Chief Advancement Officer - Girl Scouts of Central Indiana : Job Details

Girl Scouts of Central Indiana embraces an inclusive culture. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion across all identities. We are committed to continual learning and to a culture of safety and well-being in which individuality is celebrated and everyone is valued and respected. Everyone is welcome to bring their authentic selves into our space.

Who We Are: We Are Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. For over 110 years, through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts leads the way in helping girls find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them.

Girl Scouts of Central Indiana

Girl Scouts of Central Indiana serves 45 Indiana counties, nearly 16,000 Girl Scouts and over 10,000 adult volunteers. We facilitate Girl Scout camps at five Indiana locations, coordinate thousands of programs with nearly 600 community partners, and serve thousands more community members each year at our STEM Center of Excellence and Founders Lodge Event and Conference Center.

What You Will Do:

The Chief Advancement Officer will help set the strategic direction and ensure the organization's longevity through a multifaceted strategy that advances the mission of Girl Scouts.

Reporting to the CEO, you will work together to define the organization's vision for organizational advancement, focusing on significant growth in developed income. Responsibilities include planning and implementing strategies to secure donors and contributions, overseeing the fund development team, monitoring activities, and using data to maintain momentum across all income sources.

The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of management experience in a nonprofit or similar environment, with proven success in fundraising and leadership. Motivation, problem-solving skills, and a passion for philanthropy are essential.

How You Will Lead:

• Collaborate with the CEO, senior staff, and board to develop fund development strategies and achieve organizational goals.
• Support the CEO in fundraising efforts and donor engagement.
• Build and strengthen an agile, results-oriented Fund Development Team.
• Evaluate and improve donor experience models based on research and best practices.
• Develop and enhance fundraising capacity through events, individual donors, foundations, and corporate partnerships.
• Create a balanced funding mix and tailored solicitation programs to attract, retain, and motivate donors.
• Set and manage annual fundraising goals, revenue, and expenses.
• Manage a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects, serving as a role model for fund development activities.
• Establish performance metrics and monitor development activities.
• Promote collaboration across functions and ensure relationship-based development practices.
• Lead strategic priorities like Planned Giving and Grants, and oversee related team plans and policies.
• Partner with Communications to craft and execute revenue-generating narratives.
• Implement a culture of philanthropy council-wide.
• Oversee fundraising campaigns, including solicitations, events, grants, and proposals.
• Deepen understanding of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to effectively communicate the organization's virtues.
• Provide leadership to the board Fund Development Committee and maximize board member contributions.

All employees share responsibilities beyond their specific roles.

How You Will Succeed:

• Focus on growing membership and cultivating new donors.
• Develop and implement annual goals and action plans supporting these priorities.

Core Competencies:

• Excellent communication skills—verbal, written, and interpersonal.
• Strong project management abilities.
• Effective information management and technological proficiency.
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills.
• Self-management and a commitment to ongoing development.
• Embrace diversity and foster an inclusive environment.
• Active networking and relationship-building within and outside Girl Scouts.

Supervisory Competencies:

• Leadership that motivates and inspires.
• Management skills to ensure organizational effectiveness.
• Interpersonal skills to build rapport and maintain positive relations.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Fund Development, Public Relations, or Marketing.
• Minimum 10 years of comprehensive development experience.
• Skills in fundraising, grant writing, and communications.
• Experience in Public Relations preferred.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Budgeting and financial analysis skills.
• Valid driver's license, vehicle insurance, and ability to travel.
• Availability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Successful completion of a criminal background check.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

• Ability to sit at a workstation and view a computer screen for up to 2 hours.