Chief Advancement Officer

About KIPP TEAM and Family

KIPP TEAM & Family is our network office that includes support teams - such as Leadership Development, Recruitment, Advocacy, Facilities, Finance, HR and more - dedicated to empowering our schools and ensuring the success of KIPP students throughout New Jersey and Miami. Our schools are part of the nationally recognized “Knowledge Is Power Program” network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students for success in college and in life. The first KIPP New Jersey school opened in Newark in 2002 and since then our school network has expanded to educate 8,684 students in grades K-12. By 2027, KIPP New Jersey will provide a world-class education to over 10,300 students across Newark and Camden. To learn more, visit www.kippnj.org.

In 2018, we grew our KIPP community in response to a need for high-quality school options for students in Greater Miami’s Urban Core communities. That led to the creation of KIPP Miami, which currently educates more than 1,200 students in 2 schools, with plans to reach 5,800 students by 2026. By offering highly effective educators with strong bonds to families, more time in school learning, services that support a variety of student needs, and a culture focused on achievement, our students in New Jersey and Miami are on the path to and through college, career, and choice-filled lives.

KIPP TEAM and Family is driving towards operating 40+ schools by 2033, serving 24,000 students. The Chief Advancement Officer (CADO)  will lead efforts to expand to new regions and raise the funds necessary for growth and sustainability of the network. The Chief Advancement Officer will lead the development and growth teams to successfully launch new regions and raise the necessary funds to ensure the success of our schools. 

The CADO is a critical, strategic leadership position responsible for crafting and executing the development strategy and vision for KIPP TEAM & Family, KIPP New Jersey, and KIPP Miami. As we embark upon growing our network to double in size, our ideal candidate is a data-driven, results-oriented leader who is willing to do whatever it takes to secure the resources needed to build world-class schools for our students and top-of-class college access and success programming through KIPP Forward. The CADO will be at the forefront of identifying and selecting new regions, establishing KIPP in these regions, and driving sustainable growth in philanthropic contributions across all the cities where we’re currently located and those we plan to expand to. The CADO will lead efforts to effectively convey the impact of donations to supporters. In addition to managing their own, growing portfolio of donors, the CDO will provide leadership and mentorship to a team of development and growth professionals, and will build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.  This role requires a deep commitment to KIPP's mission and a passion for story-telling. 
The CADO will sit on the executive leadership team and will be specifically responsible for the following:

Lead Development 

• Craft the annual development strategy and vision for KIPP TEAM & Family, KIPP New Jersey, and KIPP Miami, integrating historical best practices and innovative development strategies.

• Manage an extensive individual portfolio of prospects and donors

• Meet the organization’s fundraising target of $9+ million per year

• Secure funds needed for growth including seed money to launch new regions

• Develop a multi-year fundraising and engagement strategy to achieve sustained, long-term growth in philanthropic contributions

• Engage stakeholders in the strategic vision of the organization

• Lead efforts to effectively communicate the story of KIPP NJ|Miami to donors, showcasing the impact of their contribution.

• Serve as the campaign officer for large, multi-year fundraising campaigns

• Utilize data to inform best practices, decision-making, and storytelling

Lead Growth and Advocacy 

• Lead efforts to expand to additional cities in New Jersey and Florida

• Develop a growth strategy and plan for each state

• Codify due diligence and selection processes for expansion

• Lead interdepartmental project teams to achieve growth outcomes

• Build stakeholder coalitions in regions identified for growth

• Lead efforts to build local boards

• Lead statewide advocacy efforts to support growth efforts and protect public funding and the charter sector

• Lead efforts to secure the funds necessary to support growth in new regions and the infrastructure needed to expand

• Identify and cultivate large donors and seed funding for regions identified for expansion

Team Leadership and Management 

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth within the development and growth teams

• Promote a culture of collaboration and excellence

• Set ambitious goals for the development and growth teams

• Hold the teams accountable for achieving results

• Provide support to the teams as necessary in their core functions

Relationship Building 

• Establish strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including school-based staff, board members, and donors

• Adapt communication styles to effectively collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders.

• Build strong relationships across lines of difference.

Board Stewardship 

• Manage relationships with board members, especially those who are our largest donors.

• Cultivate and develop new board members.

• Ensure board members are engaged with the mission of the organization.

Senior Leadership 

• Serve as a member of the organization’s senior leadership team, setting the direction and strategy for the organization.

• Serve as an active member of the Co-President’s team across all external functions, including growth, development, real estate,  marketing, communications, student recruitment and advocacy.

• Actively participate in senior leadership team meetings and regular stepbacks to drive progress across the organization.

The ideal candidate for this role should possess the following qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage high-level board or donor relationships – either through prior, successful experience in a similar role or through assessed potential.

• A deep belief in KIPP's mission and vision, with a commitment to championing our children, families, communities, and programming.

• Well-honed ability to craft external resources and presentations for multiple audiences and purposes

• Experience developing and closing seven-figure or greater deals stretching across multiple years

• Successful experience in relationship development, building personal trust and making successful asks

• A strong advocate for racial justice, equity, and inclusion.

• Exceptional relationship-building skills and a passion for engaging with a wide range of stakeholders.

• Comfortable using data to drive priorities and effectively communicate KIPP NJ|Miami's story.

• Excellent written communication skills.

• A relentless focus on solutions and results.

• Ability to remain organized and thrive in a role with competing priorities and ambiguity.

• Operates with humility and optimism as a member of the senior leadership team.

• Strong consensus-building skills and an engaged, active listener.

• Familiarity with fundraising software and data analytics tools.

• Ability to communicate KIPP’s vision, mission and results with an external audience

• Comfort with collaboration and coordination of relationships with decision makers and influencers of organizations

• Bachelor's degree.

• Prior experience in a senior leadership position.

Preferred Skills:

• Master's degree in a related field

• Experience working at a KIPP region or similar Charter Management Organization  

• Experience in the education or non-profit sector

• Knowledge of the education landscape and charter schools

Abilities 

• Is intellectually curious

• Has demonstrated effective outcomes and results, and wants to be held accountable for them

• Has a propensity for action, willing to make mistakes by doing in order to learn and improve quickly

• Works with urgency and purpose to drive student outcomes

• Thrives in an entrepreneurial, high-growth environment; is comfortable with ambiguity and change

• Seeks and responds well to feedback, which is shared often and freely across all levels of the organization

• Works through silos and forges strong cross-departmental relationships in order to achieve outcomes

Required Educational  & Field Related Experience 

• Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s Degree preferred

• Experience: At least 10 years of professional experience, with at least five years of development experience

• K-12 Education experience a plus

• Experience with real estate transactions a plus

Physical Requirements 

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands:

• Ability to travel 20% - 50%

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Compensation & Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, KIPP TEAM & FAMILY offers a full comprehensive benefits plan, including health care, retirement, a school laptop and transportation benefits for TEAMmates commuting into New Jersey from the New York City area. 

KIPP New Jersey | KIPP Miami is an equal opportunity employer