Chief Advancement Officer

Description

The Autism Treatment Center (ATC) seeks an accomplished, visionary, and relationship-driven Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) to lead the organization's comprehensive advancement strategy and accelerate philanthropic support for its mission.

The Chief Advancement Officer will serve as a key member of the executive leadership team and will be responsible for developing and executing an integrated advancement program encompassing major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, special events, donor stewardship, communications, and community engagement.

The CAO will build meaningful, long-term relationships with donors, families, community leaders, corporations, foundations, and other stakeholders who share ATC's commitment to improving the lives of individuals with autism and their families.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced advancement leader to help shape the next chapter of a mission-driven organization and translate a compelling vision into sustainable philanthropic growth.

Essential Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive, multi-year advancement strategy aligned with ATC's strategic plan and organizational priorities.
• Serve as the organization's senior fundraising strategist and philanthropic advisor to the President & CEO and Board of Directors.
• Establish ambitious but achievable fundraising goals, performance metrics, revenue projections, and accountability systems.
• Identify emerging opportunities for philanthropic growth and develop strategies to expand ATC's donor base and community presence.
• Partner with organizational leadership to articulate compelling cases for support and communicate the impact of ATC's programs and services.

Major Gifts & Individual Philanthropy

• Lead a robust major and principal gifts program, personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects.
• Develop and implement strategies for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and retaining donors.
• Build strong relationships with individuals and families whose philanthropic interests align with ATC's mission.
• Collaborate with the President & CEO, Board members, and other volunteer leaders on strategic donor engagement and solicitations.
• Create and strengthen planned giving and legacy giving opportunities.

Institutional & Corporate Giving

• Expand relationships with foundations, corporations, and other institutional funders.
• Oversee strategies for grant development, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, and foundation support.
• Ensure compelling proposals, reports, and stewardship communications demonstrate measurable organizational impact.
• Identify new funding opportunities that support both current programs and long-term strategic initiatives.

Board & Volunteer Engagement

• Partner closely with the Board of Directors and advancement committee to strengthen their role as ambassadors, advocates, connectors, and philanthropic leaders.
• Develop meaningful opportunities for Board members and volunteers to participate in fundraising and relationship development.
• Provide the Board with regular reports on fundraising performance, pipeline development, donor activity, and advancement strategy.

Campaign & Special Initiatives

• Lead planning and execution of future capital, comprehensive, or special fundraising campaigns as appropriate.
• Develop campaign infrastructure, volunteer leadership, prospect strategies, case materials, and solicitation plans.
• Support organizational initiatives requiring significant philanthropic investment, including program expansion, facilities, technology, innovation, and endowment growth.

Advancement Operations

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the advancement department, including fundraising, development operations, communications, events, and donor relations.
• Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain a high-performing advancement team.
• Establish clear goals, performance expectations, and professional development opportunities for staff.
• Ensure the integrity and effective use of the organization's donor database and advancement systems.
• Maintain accurate forecasting, pipeline management, reporting, and analysis.
• Ensure fundraising practices comply with applicable laws, ethical standards, and industry best practices.

Communications & Community Engagement

• Partner with communications and program leadership to tell ATC's story in compelling, authentic, and donor-centered ways.
• Strengthen ATC's visibility and reputation among philanthropic, business, civic, and community leaders.
• Develop compelling donor communications, impact reports, cases for support, and stewardship materials.
• Serve as a highly visible ambassador for ATC and its mission.

Requirements

Qualifications

The successful candidate will be a strategic and inspirational advancement professional with a demonstrated record of philanthropic success and relationship building. Required qualifications include:

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or relevant professional credentials preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible fundraising and development experience, including significant experience in major gifts and institutional philanthropy.
• Demonstrated success personally securing significant philanthropic commitments.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing advancement teams.
• Experience working effectively with CEOs, Boards, volunteers, and other senior stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of comprehensive fundraising principles, donor cultivation, moves management, stewardship, and prospect development.
• Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Strong business judgment, strategic thinking, organizational skills, and financial acumen.
• High degree of integrity, discretion, professionalism, and emotional intelligence.
• Passion for ATC's mission and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for individuals with autism and their families.

Preferred Experience

Preference may be given to candidates with experience in:

• Autism, developmental disabilities, behavioral health, healthcare, education, or human services.
• Capital or comprehensive campaigns.
• Principal and transformational gifts.
• Planned giving and endowment development.
• Corporate and foundation partnerships.
• Working with family foundations and high-net-worth individuals.
• Building philanthropic programs during periods of organizational growth or transformation.

Leadership Competencies

The ideal candidate will demonstrate: Visionary Leadership — Ability to translate organizational aspirations into a compelling philanthropic vision and strategy. Relationship Building — Exceptional ability to establish trust and cultivate authentic, long-term relationships with donors and community leaders. Fundraising Excellence — Proven ability to identify opportunities, develop strategies, make effective asks, and secure transformational gifts. Executive Presence — Confidence and credibility representing ATC with donors, Board members, executives, corporations, foundations, and civic leaders. Collaboration — Ability to work across departments and inspire others to participate in philanthropy. Strategic & Analytical Thinking — Ability to use data, forecasting, and performance metrics to guide decisions and allocate resources effectively. Mission Alignment — Deep commitment to the dignity, potential, and quality of life of people with autism and their families.