Chief Advancement Officer

Salve Regina University seeks a visionary and experienced Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) to spearhead integrated programs for strategic advancement services and development that will propel the University to new levels of philanthropic engagement. The new CAO will lead campaign planning for Salve’s upcoming 75th anniversary while establishing a best-in-class infrastructure that ensures fundraising success and supports day-to-day advancement activities. This is an extraordinary opportunity to make a lasting impact on an institution, its alumni, and the region for generations to come.

Located on an expansive 80-acre campus overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in storied Newport, Rhode Island, Salve Regina is a Catholic university of distinction that champions a rigorous course of study, responsible citizenship and public service within the context of its Mercy heritage. The University’s collaborative learning environment attracts and supports a broad community of students, faculty and staff, valuing and celebrating diversity in all its forms and fostering an inclusive culture.

Reporting directly to President, the CAO will work diligently and thoughtfully to position the University for its next seventy-five years of success. The CAO will take a holistic approach in examining the University’s past and current fundraising structure and accomplishments to design a succeeding fundraising strategy reflective of the University’s philanthropic capacity and provide the leadership to empower the staff in achieving this goal.

Operationally, the CAO will assess and upgrade the infrastructure in place, collaboratively leading strategic systems planning and implementation efforts, including a database conversion, as the University identifies technologies and tools to support transparent, accountable fundraising operations. The CAO will also staff the President as a principal fundraising resource, and draw upon URA colleagues and faculty members, as well as the Chancellor, Vice President of University Relations, and Board of Trustees, to raise funds from individuals, corporations, foundations, and the public sector.

Note: Select responsibilities and qualifications follow; to view the position description in its entirety, please visit: https://pearlstreetcollective.com/jobs/sru-cao/

Select Responsibilities

Work with the President, members of the leadership team, and Board of Trustees to create and implement a comprehensive strategic plan for development that significantly increases philanthropic potential for Salve; initiate an anniversary campaign planning strategy.

• Oversee the continued development of a best-practice advancement infrastructure, including appropriate programs, policies, and procedures to ensure effectiveness and accountability across the system.
• Leverage the collective mindshare and experiences of directors across prospect research, advancement services, annual fund, and alumni/parent relations to assess prospect portfolios and develop appropriate goals and metrics; track and manage productivity of events, fundraising initiatives, and individual performance; and continue to build measures to ensure data integrity.
• Partner closely with and support the continued success of the Chancellor and Vice President of University Relations in their external roles as fundraisers and champions for Salve.
• Carry a small personal portfolio and build the capacity of the President and Board of Trustees in their roles engaging support for Salve.
• Oversee the planning and execution of cultivation, fundraising, and stewardship events including Salve’s signature Governor’s Ball and evaluate new possibilities related to the upcoming 75th

Select Qualifications

• A minimum of ten years' experience, including supervisory responsibilities, in the higher education advancement arena with exposure to the functions inherent in advancement services and/or development; experience managing a capital campaign is necessary.
• Demonstrated effectiveness as a leader and strategic thinker who thrives when working as a member of a dynamic leadership team.
• The professional credibility and maturity required to effectively engage and build trusted relationships with members of the senior leadership team and colleagues across the University.
• Ability to troubleshoot and make sound decisions in response to rapidly changing often nuanced situations.
• Skilled as an outstanding coach, mentor, and motivator of professionals with a dedication to hiring, retaining, and developing outstanding talent.
• An appreciation for the Mercy mission and the value of a Mercy education in contributing to the greater good and making a real difference in the world; personally exemplify the qualities of kindness, compassion, and empathy when carrying out the work at hand.

About Salve Regina University

In the fall of 1947 Salve Regina College opened the doors of Ochre Court, a Gilded Age Newport mansion built in 1892, to its first class of 58 young women. The institution became coeducational in 1973 and achieved university status in 1991, at which time the school's charter was amended to change the name of the corporation to Salve Regina University. Since its founding, the campus has expanded to encompass seven contiguous 19th-century estates on Newport’s famed Cliff Walk.

Today, Salve Regina University boasts a student body of 2,800 and 400 full time staff, and awards 766 degrees annually. Students enjoy a 13:1 student faculty ratio, and 99% receive some form of financial aid. There are 46 undergraduate majors, and 14 master’s degree programs along with a nursing program, 12 combined bachelor’s/master’s programs, 3 doctoral programs, and Circle of Scholars, a lifelong learning program. Salve Regina is home to the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy, a multidisciplinary research center focused at the intersection of politics, policies and ideas.

As Salve approaches its 75th anniversary in 2022, the University takes pride in its rich heritage and promising future—both reflections of the mission and values of the Roman Catholic Sisters of Mercy. Under the dynamic leadership of new president Dr. Kelli Armstrong, the University is developing plans to further expand its geographic reach and bolster the programs that best represent its Mercy mission of compassion, service and justice.

To Apply

Pearl Street Collective, an executive search firm committed to advancing the common good, is leading this search. Please visit https://pearlstreetcollective.com/jobs/sru-cao/ to view the full position description and submit an application.

Salve Regina University strives to provide equal opportunity in employment and education to all employees, students and applicants. No employee, student or applicant shall be discriminated against or harassed on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, age, marital or parental status, military or veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal or state law, in the administration of Salve Regina's employment policies, education policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other University administered programs. In accordance with Title IX, it does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any of its educational programs or activities. Salve Regina is also committed to making its programs and campus accessible to its visitors and compliant with all applicable non-discrimination laws.

Learn more by visiting www.salve.edu.