About High Jump:
Chicago nonprofit High Jump equalizes access to education for middle school students who have exhibited academic ambition and potential and are of limited economic means. We provide a positive and resource-rich environment where middle grade students receive academic enrichment, social-emotional skills training and high school counseling with the goals of sending our participants to high schools that are the best match and fit for them, ensuring their success while they are there, and enhancing their ability to gain admission to highly regarded four-year colleges and universities. We believe that creating a safe and nurturing learning community where diverse scholars can dream, grow, and achieve is a powerful investment in our shared future.

Job Summary:
High Jump is seeking a strategic leader to take our development, marketing, and communications efforts to the next level. The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) will report directly to the Executive Director (ED) and is responsible for planning, directing, and executing a plan to meet our estimated $3.75 FY26 general operating fundraising goal as well as developing multi-year plans for additional revenue growth. The CAO will lead effective stewardship of High Jump’s current supporters as well as strategically cultivate new donor pipelines, which may include individual, foundation, corporate, government, and alumni sources. The CAO will serve as a member of the senior leadership team, working closely with High Jump’s ED, Chief Program Officer (CPO), and Board of Directors (Board).

Compensation:
This is a full-time position in a hybrid work environment with an annual salary range of $140,000 - $150,000, based on experience and credentials. See Benefits section for information on our generous comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications:

Required:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience managing a high performing fundraising operation as well as the ability to lead a marketing/communications function
- Experience directly soliciting major gifts ($25K+)
- Supervisory/team leadership
- Event management
- Working directly with a Board or similar body
- Basic financial acumen (in order to create, monitor, and adjust fundraising financial projections and budgets)
- Database/CRM experience (Raiser’s Edge or Salesforce are a plus)
The following are a plus, but not required: Credentials in relevant fields (ex: nonprofit, fundraising, communication, education, social work, policy, public administration, business, finance, data); capital campaign management; knowledge of Chicago’s fundraising landscape (individual, foundation, corporate, government); exposure to the K-12 education space

Competencies:

Mission-aligned: A strong interest in High Jump and the students we serve
Externally-focused go-getter: You like to be out of the office, meeting prospects and donors, building relationships and making asks (and will coach team members on the right balance of internal vs. external for their roles)
Strong interpersonal skills: You have the ability to lead an advancement team to achieve big goals, work hand-in-hand with a large Board, ED, and Chief Program Officer (CPO), and build trusting and lasting relationships with High Jumps stakeholders including high net worth individual donors and High Jump families and alumni
Highest-best-use-mindset: You believe strongly in the abilities of your team and that everyone from entry-level staff to Board should be working at their highest and best use on behalf of High Jump (ex: you coach emerging fundraising leaders to work directly with Board and donors, where appropriate, in your stead; you make sure that Board/ED/CPO time is used wisely, being selective about donor meeting invites and preparing them thoroughly
Innovative: You use data to measure fundraising success and implement improvements to grow revenue (ex: conducting gap analyses, automating tasks using technology)

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Advancement Leadership and Development

Lead and direct the execution of fundraising, marketing and communications plans ensuring that all High Jump team members and stakeholders are working at their highest and best use (see Competencies)
Audit current High Jump advancement practices to determine areas for potential innovation and work closely with team and leadership to implement improvements
Work closely with High Jump leadership and Board to develop ambitious annual and multi-year fundraising plans achieving continuous growth and alignment with mission and values
Recruit (where applicable), set goals, and coach a high-performing advancement team, providing mentorship, honest and direct feedback, and developing plans for professional development
Maintain and deepen High Jump’s current collaborative culture within the advancement team and between the advancement and program teams, encouraging knowledge sharing, effective resource utilization, collaborative problem-solving, and respect for all High Jump stakeholders
Work closely with High Jump leadership and Board to create, monitor, drive and adjust revenue projections
Engage leadership, Board, staff, and other key stakeholders in fundraising efforts; providing support, training, and resources to empower involvement in donor cultivation
Utilize data and performance metrics to assess the effectiveness of fundraising strategies and to ensure continuous improvement

Cultivating and Stewarding Supporters

Lead fundraising initiatives including annual appeals, major gifts, corporate partnerships, events, foundation grants, government grants, alumni gifts, and planned gifts
Build and deepen relationships with current High Jump donors, implementing effective stewardship practices to ensure ongoing engagement and retention, leading to increased giving levels
Create and leverage systems to research potential donors, determine their potential alignment with High Jump, and devise thoughtful strategies for engaging them
Oversee engaging and effective marketing and communications strategies aimed at current and new supporters and stakeholders
Ensure adherence to all relevant fundraising regulations and reporting requirements and maintaining accurate records of donor interactions, contributions, and outcomes
Forge strong relationships with the Board, engaging in regular communication with the entire Board, providing support to members where needed, leveraging their talents and networks, and empowering members to support High Jump at the highest level possible for them
Oversee High Jump volunteers, ensuring a strong experience for volunteers, staff, and High Jump families

Organizational Leadership

Serve as a member of the senior leadership team with the ED, and the CPO, working in alignment to achieve High Jump’s mission
Play a key role in the overall development, strategic planning, and management of the organization across multiple areas
Participate in and provide leadership for organization-wide learning, development, and culture-building activities
Implement effective and reflective practices and foster a culture of respect and continuous improvement

BENEFITS:

Employer paid health contributions (including dependents) at 75% of monthly enrollment costs, high quality dental and vision plans
401k with a 2:1 match up to a 6% employer contribution after one year of service
Short and long-term disability, life insurance
Additional ancillary enrollment options
In addition to 10 vacation days (starting tier), 8 sick days, 2 personal days, 14 holidays, and 1 flexible cultural/religious holiday, the organization provides a 1-week winter break and a 1-week spring break
Hybrid work environment; Will require periodic work on weekends and evenings

ANNUAL REVIEW: High Jump leadership positions are subject to annual review.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
High Jump is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Interested candidates should submit resume and targeted cover letter here: https://highjump.applytojob.com/apply/Mo1TOxtX2p/Chief-Advancement-Officer. Please email [email protected] with questions.

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