Chief Advancement Officer
Position Title: Chief Advancement Officer
Supervisor: President
Supervises: Development, Communications, PR, and Marketing teams
Employment: Year-round, Full Time; Salary Exempt
Location: In-person (Shelburne, VT)
Start Date: Immediate opening
Pay range: $125,000-$135,000
Who We Are
Shelburne Farms is an education nonprofit on a mission to inspire and cultivate learning for a sustainable future. We realize our mission by integrating three key areas of activity: our programs, place, and products.
Position Summary
The Chief Advancement Officer serves as a key leader and member of the Shelburne Farms Management Team, working most closely with the President and Executive Vice President. The Chief Advancement Officer will demonstrate and reflect an understanding of and commitment to inspiring and cultivating learning for a sustainable future as they work to align efforts and resources to increase community and philanthropic support to meet the organization’s goals.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide leadership for the Development, Communications, PR, and Marketing teams by mentoring, training, and supervising six direct reports and an overall advancement team of 12, while monitoring progress toward desired outcomes.
- Oversee the cultivation and stewardship of donor relationships with Shelburne Farms
- Manage a portfolio of major donors/prospects.
- Oversee the creation of clear and compelling communications on all platforms to advance the work and impact of Shelburne Farms as a nonprofit organization dedicated to Education for Sustainability.
- Oversee annual development and communications work plans and budgets, including 5 million + for Annual Fund, and other gifts and grants
- Oversee strategy development and implementation of phase two of the Campaign for Shelburne Farms. Phase 1 was recently completed and closed significantly over the 50-million-dollar goal.
- Ensure all Communications, PR and Marketing reflect Shelburne Farms’ integrated storytelling, core values, and guiding principles to inspire learning for a sustainable future.
- Oversee the use of Raiser’s Edge as a CRM to manage all the ways that donors, educators, program participants, guests, visitors, and customers engage with Shelburne Farms.
- Collaborate on grant writing and management.
- Collaborate on developing policies, systems, and procedures to guide the effective, ethical operation of Shelburne Farms’ Advancement Office.
- Serve as an ambassador for Shelburne Farms.
Core Qualifications
- Demonstrated success in nonprofit organization advancement work, including planning and executing annual funds and capital campaigns, program related communications and storytelling, grant writing, public relations, and marketing.
- Experience managing a team.
- Experience cultivating, soliciting and stewarding relationships with a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals.
- Experience and interests related to Education for Sustainability.
- Demonstrated team leadership abilities and strong communication/ interpersonal skills.
Physical Requirements
- Able to work in close quarters in an open, busy office environment.
- Able to drive a vehicle, give property tours and travel as needed.
Benefits
For year-round, full-time staff: Benefit summary here for 2026 benefits.
Deadline to Apply
Applications will be reviewed as received until the position is filled.
Compensation
The current salary range for this position is $125,000-$135,000. Final salary will depend on several factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and farm campus housing availability.
Note: This job description is not intended to cover all of the activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of employees at Shelburne Farms.
To apply, please contact:
Jonathan K. Ball
Managing Associate
Carney, Sandoe & Associates
617-933-3450 (dir)
All inquiries and nominations are kept confidential
Shelburne Farms is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and we strongly stand against discrimination and harassment of any kind.