Arcadia University seeks a seasoned, creative, successful, and strategic advancement professional to serve as the next Chief Advancement Officer (CAO). Reporting to the President, the CAO will partner closely with the President, the Board of Trustees, senior leadership, alumni, and other key institutional partners to create and implement a bold philanthropic vision for Arcadia, tied deeply to the institutional mission and the adaptive strategic plan, Arcadia 2030. The CAO, inspiring alumni, friends, foundations, corporate partners, and others to invest in or deepen their commitments to the world-ready education that Arcadia provides, will build upon the most successful fundraising year in Arcadia’s history, while creating new and innovative pathways for those wanting to invest in Arcadia’s present and future. The CAO will be innovative, an enterprising team leader, and a compelling and persuasive storyteller who is energized by building meaningful and authentic relationships with current and future supporters of Arcadia.
About Arcadia University
Arcadia University is a top-ranked private university in Greater Philadelphia that provides a values-based education rooted in authenticity and belonging, with expert faculty, career-focused academic programs, and unique study abroad opportunities to prepare students to be work-ready, life-ready, and future-ready. Located two hours from New York City and Washington, D.C., the University’s campus footprint includes more than 100 acres, with an additional location in Christiana, Delaware. The centerpiece of the main campus in Glenside, Pa., is Grey Towers Castle, a National Historic Landmark that provides an idyllic background for vibrant campus life.
The Opportunity
The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) will serve as a visionary and collaborative institutional leader, advancing Arcadia’s strategic goals and philanthropic priorities through the development and implementation of a modern and innovative advancement strategy that will contribute to long-term financial sustainability and institutional excellence. Reporting to the President, the CAO will lead a comprehensive advancement program that includes major and principal gifts, annual giving, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, donor and prospect stewardship, and advancement communications. Centering institutional priorities and the Arcadia 2030 adaptive strategy, and seeking critically important faculty and student input, the CAO will lead the advancement team in the development of a compelling and versatile narrative that illustrates effectively the deeply held mission and vision of Arcadia and the impact of philanthropy on the student experience and the transformative power of an Arcadia education upon graduation.
Amy Sugin and Laurie Casteen of DSG Global have been exclusively retained for this search. To express interest in this role please submit a compelling cover letter and CV by filling out DSG’s Talent Profile. All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.
The compensation range for this position is $185,000 – 225,000 with a generous benefits package designed to support physical, mental, and financial wellness.
Equal Opportunity at Arcadia University
We welcome candidates who can contribute to the excellence of our community. The successful candidate will demonstrate examples of ways they will incorporate our values in their work. At Arcadia University, our Lived Values are the foundation of our highly regarded, values-based learning community, which reflects the world in which we want to live. As such, Arcadia actively seeks and welcomes candidates who embrace those values. Arcadia prohibits discrimination against individuals on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, age, gender identity, military or military veteran status, disability, family medical or genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic. All offers of employment are conditional based on the successful completion of a background check. Employment may not begin until the University accepts the results of the background check.
Arcadia offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, generous tuition benefits for employees and their families, retirement benefits, health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.