Chief Advancement Officer - College of Engineering

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) seeks a seasoned and inspirational fundraising professional to serve as the next Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) for the College of Engineering. Joining Dean Burcu Akinci at the outset of her tenure and serving as an integral member of the Dean’s senior management team, the CAO will provide bold strategic vision, leadership, and direction for all fundraising, alumni engagement, and stewardship activities for COE.

The new CAO will join the College of Engineering at a moment of transition, working with a new dean who is a long-standing member of the College of Engineering in a variety of academic and leadership roles, and at a moment of reflection and reprioritization following the end of a comprehensive campaign. The CAO will serve as a key partner as the Dean frames and realizes her vision for COE, and will provide leadership and management for the vision, direction, planning, and execution of fundraising and alumni relations activities for the College.

Core responsibilities include:

Advancement Strategy and Leadership

• Provide leadership and management of the vision, direction, planning, and execution of fundraising and alumni engagement activities for the College of Engineering.
• Serve as a senior advisor to the Dean and a key member of the College’s leadership team in shaping and implementing a comprehensive and effective advancement strategy.
• Identify, articulate, and prioritize fundraising and engagement opportunities aligned with the College’s strategic objectives.
• Set strategy for and support the Dean’s and senior faculty members’ advancement and external engagement activities.

Fundraising & External Engagement

• Lead the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual and foundation donors in support of the College.
• Personally manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and donors, including alumni and philanthropic leaders.
• Collaborate with faculty and academic leadership to translate research and educational strengths into compelling fundraising opportunities.
• Engage with the Dean’s Advocacy Council, setting their collective sights on the new Dean’s priorities.

Collaboration and Integration

• Coordinate with central foundation relations, major gift officers, planned giving officers, CAOs of other colleges, and other teams to secure increased investment in the College of Engineering.
• Collaborate closely with central university advancement departments, including donor relations, alumni relations, advancement services, and strategic philanthropic initiatives.

Operations, Reporting, and Management

• Report on the results of all advancement activities related to the College of Engineering.
• Manage the College’s interest in the University’s database of donors and prospects in alignment with University standards and systems.
• Devise and implement metrics to measure the performance of the advancement activities within the College of Engineering.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and evaluate the performance of professional and support staff engaged in advancement and alumni relations.
• Build a high-performing, collaborative, and service-oriented advancement team.

The next CAO will have proven success leading development staff through the process of setting and achieving annual and long-range fundraising goals with an ability to transform new ideas into executable and enduring programs.

Qualifications:

• At least ten years of progressively responsible advancement or development experience in higher education, with at least five years in a management or leadership role; experience in a campaign environment is strongly preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of major gift fundraising, corporate and foundation giving, and comprehensive campaigns.
• Demonstrated success in developing and managing relationships with deans, faculty leaders, volunteer leadership, and major donors or prospects.
• Staff and program management experience in a complex organization.
• Excellent writing, interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Requirements: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

NOMINATION AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES:

Carnegie Mellon University has retained Isaacson Miller to assist in this important search. All applications, nominations, and inquiries are welcome. Applications should include a cover letter and resume.

Apply via Isaacson Miller’s candidate portal: Chief Advancement Officer – College of Engineering

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to: Jack Gorman, JGorman@imsearch.com