Chief Advancement Officer

As a trusted partner in disability services since 1965, Lifeworks Services Inc. is working to make disability inclusion the standard, not the exception. From grassroots beginnings, Lifeworks has evolved alongside people with disabilities and their families, supporting over 9,000 people annually. Lifeworks provides straightforward solutions that help people connect with the support and resources they need at home, at work, and in the community. In collaboration with employers, organizations, and government agencies, Lifeworks is creating communities that are more inclusive of people with disabilities.

The organization operates four Lifeworks Centers for Disability Inclusion locations in Apple Valley, New Hope, Mankato, and Richfield. Its reach extends to 69 of Minnesota's counties, partnering with a network of over 450 businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations.

Through its core services, more than 540 people receive Employment support, over 260 people connect with their communities through Day Support, and 2,780+ Minnesotans self-direct their in-home care through Lifeworks. In 2024, Lifeworks began offering disability inclusion and consulting services, educating over 9,300 individuals since launch.

As an advocate for inclusion, Lifeworks is resolutely committed to self-determined support, careers with competitive wages and developing innovative opportunities that enhance everyday lives. The Lifeworks leadership team and employees embrace a common set of core values to guide their work:

• You Lead the Way. We Listen . We honor choice and pursue opportunities with community at the heart of our work.
• Together, We Break Down Barriers . We seek diverse perspectives, advance accessibility, and encourage a sense of belonging for all.
• We Focus on Impact . We hold ourselves to the highest standards. We share expertise and collaborate to find solutions that address the whole picture.
• We Reinvent What's Possible . We take chances and welcome the unknown. We learn from the past and lean into the future.

The 2025 - 2028 Lifeworks Strategic Plan focuses on the following key areas:

• Continuous Improvement Culture: Foster an inclusive and high-performing culture
• Scalable Infrastructure: Modernize physical assets, service delivery, and IT systems
• Advancing Universal Disability Inclusion: Champion disability inclusion across communities, workplaces, and policies
• Access and Expansion: Expand to underserved geographies and populations

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Position Summary

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is a senior executive at Lifeworks, responsible for leading the organization's development and marketing teams as a key member of Lifeworks' leadership team. The CAO will be instrumental in cultivating a culture of generosity and community investment across the organization, working closely with both executive leaders and the Board of Directors. The CAO will bring a broad and integrated perspective to both development and marketing, generating multifaceted value in support of the mission.


The CAO will be a passionate champion for Lifeworks' philanthropic vision, leading the design and implementation of fundraising strategy, capital campaigns and special funding initiatives that attract and steward the financial resources required to fulfill the organization's mission. Beyond fundraising, the CAO will provide strategic leadership across both development and marketing/communications, ensuring a unified and compelling message to all stakeholders.

The CAO is expected to be highly engaged in the funding community and a contributor to increasing the visibility and enhancing the perception of Lifeworks, both regionally and nationally.

Reports to: CEO

Direct Reports: VP of Fund Development and Senior Marketing Manager

Other key relationships: Chief Financial Officer, Chief People Officer, Chief Growth Officer

Position Location: Richfield, Minnesota

Compensation: Base salary range $185K-205K plus up to 20% bonus potential; best-in-class benefits package;403(b) plan employer contribution up to 7%; generous PTO

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Strategic Leadership

• As a critical member of the executive team, partner with peers to shape and execute on the organization's long-term vision and strategy and annual goals and objectives.
• Actively build a culture of philanthropy across Lifeworks, deepening understanding and appreciation for the impact of philanthropy. Inspire a shared commitment to leveraging philanthropy as a powerful driver in achieving the organization's mission and realizing its full potential.
• Lead with mission-driven passion and confidence to tackle Lifeworks' big goals, from effective storytelling to engaging board members to developing corporate employment partners and revitalizing volunteers and more.
• Ensure effective collaboration, coordination and communication across the organization to strengthen relationships and amplify impacts.
• Participate in Board of Directors meetings and play an active leadership role on the Development Committee, in coordination with the Committee Chair.
• Ensure that systems and infrastructure are in place to support effective development operations and donor engagement.

People & Culture Leadership

• Lead and develop an energized, motivated, cross-functional team that drives revenue production and excellent donor experiences, by leveraging the unique strengths of team members.
• Regularly review and evaluate staffing model, priorities and efficiencies. Make recommendations to optimize team performance, ensuring a culture of excellence.
• Coach staff, department leaders, the President/CEO, the Board and volunteers in cultivating major donor/funder relationships and solicitation of major gifts and grants.
• Champion a culture of innovation by remaining open to new ideas, embracing continuous learning, and demonstrating the flexibility needed to adapt and support change as opportunities arise.
• Build and lead a high-performing team, investing in each person's growth and creating pathways for professional development that strengthen both individual and organizational capability.

Development Leadership

• Develop, execute and advance the vision for philanthropic development and ensure operational plans are aligned with strategic directives.
• Lead the team involved in the creation and execution of annual and multi-year fundraising strategies, plans and goals.
• Identify new philanthropic revenue opportunities that address emerging priorities.
• Develop and execute comprehensive strategy for special events to increase Lifeworks' financial return and standing in the community, including sponsorships, partnerships and grant management.
• Be a visible and proactive leader within the communities Lifeworks serves, with a particular focus on the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area.
• Build and nurture relationships with major donors, foundations, and key stakeholders to strengthen the organization's presence and impact.

Donor Relations and Stewardship

• Ensure appropriate people, systems and processes are in place to actively engage and cultivate Lifeworks community of supporters - those who give, advocate, and volunteer. Deepen understanding and appreciation of the development function, and unlock the full potential of philanthropy to advance the organization's mission.
• Serve as lead fundraising strategist, engaging prospects and donors in effective cultivation, solicitation and stewardship, ensuring best practices are adopted.
• Personally steward a portfolio of key donors and model effective donor cultivation.
• Help the organization sustain and grow relationships with current and past donors and capital campaign funders.

Marketing and Communications Leadership

• Ensure donor communications are relevant, impactful and timely, finding creative ways to keep donors and stakeholders close.
• Serve as a chief external ambassador, speaking on behalf of the organization to donors, media, and community partners.
• Partner with CEO and CGO to expand Lifeworks' thought leadership and influence in the disability inclusion landscape.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be an innovative and forward-thinking advancement leader with strong strategic marketing acumen and a proven track record of achieving ambitious financial goals and advancing key business objectives. They will have experience leading leaders, working with a board and/or senior executives and managing a variety of funding sources.

This individual will be deeply aligned with the mission of Lifeworks - driven not by title or personal achievement, but by a genuine belief in the power of philanthropy to change lives. This leader is fulfilled by developing others, building lasting relationships and contributing to something larger than themselves.

Beyond technical capability, they model a growth mindset and transparent communication, actively champion inclusion and equity and engage meaningfully with individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds. This leader will foster a supportive, collaborative team culture that empowers others and drives collective success.

This leader brings self-awareness and composure to high-stakes situations, navigating ambiguity and organizational complexity with steadiness. They are energized by the pace and visibility that come with executive leadership in a dynamic, mission-driven organization.

Leadership Competencies Expected

Strategic Acumen: Understands the market, identifies trends and drives the organization to create comprehensive, competitive and breakthrough strategies. Prioritizes strategically, leading the organization to pursue and capitalize on the best opportunities.

Transformational Leadership: Defines a clear vision for reinventing the function to better align with the enterprise's strategic priorities. Empowers employees at various levels within the function to act on that vision. Actively drives the transformation by celebrating short-term wins and sharing learnings.

Champions Innovation: Constructively challenges the prevailing wisdom or accepted ways of doing things. Pushes the organization to identify new approaches and uncover unconventional ideas that drive value using data and insights. Supports well-reasoned risks and new ideas.

Fosters Collaboration: Creates an environment that supports collaboration by facilitating communication and coordination across all parts of the organization. Intentionally invests in building productive relationships and trust, encourages healthy discourse and ensures that diverse viewpoints are explored. Builds an intentional and cohesive culture that aligns functional agendas and unites the team.

Builds Talent : : Develops and maintains high-performing teams, and coaches other leaders to develop their own leadership capabilities. Ensures all leaders and team members challenge and support each other while respecting others' unique roles and contributions.

Requirements

In addition to demonstration of the Leadership Competencies above, key skills and experiences desired include:

• 5+ years of experience as a top-level executive, including experience as an engaged member of an executive team
• Demonstrated success developing and implementing a cohesive advancement strategy that integrates development and marketing functions with measurable impact on brand visibility, stakeholder engagement and revenue growth
• 5+ years of successful staff management and development, including leading leaders
• Experience building and elevating organizational brands, increasing market visibility and positioning an organization as a recognized thought leader within its sector
• Proven ability to develop strategic partnerships with corporate, community, government and philanthropic stakeholders that generate both financial support and long-term organizational value
• Strong experience identifying growth opportunities, expanding market reach and developing innovative revenue streams aligned with organizational mission and impact
• Strong executive presence and relationship-building skills with the ability to influence across corporate, philanthropic, civic and governmental sectors
• Experience with campaign leadership, annual giving programs and development operations
• Experience working with a Board of Directors
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including presentation and public speaking; enjoys discussion and debate
• Current, active network of high-level donors, emerging donors and foundation leadership in Minnesota, preferred
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
• Fundraising certification such as CFRE or ACFRE preferred

Compensation


Base salary range $185K-205K plus up to 20% bonus potential

Best-in-class benefits package including:

• Comprehensive health coverage including extensive medical, dental, and vision plans with low premiums and copays, covering a wide range of services. Additionally, offering short-term and long-term disability, life insurance.
• Retirement Plans offering competitive 403(b) employer contributions up to 7%.
• Generous Paid Time Off and Holiday pay.

To Apply

Lifeworks' hybrid work model and inclusive culture emphasize collaboration, interpersonal relationships, and high-quality performance. Presence on-site or in-person will be defined by the needs of the business.


Lifeworks strives to be radically accessible, diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We appreciate the vibrancy of differences, center the voices of silenced and marginalized people, and champion universal rights.


Lifeworks Services is committed to hiring people from a variety of diverse cultures with diverse life experiences. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status; genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.


Lifeworks Services is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage members of diverse groups to apply.


We are committed to an inclusive and accessible hiring process. If you need an accommodation to apply or participate in an interview, please share your needs with the Doran Leadership Partners team.


Lifeworks has partnered with Doran Leadership Partners to lead this search.

Please send your interest, resume or nominations to Nayana Jha.

Cover letters are welcomed but not required.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Review of applications will begin immediately.

Nayana Jha View email address on click.appcast.io