Chief Advancement Officer

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.

The CAO holds primary responsibility for fundraising performance and overall revenue growth, including major gifts, institutional giving, capital campaigns, and advancement-driven opportunities that enable Gracelight to expand services, invest in its workforce, and meet the needs of the communities it serves. Through this work, the CAO ensures that external growth and resource development efforts directly support patient care, health equity, and measurable community impact.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Develops and stewards strategic community and institutional partnerships that strengthen Gracelight's visibility, expand referral pipelines, and support program growth and service expansion.
5. Oversees organizational marketing, communications, and brand strategy to support fundraising goals, partnership development, patient growth, and mission-aligned public visibility.
6. Builds, leads, and supports a high-performing advancement organization, including teams responsible for development, marketing, communications, partnerships, and external engagement.
7. Establishes systems, tools, and performance measures to track fundraising results, revenue opportunities, and advancement outcomes, and reports progress to executive leadership.
8. 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.
9. Supports donor cultivation and stewardship efforts, including preparing and engaging executive leadership and the Board of Directors in major fundraising, capital, and strategic initiatives.
10. Represents Gracelight in donor, partner, and community settings as appropriate to advance revenue generation, partnerships, and mission visibility.
11. Perform other leadership duties as needed to support the mission and strategic growth of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

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.

• 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:

The physical, environmental, and mental requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. Regular use of hands for typing, writing, and handling office materials. The employee frequently sits, stands, and walks. Occasional reaching, bending, balancing, stooping, kneeling, or crouching may be required. The employee may occasionally need to lift/carry objects up to 15 lbs and push/pull objects up to 25 lbs .
• Sensory: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to read and analyze printed and electronic documents, including reports, spreadsheets, and policy materials. The employee must be able to distinguish normal speech with background noise in office and virtual environments and effectively communicate in person, over the phone, and via video conferencing. The employee must have sufficient visual acuity to work on a computer for extended periods, review fine print, and discern color variations in graphs, charts, and presentations. The role requires the ability to comprehend and respond to verbal and non-verbal cues in meetings and discussions.
• Cognitive: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sustain focus on complex tasks for extended periods with frequent interruptions. The employee must analyze and process large volumes of information, assess multiple variables, and make high-level decisions under pressure. The employee must be able to retain and recall details across multiple projects, prioritize tasks efficiently, and adapt to shifting priorities. Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and executive functioning skills are required to manage deadlines and high-pressure situations. The employee must communicate complex information clearly, both verbally and in writing, and actively participate in meetings, both in-person and remotely. The role requires the ability to evaluate competing priorities, interpret data, and formulate logical conclusions. Executive functioning skills, such as organizing, planning, and prioritizing work efficiently, are essential. The employee is required to meet deadlines, adapt to changing circumstances, and work effectively in high-pressure situations. The employee must demonstrate a high level of emotional intelligence, including the ability to regulate emotions, navigate complex interpersonal relationships, and manage stress effectively. The role requires the ability to assess situations objectively, influence stakeholders, and foster collaboration across diverse teams. The ability to make sound decisions in emotionally charged or high-stakes situations is essential to success in this position.
• 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.
• This position requires the ability to travel between sites for business purposes. Employees must be able to reliably fulfill this travel requirement as needed.
• A personal cell phone with reliable service and a data plan to use for business purposes.