Chief Advancement Officer

Chief Advancement Officer

Churchill School and Center

Founded in 1972, the Churchill School and Center (www.churchillschoolnyc.org) serves just under 400 students with language-based learning disabilities, grades K-12. Located in the Kip’s Bay district on Manhattan’s East Side, the school’s class size and supportive culture engender a warm, welcoming community.

The next Chief Advancement Officer will be joining a strong, experienced and professional Leadership Team, and work closely with the Head of School and members of the Board of Trustees. With a capital campaign underway and plans to relocate the school, the next Chief Advancement Officer will find this an exciting time to join the Churchill School and Center.

Mission: To provide an innovative and transformational K-12 learning community that empowers students with language-based learning disabilities.

Position: The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is a member of the senior leadership team and a key strategic partner to the Head of School in advancing the mission, visibility, and sustainability of The Churchill School and Center. The CAO will oversee a comprehensive advancement program including fundraising, communications, alumni relations, and community engagement. This leader will be responsible for designing and executing fundraising strategies that significantly grow philanthropic support from individuals, foundations, and institutions. In addition to overseeing ongoing development operations, the CAO will play a pivotal role in driving Churchill’s capital campaign to success by providing strategic leadership, managing key donor relationships, and galvanizing the community around a bold and inspiring vision for the future of the school. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of a dynamic and mission-driven institution that makes a profound difference in the lives of students and families throughout New York City.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategy

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Head of School, Board of Trustees, and the Board’s Advancement Committee on all advancement-related matters.
• Develop and execute an annual advancement plan aligned with Churchill’s strategic priorities and values.
• Manage and mentor a growing advancement team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and mission alignment.
• Partner with senior leaders and school professionals to effectively articulate Churchill’s value proposition to members of the Churchill community and external audiences.
• Play a key leadership role in guiding Churchill’s ongoing capital campaign, driving strategy, execution, and stakeholder engagement.
• Serve as the liaison between the School and the Parents Association.

Fundraising and Donor Engagement

• Lead all fundraising initiatives, including the annual fund, major gifts, planned giving, capital campaigns.
• Initiate and lead foundation and corporate giving programs.
• Personally manage a portfolio of high-level donors and prospects, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Engage and support trustees, volunteers, and leadership in donor cultivation and solicitation efforts, with particular emphasis on campaign-related activities.
• Oversee the development and execution of donor events (including the annual benefit) and recognition opportunities.

Communications and Community Relations

• Provide strategic direction for communications and marketing, ensuring consistent and compelling messaging across school channels.
• Oversee the creation of content that elevates Churchill’s visibility and impact, including newsletters, annual reports, community storytelling and digital communications.

Alumni Relations and Parent Engagement

• Strengthen relationships with parents, grandparents, and other community members through events and tailored communications.
• Partner with the Parent Association and other volunteer leaders to build community and enhance philanthropic participation.
• Build out an Alumni relations program that fosters deeper engagement and philanthropic support.

Operations and Analytics

• Ensure that advancement operations, including gift processing, donor stewardship, and database management, are efficient and accurate.
• Oversee budgeting and reporting for advancement programs; use data to evaluate and improve fundraising performance and engagement.

Qualifications and Competencies

• 8-10+ years of advancement experience with a proven track record in major gifts and annual fund strategy, ideally in an independent school or nonprofit setting.
• Strong relationship-builder who is smart, outgoing, personable, and collegial; able to connect with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strategic and proactive leader who identifies opportunities and addresses challenges before they arise.
• Collaborative team player who thrives in cross-functional environments.
• Innovative thinker with a talent for storytelling and creating new pathways for engagement.
• Excellent communication, management, and organizational skills.
• Proficient in donor databases and fundraising analytics; ideally has experience in Raiser’s Edge.

The Churchill School and Center offers a competitive salary and is an equal opportunity employer. Background screening: The Churchill School and Center conducts background checks on candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

For Consideration

Interested individuals should submit a current resume and a letter of interest addressed to Head of School, Dr. Tim Madigan, along with at least three (3) references. These documents should be provided electronically to the Executive Assistant to the Head of School, Maggie King, at mking@churchillschoolnyc.org by September 26, 2025.

Compensation

• Starting Salary Range: $220,000-240,000. commensurate with experience
• Employee Benefits Package: 10 days annual personal/sick time, 15 vacation days, summer Fridays off and school holidays off. Remote working days (maximum 30 days per year) subject to approval. Annual merit-based bonus pay, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, disability income benefits, flexible spending account, health savings account, commuter benefits, paid family leave, daily complimentary lunch, professional development opportunities, 403(b) retirement plan with a 7% employer contribution after 2-years employment.