Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (“Woodlands Academy” or “Woodlands”) invites applications for the position of Chief Advancement Officer (CAO). With a deep belief in Woodlands’ Sacred Heart Identity and all-girls’ education, the CAO will oversee all aspects of Woodlands Academy’s donor cultivation, engagement and stewardship and lead the school’s upcoming $17M capital campaign. The CAO reports to the Head of School and will play an integral role in advancing the school’s strategic goals as part of the leadership team.
Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart, founded in 1858, is a Catholic, independent college preparatory day and boarding school for young women grades 9 through 12. Located in Lake Forest, Illinois, on the North Shore of Chicago, Woodlands Academy enrolls approximately 100 students, which allows for close relationships between faculty, staff, and students. The campus supports both day students and boarders, giving Woodlands a residential dimension that distinguishes it from most independent day schools in the region.
The Chief Advancement Officer will serve as the strategic and tactical leader for all philanthropy and donor relations activities at Woodlands. The CAO is supported by two full-time team members: a Chief Development Officer as well as a Database Specialist/Woodlands Fund Coordinator. The CAO will prepare and execute Woodlands Academy's next campaign; expand, strengthen, and diversify prospect and donor engagement; elevate and improve stewardship and donor recognition; enhance alumnae relation efforts; support and empower a talented and committeed team; lead advancement operations and organizational management; and serve as a strategic thought partner to the Head of School.
The ideal candidate for the CAO at Woodlands Academy is a seasoned advancement professional who brings deep expertise in major and principal gifts, campaign leadership, and the full spectrum of donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The next CAO will leverage the significant success of students by sharing their stories with the donor base and the broader community. In addition, the ideal candidate will demonstrate many of the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
- Extensive and successful record of front-line fundraising at a leadership level;
- History of developing, leading, and delegating to a talented team;
- Experience leading or playing a significant role in the planning and implementation of a substantial campaign, including establishing metrics and processes to monitor and evaluate operational performance outcomes, and a commitment to see through the next campaign at Woodlands;
- Dedication to partnering seamlessly with the Head of School and ensuring she is positioned for successful donor and prospect engagement;
- Strong capacity to re-engage lapsed or disengaged constituencies through intentional outreach, programming, and relationship cultivation strategies;
- Passion and talent for operating as an inspirational storyteller;
- A great listener with the ability to identify and execute restricted giving opportunities and creating giving societies to cultivate willing donors:
- Desire to be embedded in the campus community;
- Creative and strategic approach to long-term planning;
- Comfort and fluency in articulating the mission and value proposition of Catholic, Independent, Sacred Heart college preparatory education in a way that inspires philanthropic investment;
- Strategic understanding of data management practices and systems, CRM tools (including Raisers Edge), and innovations that can optimize advancement processes and contribute to maintaining high standards of data integrity;
- Commitment to the mission of Woodlands Academy and the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Education;
- Exceptional personal integrity, including upholding a culture of confidentiality;
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; and,
- Is trustworthy and a self-starter.
This is a full-time position that will be performed on site in Illinois. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $200,000 to $225,000 with a generous benefits package.
DSG | Global has been exclusively retained for this engagement, led by Matthew Marsallo, Managing Director, and supported by Abby Kallin, Senior Search Associate. Express interest in this role by filling out the Talent Profile or emailing the search team directly at [email protected]. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart is an equal-opportunity employer. It does not discriminate against any individual based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, genetic information, age, disability, protected veteran status or being a member of the Reserves or National Guard, or any other classification under state or federal law.