Director of Advancement

Position Summary

The Director of Advancement provides strategic leadership for all fundraising and advancement efforts at Christian Academy of Knoxville. This position reports to the COO and is responsible for growing philanthropic support through annual giving, major gifts, endowment development, capital campaigns, donor stewardship, and advancement planning while ensuring all fundraising efforts support the mission and strategic priorities of CAK.

Essential Responsibilities:

Advancement Strategy

• Develop and implement a comprehensive development plan.
• Establish annual fundraising goals.
• Lead annual fund strategy and execution.
• Develop endowment growth strategies.
• Lead future capital campaign planning and execution.
• Establish donor stewardship and moves-management processes.

Major Gifts

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors.
• Maintain an active portfolio of high-capacity prospects.
• Conduct donor visits and relationship-building meetings.
• Partner with the Head of School and Board members on major gift opportunities.

Support Organizations

• Provide strategic advancement leadership to:
  • Warrior Athletic Club (WAC)
  • Warrior Parent Association (WPA)
  • Arts Council
• Coordinate fundraising priorities across all organizations to ensure alignment with institutional goals.

Leadership & Reporting

• Develop advancement metrics and dashboards in Raiser’s Edge NXT.
• Report regularly to leadership and the Board.
• Manage development budgets.
• Supervise advancement staff.

Collaboration

• Work closely with Admissions, Communications and Marketing, Athletics, and School Leadership.
• Ensure fundraising initiatives support school priorities.

Tiered bonus structure based on activity and performance

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Five or more years of fundraising, advancement, nonprofit leadership, or related experience.
• Demonstrated success securing major gifts.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Commitment to CAK's mission and statement of faith.