Chief Advancement Officer

Job Description

Job Description

Position Announcement: Chief Advancement Officer

Community Action Partnership of Strafford County

Dover, New Hampshire

Compensation: $90,000–$115,000 (DOE) + comprehensive benefits

Executive Opportunity

Community Action Partnership of Strafford County (CAPSC), a highly respected nonprofit organization with a 60-year history of service, seeks a seasoned Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) to lead and elevate its fundraising, communications, and community engagement functions. This is a pivotal executive leadership role for a results-driven advancement professional who thrives in mission-centered, complex organizations.

CAPSC operates with an annual budget of approximately $19 million and a staff of 147, delivering essential services—including food security, housing, early childhood education, utilities assistance, transportation, and emergency shelter—across 13 communities in Strafford County, New Hampshire.

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and partnering closely with the Board of Directors, the Chief Advancement Officer will provide strategic vision and operational leadership for all philanthropic and advancement activities. The CAO will be responsible for growing and diversifying revenue, strengthening donor and community relationships, enhancing brand visibility, and leveraging data to inform strategy and measure impact.

This role oversees a multidisciplinary Advancement team and serves as a key member of the senior leadership team, contributing to agency-wide strategy, sustainability, and organizational growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute a comprehensive advancement strategy encompassing major gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation partnerships, grants, planned giving, communications, marketing, and special events

• Serve as a principal relationship-builder for CAPSC, personally cultivating and stewarding major donors and key institutional partners

• Advise and support the CEO and Board in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and external relations

• Oversee brand management, marketing, and communications to advance fundraising and client service goals

• Direct advancement data strategy, including collection, analysis, dashboards, and reporting to inform executive and Board decision-making

• Ensure strong systems for donor management, gift tracking, and performance measurement

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Advancement team

• Partner with executive leadership on cross-functional strategic initiatives that strengthen CAPSC’s long-term impact and sustainability

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree a plus

• Minimum of five years of progressive senior-level fundraising leadership with demonstrated revenue growth

• Proven success in major gifts and relationship-driven philanthropy

• Experience working effectively with Boards, executive leadership, and diverse external stakeholders

• Strategic thinker with strong execution skills and attention to detail

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage budgets, and drive organizational change

• High level of professionalism, integrity, and passion for community-based mission work

• Comfortable working evenings and weekends as needed to support advancement activities

Compensation & Benefits

CAPSC offers a competitive compensation package, including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage; 403(b) retirement plan; generous paid time off; twelve paid holidays; flexible spending accounts; childcare reimbursement; life and disability insurance; and work/life support resources.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references