Chief Advancement Officer

Chief Advancement Officer (CAO)

Position: Chief Advancement Officer (CAO)
Location: Los Angeles, CA 90022
Type: Full Time

Job Summary

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is a key member of Gracelight Community Health’s executive leadership team and is responsible for leading the organization’s advancement and external growth efforts. The CAO develops and executes an integrated strategy to secure philanthropic support while expanding revenue opportunities through government relations, community partnerships, outreach, and other external growth initiatives that strengthen patient access and support Gracelight’s long-term sustainability.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Leads the development and execution of Gracelight’s advancement and external growth strategy to generate philanthropic and other advancement-driven revenue in support of patient care, access, and community impact.
• Holds primary responsibility for fundraising performance and revenue growth, including unrestricted operating support, major gifts, institutional giving, capital campaigns, and other advancement-related revenue opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
• Leads government relations efforts to support public funding opportunities, legislative engagement, and policy initiatives that advance Gracelight’s mission and long-term sustainability, in coordination with the Chief Executive Officer.
• Develops and stewards strategic community and institutional partnerships that strengthen Gracelight’s visibility, expand referral pipelines, and support program growth and service expansion.
• Oversees organizational marketing, communications, and brand strategy to support fundraising goals, partnership development, patient growth, and mission-aligned public visibility.
• Builds, leads, and supports a high-performing advancement organization, including teams responsible for development, marketing, communications, partnerships, and external engagement.
• Establishes systems, tools, and performance measures to track fundraising results, revenue opportunities, and advancement outcomes, and reports progress to executive leadership.
• Works collaboratively with operational and clinical leadership to align external growth strategies with organizational capacity, service priorities, and community needs, without direct responsibility for enrollment or access operations.
• Supports donor cultivation and stewardship efforts, including preparing and engaging executive leadership and the Board of Directors in major fundraising, capital, and strategic initiatives.
• Represents Gracelight in donor, partner, and community settings as appropriate to advance revenue generation, partnerships, and mission visibility.
• Perform other leadership duties as needed to support the mission and strategic growth of the organization.

Qualifications, Skills & Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, communications, nonprofit management, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation highly preferred.
• Minimum of seven years of progressive leadership experience in advancement, fundraising, or external growth roles, preferably within a nonprofit, healthcare, or mission-driven organization.
• Demonstrated success securing significant philanthropic support from individuals, foundations, corporations, and public sources.
• Proven experience leading capital campaigns and managing complex, multi-year fundraising initiatives.
• Strong strategic planning and financial acumen, with the ability to align revenue strategies with organizational priorities and community impact.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain high-level relationships across sectors, including donors, institutional partners, and community leaders.
• Experience building and leading high-performing advancement, marketing, or external engagement teams with accountability for results.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent the organization effectively with senior stakeholders.
• Ability to operate effectively as a member of an executive leadership team in a complex, multi-site organization.
• Flexibility to work onsite or remotely, and to attend in-person meetings or events as needed across Gracelight’s sites.

Physical, Environmental, and Mental Requirements

• Physical: Regular use of hands for typing, writing, and handling office materials; frequent sitting, standing, and walking; occasional reaching, bending, balancing, stooping, kneeling, or crouching; may occasionally need to lift/carry objects up to 15 lbs and push/pull objects up to 25 lbs.
• Sensory: Frequent reading and analysis of printed and electronic documents, reports, spreadsheets, and policy materials; ability to distinguish normal speech with background noise and communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and via video conferencing; sufficient visual acuity for extended computer use, reviewing fine print, and discerning color variations in graphs, charts, and presentations; ability to comprehend and respond to verbal and non‑verbal cues in meetings and discussions.
• Cognitive: Sustaining focus on complex tasks for extended periods with frequent interruptions; analyzing and processing large volumes of information; assessing multiple variables and making high-level decisions under pressure; retaining and recalling details across multiple projects; prioritizing tasks efficiently; adapting to shifting priorities; strong problem‑solving, critical thinking, and executive functioning skills; communicating complex information clearly, both verbally and in writing; participating actively in meetings, both in‑person and remotely; evaluating competing priorities, interpreting data, and formulating logical conclusions; organizing, planning, and prioritizing work efficiently; meeting deadlines, adapting to changing circumstances, and working effectively in high-pressure situations; demonstrating high emotional intelligence—including regulating emotions, navigating complex interpersonal relationships, and managing stress effectively; making sound decisions in emotionally charged or high‑stakes situations.
• Environmental: Frequent exposure to varied office and mixed (health center/office) environments; occasional exposure to toxins and poisonous substances, dust, and loud noises.

Special Requirements

• Must be able to meet and receive a criminal records clearance, as required by Title XXII, other licensing regulations, and Gracelight practices.
• Requires the ability to travel between sites for business purposes; must reliably fulfill this travel requirement as needed.
• Requires a personal cell phone with reliable service and a data plan for business use.

EEO Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.