Chief Advancement Officer

The Webb Schools seek a dynamic, inventive, and experienced fundraising professional to serve as chief advancement officer (CAO) at a time of great promise. With a new head of school, a strategic planning process underway, and a recently completed $200 million campaign, the institution is strongly positioned for the future. Leveraging the momentum and success of the campaign, the CAO will design and lead an era of growth and innovation in Webb’s fundraising and engagement efforts, galvanizing alumni, parents, families, and friends in support of advancing its dynamic learning community. 

The Webb Schools (“Webb”) is known for interdisciplinary studies and unique experiential learning, providing 400 boarding and day students with foundational skills and the freedom to design their own high school experience. Webb’s parents and alumni span the globe, as Webb students originate from across the US, internationally, and locally. In July 2023, Theresa Smith, PhD, became the head of school after a decade of service in Webb’s administration. 

This is an excellent opportunity to partner with a visionary new head as she steers Webb, one of the nation’s best independent schools, forward to its next exciting chapter. Joining Dr. Smith early in her tenure and partnering closely with Webb’s senior leadership team, the next CAO will play a key role in strategizing and developing future fundraising, engagement, and stewardship initiatives in alignment with broader institutional priorities. Building upon the existing program, the next CAO will strengthen Webb’s office of advancement by implementing best practices, building donor capacity and commitment, bringing fresh ideas that respond to the evolving nature of philanthropy, and applying data-driven outreach and fundraising strategies that increase the impact and effectiveness of the philanthropic enterprise. To this end, the CAO will assess current operations and set a strategy for advancement that elevates all programs, increases alumni and parent engagement, retains existing and attracts new trustees, and integrates the school’s strategic pillars in all philanthropic messaging. A key metric of success will be moving Webb’s endowment toward $100 million from its current valuation of $62.5 million.

Webb’s next CAO will be imaginative, experienced, and capable of building and deploying an integrated and collaborative advancement operation. The successful candidate will be keen to engage with Webb’s students, parents, and alumni, build strong relationships with faculty and staff, and be visibly active on campus. This executive will have at least 10 years of significant experience in building and expanding philanthropic and engagement programs; providing leadership and direction for a staff with untapped potential; significant personal success in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship at principal gift levels, both domestically and internationally; comprehensive knowledge of strategies employed in the major development and alumni affairs functions; and clear achievement in increasing constituents’ – internal and external – commitment to an institution. Bachelor’s degree required.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $200,000 to $235,000. The Webb Schools offer competitive compensation. In setting position ranges, Webb reviews numerous factors, including industry data from NAIS, CAIS, NBOA, and other market data. Webb believes a strong benefits package is important for employee stability and retention. Benefits include highly subsidized health plans, robust retirement contributions, and tuition remission.

Rachel Ellenport is leading this search with Elizabeth Neustaedter and Rebecca Lyons.

The Webb Schools are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities and do not discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, pregnancy, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, gender/identity/expression, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.