internal and external communications, including events, messaging, media relations, brand management, and creative direction for all marketing assets.
• Develop a philanthropic messaging strategy aligned with the organization’s overall branding, marketing, and communications
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field required
• Minimum of 8-10 years of fundraising and marketing experience, including a strong track record in major gifts fundraising.
• Broad knowledge of all facets of a sophisticated Advancement program.
• Excellent organizational, writing, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to establish meaningful long-term relationships with prospects, donors, and volunteers on behalf of PAC.
• Experience in preparing/staffing top leadership at prospect and board meetings.
• Demonstrated success in working with boards and other volunteers.
• Ability to set objectives, develop plans, and implement programs to achieve goals.
• Highly organized, attentive to detail, goal‐oriented, and capable of multi‐tasking.
• Ability to collaborate with non-advancement staff to create and implement coordinated strategies and outcomes.
• Familiarity with the animal welfare community is a plus.
  
  

Working Conditions

• This position may require occasional evening and weekend work.
• The CAO will work in an office setting but must attend external meetings and events as needed.
• Extended periods sitting at a computer.
• The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.