We're Hiring: Chief Advancement Officer

In recent years, MSC’s in-house incubation efforts have focused on cross-sector movement building to cultivate the power necessary to accelerate a Just Transition from a world of domination, extraction, and violence — where the few live at the expense of the many — to a world of interdependence, liberation and resilience, where the many govern for the benefit of all. MSC centers Black, Indigenous, and People of Color intergenerational systems leaders and networks that are committed to transformation and boldly leaning into the future and whose communities are most impacted by extraction, domination, and violence.

As a movement support organization that weaves, builds, and amplifies power to accelerate a Just Transition through our fiscal sponsorship, philanthropic services, and capacity building offerings, MSC understands that transformative movements change the way we think, our structures and systems, the way we live, and even who we are. Because the issues and problems we face are interconnected, our systemic solutions and movements must be interconnected as well. The way we achieve our goals and with whom are just as important as our outcomes.

Position Overview

MSC seeks a strategic, hands-on Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) to lead enterprise revenue and narrative strategy. The CAO will: (1) drive institutional and individual fundraising; (2) steward brand and strategic communications; and (3) partner with Programs on market strategy for Philanthropic Services. This role is ideal for a builder energized by stabilizing operations and rebuilding a right-sized advancement team in a time of transition.

Reports to: Executive Director (ED)
Location: Hybrid/remote (U.S.), with a preference for location in Bay Area, CA
Status: Full-time, Exempt

Team & Current State

The Advancement function is in a moment of a rebuild: currently, the department includes one full-time Development Manager, a Senior Advancement Advisor, and a contract grant writer for the Development Team, and a full-time Communications Director, Communications Generalist, and Senior Coordinator of Advancement for the Communications Team. The CAO will lead a phased restructuring/hiring plan for the advancement function/side, clarify cross-org interfaces (Programs, Finance, Operations), and institute durable collaborative and operating rhythms.

Time Allocation

• Fundraising & Business Development — 45%
• Strategic Communications — 30%
• Revenue Strategy & Cross-Org Alignment — 15%
• People Leadership (team/consultants) — 10%

Core Responsibilities

Fundraising & Business Development (45%)

• Own multi-year revenue plan; deliver annual targets across institutional and individual giving.
• Build and maintain a 12–18-month qualified pipeline; set/meet close-rate goals.
• Co-lead top-tier funder strategy with ED/Board; prepare leadership for high-stakes meetings.
• Ensure proposal/report quality and on-time delivery (grants ops/CRM hygiene).
• Works closely with Finance to establish growth, margin, and risk targets for Philanthropic Services (PS) portfolios.

Strategic Communications (30%)

• Lead enterprise narrative and editorial calendar aligned to fundraising outcomes.
• Oversee brand, content, and owned/earned channels; commission signature stories, reports, and funder-facing collateral that lift MSC’s ecosystem impact and protect the equitable intermediary model.

Revenue Strategy & Cross-Org Alignment (15%)

• With the Senior Leadership Team and Finance, sets revenue targets and scenario plans; track performance and margin implications.
  Translate program learning and field signals into fundable opportunities and campaigns.

Philanthropic Services Interface (Programs-owned)

• Ownership: PS (pooled funds, regranting, intermediary offerings) is operationally housed in Programs and supervised by the Chief Programs Officer (CPO) / PS Director/GM. Programs own PS delivery, compliance, and fee/margin revenue.
• CAO role: Co-develop PS market strategy and positioning; support cultivation/proposals for PS-aligned opportunities; align narrative and collateral with PS growth; coordinate with Finance/Legal on risk posture. (CAO does not supervise PS staff.)

People Leadership (10%)

• Manage/coach the Development Manager and contractors; design the future org; lead hiring/onboarding; lead cross-departmental collaborations as it relates to fundraising and communications.

Year-One Success Metrics (KPIs)

• Total revenue secured; 50% unrestricted, with at least 40% of these opportunities multi-year commitments; renewal success rate of 60%.
• Successfully fundraise $4-6M annually (PS’ annual goal will live under Programs, but cross collaboration will successfully lead to securing $3-5M in this arena of work)
• Overlook a successful pipeline development process, with ongoing cultivation of T2 and T3 prospects and successful moves management of at least 50% of T2 and T3 funders.
• Comms outcomes tied to growing visibility of MSC: Drive PR partnership to maximize MSC visibility through media coverage, thought leadership (2+ pieces), and expanded content (Shifting Philanthropy, Storytelling); support and resource increased video/audio production to boost social engagement and campaigns.

Collaboration Rhythms

• Bi-Weekly Advancement–Programs revenue standing meetings (discussing pipeline, collaborations, strategic goals, upcoming proposals)
• Bi-weekly meetings with Finance establish growth, margin, and risk targets for PS portfolios.”
• Weekly meetings with Senior Leadership Team
• In close collaboration with the Executive Director, successful stewardship of Board members, with the potential of creating a Development Committee that meets monthly to support fundraising efforts

Qualifications

• 10+ years leading institutional fundraising with integrated strategic communications; proven revenue delivery.
• Track record building/leading teams and systems in a dynamic or rebuilding context.
• Experience partnering with program teams to turn learning into fundable strategies; familiarity with pooled funds/regranting a plus.
• Strong CRM/grants ops and data discipline; excellent executive communication and narrative skills.
• Values-alignment with movement ecosystems; comfort navigating risk/brand protection for intermediaries.

Work Conditions & Benefits

• Hybrid/remote with periodic travel (retreats, funder meetings, convenings), typically 10–20%.
• Flexible work hours to accommodate partners across time zones.
• Competitive benefits package (health, retirement, paid leave).

Compensation

Salary range: $180,000–$200,000 (DOE), aligned to Bay Area market for CAO scope (fundraising + strategic comms + PS market partnership).

Equal Opportunity

MSC is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and other people of color; women; LGBTQIA+ people; people with disabilities; immigrants; and people from working-class backgrounds.