National Defense University Foundation (NDUF) - Chief Advancement Officer

The National Defense University Foundation (NDU Foundation) secures funding and resources to support the academic and professional development programs for senior military and diplomatic leaders attending the National Defense University. NDU Foundation drives vital support and resources to National Defense University for the sole purpose of ensuring NDU remains a world-class university offering a best-in-class approach to senior leader development for the nation and our allies. The Foundation also engages military and diplomatic senior leaders, private sector thought leaders and subject matter experts within and across the national security industrial complex. The Foundation facilitates relationships that provide a conduit for private sector expertise and capabilities that enable best-in class transformation and innovation at National Defense University. These partnerships offer donors, partners, foundations, and corporations relevant opportunities to engage in current national security issues, allowing business leaders to adapt operational strategies to better match the educational priorities and objectives of the Department of Defense, State Department, Intelligence Community, Homeland Security, FBI, and other agencies charged with our national security, building strategic leaders at NDU, and maintaining connection to alumni.

The Chief Advancement Officer is an integral part of the National Defense University Foundation senior leadership team and is responsible for all aspects of fundraising and donor relations. NDU Foundation is looking for a strategic and relationship focused CAO to help grow and diversify the Foundation’s funding sources. The ideal candidate for the CAO role will have demonstrated experience cultivating major gifts from individual and institutional donors. The CAO should have interest in national security and advanced education and demonstrate passion for telling both the University’s and Foundation’s story to both new and existing donors.

• 8+ years of fundraising experience at mission-driven organizations.
• Experience in cultivating and closing gifts of varying sizes.
• Successful track record of developing and executing comprehensive development plans and achieving fundraising goals.
• Proven expertise in identifying funding prospects and grant opportunities.
• Experience and comfort interacting with senior executives and high net worth individuals; experience networking and building quality relationships.
• Confidence sharing the National Defense University Foundation’s work and stories with Board members, donors, and stakeholder partners.
• Takes initiative, demonstrates previous supervisory experience or strong independent work as a sole development officer.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and general communication skills; an ability to effectively tell the story of an organization to engage current and future donors. Ability to communicate regularly and succinctly to NDUF leaders and board members on progress, activities, barriers, and needs to meet success objectives in a complete and transparent process.
• Superb project management and organizational skills, and the ability to manage tight timelines and multiple projects concurrently, collaborating with team members and meeting all responsibilities to the team to achieve organizational goals.
• Strong attention to detail, especially in getting to know individual donors, their interests, and connections to the organization.
• Experience in grant writing and other donor solicitation materials is a significant plus.
• Demonstrated experience in event management and planning, particularly for fundraising activities in small and large groups.

$140,000 - $180,000 with an opportunity for a yearly performance-based bonus.