Chief Advancement Officer

CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER Girl Scouts San Diego (GSSD) is one of 111 councils affiliated with Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA). Each council operates as an independent 501(c)3 organization. Together, we are building a legacy of empowerment that will inspire and uplift generations to come. Through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, our relevant programs and experiences focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), the outdoors, life skills, and entrepreneurship (including the cookie and fall product programs), where girls learn to empower themselves and foster a sense of wellbeing and a lifetime of leadership and success. Girl Scouts San Diego (GSSD) just completed the first year of a 3-5 year strategic plan with a vision to be the go to partner for developing and elevating girl and women leaders in San Diego and Imperial Counties. Beyond traditional leadership development, our relevant programs and experiences foster a sense of wellbeing in girls, so they are well-rounded individual poised for success in life. All the funds raised in San Diego support more than 8,000 volunteers and 15,000 girls in grades K-12 in San Diego and Imperial counties. Position Summary We are seeking a dynamic and visionary fundraising leader to join our executive team to drive the council's philanthropic efforts. In this role, you will be instrumental in shaping and implementing an ambitious strategic plan designed to drive transformative change and growth within Girl Scouts San Diego (GSSD). Your leadership will be pivotal in building and expanding financial resources, forging strategic partnerships, and elevating GSSD's visibility and impact within the community. The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) will: Serve as a member on Girl Scouts San Diego's Executive Leadership team alongside the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Mission Delivery Officer. Lead a team of 6 FTE development professionals to meet the current annual fundraising goal of $2.5 million and 4 FTE marketing and communications professionals to meet the annual Marketing and Communications goals. Systematically strengthen the organization's overall fundraising capacity to meet increased fundraising goals each year. Personally manage a major gifts ($10,000+) portfolio, building and maintaining relationships with 30-50 top level donors and prospects. Elevate and support the marketing and communication priorities across the organization. Key Duties & Responsibilities Strategic Planning & Execution: Take primary ownership of creating and executing a new, 3-year strategic development plan to include annual and capital campaign needs. Lead, develop and oversee the execution of strategies for all of Girl Scout San Diego's fundraising areas including campaigns, major gifts, individual giving, planned giving, special events, foundation grants, government funding, corporate sponsorships, and an annual fund. Internal Management: Serve as a close strategic advisor and partner to the CEO, as well as a member of the Executive Leadership team. Serve as liaison to the Board of Directors and the Philanthropy Committee. Support other Board committees as needed. Build a culture of philanthropy across the organization and the Board, demonstrating how all can be stronger advocates for Girl Scouts San Diego in the community. Work to foster a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring the highest level of internal and external customer service. Coach, mentor, develop, lead and empower Girl Scout San Diego's advancement team members. Create and manage clear success metrics with accountability for achieving goals. Fundraising Operations: Plan and execute a moves management approach to individual and institutional giving. Refine and/or establish policies, systems and procedures, with a special emphasis on professionalism and ethical standards, for soliciting, acknowledging, tracking, and reporting gifts. Assist with the planning and implementation of events to deliver a superb donor experience and meet fundraising goals. Oversee the appropriate use of donor software and reporting, ensuring donor privacy, data accuracy and timeliness of acknowledgements and reporting. Leverage technology and data across all development strategies and practices. Donor Relations & Communication: Maintain a personal portfolio of approximately 30-50 top donors and prospects. Solicit and close major gifts to meet annual goals. Develop and maintain in-depth knowledge of GSSD program offerings and services to articulate need and impact to donors. Build and maintain critical relationships with key local organizations and partners. Provide outstanding customer service and support to donors, volunteers, staff and other community contacts. Create and implement innovative strategies for securing new and untapped funding resources. Integrate development with marketing/communications strategies to maximize Girl Scout San Diego's brand exposure and fundraising opportunities in collaboration with the marketing team. Attributes & Work Style Visionary: Drives the vision for Girl Scouts San Diego's fundraising efforts, which ultimately benefits the lives of girls throughout our community. Servant-Leader: Leads with humility, empathy and awareness; actively contributes to employees' ability to reach their goals and thrive at GSSD. Creates and Fosters Trust: Honest and consistent communication, accountability to self and others, earnest collaboration. Collaborative: Fosters a respectful, transparent, and collaborative work environment. Community-minded: Connects well with individuals across all socio-economic, ethnic, cultural, and professional backgrounds. Proactive & Perseverant: Demonstrates strong personal initiative and the ability to drive projects through to completion. Positive: Charismatic, warm and welcoming; a true "people-person. Growth Mindset: Open to appropriate new opportunities and ideas for GSSD. Analytical: Studies issues, identifies trends and formulates new ideas. Metrics-Driven: Pairs ideas with solutions and measurable outcomes. Adaptive: Works well independently and in teams. Reflective: Skilled at receiving and giving feedback. Tact & Diplomacy: Patient, willing and able to have difficult conversations as required. Communicative: Effectively represents the organization with strong written and oral communication skills. Flexible: Willing to work evenings and weekends as required. Seasoned leader with fundraising, marketing, and communications experience. Bachelor's degree or equivalent in related field; Master's degree preferred. At least 10 or more years of progressively responsible experience in fund development/philanthropy, with proven success in campaign development and achievement. Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and/or other professional fundraising certification is highly desired. Knowledge of marketing and communications principles, campaign management, and current trends. Proven success in building and maintaining strong relationships with donors, board members, community partners, staff and volunteers. Successful track record of fundraising achievements and leadership of a nonprofit development team. Experienced in constructing, articulating and implementing a strategic development plan. Direct experience and success cultivating, soliciting and stewarding 5 and 6 figure gifts. Experience developing and managing budgets over $2M. Significant fundraising success with individual donors. Strong analytical skills and ability to use data to drive fundraising, partnership decisions and forecasting. Strong leadership skills to mentor and motivate staff to reach foundation, corporate, and government development goals. A history of working directly with board members in support of fundraising efforts. Knowledge of local and regional corporate and foundation communities; preexisting connection to the San Diego community preferred. An expert storyteller who can channel personal connection to GSSD's mission. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written); ability to convey information in a clear, concise method. Significant skill in successfully managing multiple projects on tight deadlines and under pressure in a fast-paced environment. Experience with fundraising/donor databases (Raiser's Edge preferred); proficiency with prospect research tools. Passion and belief in the mission and values of Girl Scouting; willing to subscribe to the principles expressed in the Girl Scout Promise and Girl Scout Law. Please visit to learn more about the organization, mission, vision and impact. Salary range: $160,000 - $185,000 depending on experience and qualifications. Girl Scouts San Diego is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering and cultivating inclusive, equitable and culturally conscious experiences. We strive for members, volunteers, staff, and diverse communities to see themselves represented, feel welcome, and have a sense of belonging and support. We seek partnerships that support this position and help us realize this commitment across our council.