Chief Advancement Officer

The Dallas Children's Advocacy Center is seeking an experienced Chief Advancement Officer to lead the advancement and marketing team. 

Position Summary: The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is a key leadership role responsible for shaping and executing the strategic vision for all fundraising and marketing initiatives at the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center (DCAC). This individual will bring proven expertise in leading comprehensive, multimillion-dollar fundraising programs and developing innovative marketing strategies to amplify DCAC’s mission and impact.

As the driving force behind DCAC’s advancement efforts, the CAO will lead the agency’s efforts to secure $5 million annually, ensuring sustained support for programs and services. This includes strengthening donor engagement across the giving spectrum, from entry-level donors to major gifts, and building strategic partnerships with corporations and foundations. The CAO will also oversee the development and execution of cutting-edge marketing strategies to elevate DCAC’s brand, expand awareness of its mission, and position the agency as a thought leader in child advocacy.

The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead high-performing teams, foster a culture of collaboration and innovation, and align fundraising and marketing efforts to achieve measurable results. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CAO will serve as a strategic partner to the President/CEO, championing DCAC’s mission and ensuring the Centers’ long-term growth and sustainability.

Supervision of Staff:

• Director of Advancement
• Director of Marketing
• Grants Administrator
• Database Management Specialist

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Fund Development

• Strategic Planning: Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies to secure and exceed DCAC’s annual revenue goals. Align these efforts with agency priorities and programmatic needs.
• Goal Setting and Cash Flow Projections: Collaborate with the President/CEO to establish clear, measurable funding goals and create data-driven cash flow projections to maintain financial stability throughout the year. Account for revenue seasonality, donor trends, and special event schedules.
• Annual Work Plan Development: Translate funding goals into a detailed work plan that outlines fundraising activities, timelines, and metrics for success. Ensure efficient allocation of team resources to achieve maximum impact across all initiatives.
• Budget Management: Work closely with the President/CEO and Finance Department to create and manage fundraising-related budgets, ensuring expenses align with revenue projections and organizational priorities. Develop contingency plans for potential shortfalls or unexpected opportunities.
• Board Engagement: Partner with the President/CEO and Board of Trustees to create and execute short- and long-term funding strategies. Lead efforts to engage board members in individual giving, corporate contributions, and donor introductions by leading and working in close partnership with the Board Development Committee Chair and other committee members.
• Donor Lifecycle Management: Oversee strategies for cultivating donor relationships at all levels, from entry-level supporters to major gift contributors, ensuring long-term engagement.
• Corporate and Foundation Partnerships: Lead efforts to secure corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and other philanthropic investments.
• Pipeline Development:  Utilizing data driven insights, ensure that each team member has a portfolio of donors focusing to advance the Center's budget needs and ensure long-term sustainability.
• Planned Giving: Working with the President/CEO and Foundation Board of Directors create a planned giving action plan to ensure long-term sustainability of the Center.
• Special Events: Guide the Special Events team in producing impactful, mission-driven events that attract donors and strengthen community ties.

Volunteer and In-Kind Donations Program

• Program Leadership: Collaborate with the Director of Advancement to expand volunteer engagement and strategically manage in-kind donations to meet DCAC’s needs.
• Resource Allocation: Ensure donations and resources are distributed effectively to maximize their impact on DCAC’s clients and programs.

Marketing and Brand Awareness

• Brand Strategy: Develop and oversee an integrated marketing and communications strategy to strengthen DCAC’s brand and amplify its visibility in the community.
• Public Relations:  Oversee the strategy to increase brand awareness through earned media in coordination with the Center’s outside PR agency.
• Content Development: Direct the creation and management of all marketing materials, including print, digital, and multimedia content, ensuring consistency and alignment with the Center’s goals.
• Data-Driven Approach: Establish benchmarks and metrics to evaluate the success of marketing campaigns and adjust strategies accordingly.

Team Leadership

• Leadership Development: Mentor and develop a high-performing advancement team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
• Employee Engagement: Inspire staff to align their efforts with DCAC’s mission and achieve departmental and the Center’s  goals.
• Agency Alignment: Collaborate with other departments to ensure unified messaging and seamless integration of fundraising and marketing efforts.

Agency Advocacy

• Serve as a public representative of DCAC, attending events, networking with community leaders, and advocating for the agency’s mission and programs.
• Promote a culture of accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement across the organization.

Education and Experience

• 10 to 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, with extensive experience leading and developing high-performing, comprehensive, multimillion-dollar fundraising and marketing programs.
• Proven success across all aspects of fundraising operations, including building the case for support, cultivating donors, managing fundraising and events teams, and soliciting and securing major and leadership-level gifts.
• Demonstrated expertise in email marketing, creative design, and content management to support fundraising and marketing initiatives.
• Experience building and leading successful teams while fostering a culture of accountability, inclusiveness, teamwork, and collaboration.
• Ability to work effectively with volunteers, community leaders, organizations, and businesses to advocate for and promote DCAC’s mission and programs.
• Proven experience collaborating with, leading, and managing a Board of Trustees, including prominent community members, to advance agency goals.
• Successful track record in securing grants, including prospect research, pitch presentations, site visits, and maintaining long-term funder relationships, particularly in collaboration with staff and board members.
• Expertise in strategic planning, analysis, and vision casting, especially in developing multi-year revenue generation strategies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• In-depth knowledge of fundraising principles, including major gifts, grants, annual appeals, donor cultivation, ongoing operational funding, and project-based support strategies.
• Skilled in building strong, cooperative relationships within and across teams, fostering a collaborative and accountable agency culture.
• Proven enthusiasm and success in donor cultivation and major gift solicitation.
• Exceptional team-building abilities, supported by a positive attitude and strong interpersonal skills conducive to effective engagement with diverse groups.
• Persuasive and articulate communicator with outstanding oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills to effectively represent DCAC to various constituencies.
• Highly organized and capable of independently managing multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment while meeting deadlines and achieving fundraising goals.
• Comfortable navigating diverse social settings, including interactions with individuals of substantial influence and wealth, while building meaningful, lasting relationships.
• Business acumen to assess risk, prioritize effectively, and influence key issues by engaging with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to protect confidential information and establish trust and rapport with donors and partners for long-term agency support.

What Makes DCAC Unique?

At DCAC, we are united by a profound mission to make a difference in the lives of child abuse victims. Our team thrives on innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity. We believe in empowering every team member to bring their whole self to work, contributing to a dynamic and forward-thinking culture.

We offer:

• Flexible hybrid work arrangements.
• Opportunities to lead groundbreaking initiatives.
• A supportive environment that values well-being, creativity, and growth.

Core Values:

• We are child-centered, family-focused, and community-driven.
• We act with dignity and compassion in all that we do.
• We recognize our staff as our greatest asset.
• We operate as a seamless team.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:
DCAC is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe in fostering an inclusive culture where all voices are heard and valued. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

BENEFITS:

• 100% Paid Employee Health Insurance-PPO
• 100% Paid Employee Dental Insurance
• 100% Paid Short Term Disability
• 100% Paid Long Term Disability
• 100% Paid Basic Term Life and AD&D Benefits (one times your annual earnings up to $50,000)
• Vision Insurance through Superior Vision
• Pet Insurance through Nationwide
• Legal Services through Freshbenies
• Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Spending Account
• Six (6) weeks' of paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
• Health Advocate
• WellVia Teladoc Program
• 403b Retirement and Contribution Plan with up to a 4% employer contribution
• Supplemental Insurance: Accident Insurance, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance
• Bilingual Stipend (English/Spanish) of $2,700 annually
• Cell Phone Stipend
• 10 Paid Holidays
• 2 Floating Holidays
• 14 Wellness Days
• 10 Vacation Days 
• DCAC participates in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)