[Hiring] Chief Advancement Officer @Our Childrens Trust

Role Description

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is a senior executive leader responsible for advancing Our Children's Trust's public presence, fundraising strength, and organizational sustainability. Reporting directly to the Co-Executive Director, the CAO oversees all external engagement and core organizational functions — including development, communications, brand, media, public education, audience growth, finance, and operations — ensuring they operate as a unified, strategic engine in service of OCT's litigation and youth-centered mission.

The CAO serves as the organization's second-in-command for institutional strategy, partnering closely with the Co-Executive Director to translate legal victories and youth leadership into sustained public will, philanthropic investment, and a strong, well-run organization using a trauma-informed approach. This role combines high-level strategic leadership with responsibility for OCT's financial health, operational infrastructure, and cross-functional execution, ensuring that engagement, fundraising, and internal systems are aligned, resilient, and built to support long-term impact.

Core Areas of Responsibility

• Integrated Engagement Strategy
  • Develop and execute a comprehensive engagement strategy that integrates fundraising, communications, media, education, and public engagement into a single, cohesive approach.
  • Align engagement strategies with OCT's litigation priorities, youth leadership model, and organizational values.
  • Ensure engagement efforts are proactive, data-informed, and adaptable to fast-moving legal, technological, and political contexts.
• Fundraising & Philanthropic Leadership
  • Lead organizational fundraising strategy to meet and exceed annual and multi-year revenue goals.
  • Oversee all individual, foundation, major gift, and planned giving programs.
  • Personally cultivate and steward key donors and institutional partners, with a focus on six- and seven-figure gifts.
  • Partner closely with the Executive Director on high-level donor strategy and solicitation.
  • Foster a strong internal culture of philanthropy across the organization.
• Communications, Brand & Media
  • Oversee OCT's brand strategy, messaging framework, and storytelling across all platforms.
  • Direct earned media strategy, rapid response, and crisis communications in coordination with legal leadership.
  • Ensure consistent, compelling narratives that elevate youth voices and legal impact.
• Public Engagement, Education & Audience Growth
  • Lead strategies to expand and deepen OCT's audiences, including supporters, educators, youth, alumni, and movement allies.
  • Oversee public education initiatives, learning tools, events, and community engagement efforts.
  • Ensure engagement work is trauma-informed, youth-centered, and accessible to diverse communities.
  • Use data and insights to refine engagement strategies and measure impact.
• Finance, Operations & Organizational Systems Oversight
  • Directly supervise and support the Chief Financial & Operating Officer.
  • Provide integrated oversight of finance, operations, people & culture, and internal systems.
  • Partner with the CFO on budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and risk management.
  • Ensure operational policies, systems, and practices support organizational sustainability and growth.
• Team Leadership & Management
  • Directly supervise and support the Senior Director of Donor Development and Communications Director.
  • Lead, support, and develop a high-performing Engagement Team (communications, development, digital, education, engagement).
  • Establish clear goals, workflows, and decision-making structures across engagement functions.
  • Manage outside consultants, vendors, and creative partners as needed.
  • Build systems that support collaboration with Legal, Operations, Youth Programs, and the Chief of Staff.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of senior leadership experience in fundraising, communications, advocacy, or movement-based organizations.
• OR Associate's degree and 8+ years of fundraising experience.
• OR Bachelor's degree and 6+ years of fundraising experience.
• OR Master's degree and 4+ years of fundraising experience.
• Demonstrated success leading major fundraising efforts, including major gifts and institutional funding.
• Experience designing and overseeing finance and operations at the organizational level.
• Proven ability to integrate communications and development strategies.
• Experience managing and mentoring senior staff and multidisciplinary teams.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Deep alignment with OCT's mission and values.

Preferred

• Experience working alongside legal or litigation-driven organizations.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care and youth-centered approaches.
• JD or strong understanding of the legal system a plus (not required).

Working Conditions/Work Schedule

• Work is primarily performed in a standard office setting.
• Work is primarily performed Monday through Friday during regular business hours; however, evening and weekend hours may be necessary dependent upon case activity, deadlines, and workload.

Physical Working Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 20 pounds.

Travel

• Some travel will be expected, primarily within the United States and could expand outside the country.
• Travel is dependent on organizational growth, legal case development, trial, and other national and international events.
• High travel times will occur around trial dates and events geared to Major Donors.

Salary and Benefits

• The salary is competitive, based on experience and a compensation review.
• OCT benefits include 100% employer paid medical and dental for employee.
• Short- and long-term disability, life insurance.
• 401K plan with a 3% contribution.
• Generous vacation, sick and holiday leave including restorative leave after six years.