Chief Advancement Officer

Fay School seeks a strategic, passionate, and experienced leader, manager, and frontline fundraiser with deep campaign experience, strong international acumen, and a willingness to travel, to serve as its next Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), a position that will commence on or before January 2, 2026.

 

With confidence in new leadership and a strong willingness to rethink how Advancement is resourced and structured, Fay is committed to building an Advancement program that matches its ambitions. The path ahead includes critical investments in staffing, systems, and strategy, all of which are targeted levers to unlock the potential that already exists within the School. The Fay Board and leadership team are confident that with focus, coordination, and timely execution under the leadership of an incoming CAO, Fay can evolve into a truly strategic, donor-centered advancement operation—one that reflects the School’s values, tells its story powerfully, and sustains its mission well into the future.

 

Founded in 1866, Fay School was the first junior boarding school in the United States. With students from kindergarten through grade nine, Fay provides an extraordinary educational experience for a diverse population of students drawn from across the United States and 27 countries. Fay blends tradition with 21st century innovation, underpinned by a deep commitment to the educational philosophy that has remained consistent throughout their history: to provide the ‘foundation for a meaningful life’.Fay's broad and challenging program empowers students to discover their talents, develop their intellectual abilities, establish essential academic skills and knowledge, and define their moral character - all essential to living a life of meaning and making a positive difference in the world.

 

Fay is entering a period of promising change, with strong new leadership, a clear appetite for strategy and iteration, and a community deeply invested in the School’s future. Fay is a beloved institution with the potential to be even stronger through sharper planning and more strategic fundraising, under the leadership of the next CAO.

 

Reporting to the Head of School, Susanna Waters, and a key member of Fay’s Leadership Team, the Chief Advancement Officer will embrace this distinctive moment of opportunity to rethink and embrace how advancement is resourced and structured at Fay.

 

Building on Fay’s many existing strengths - the people, the potential, and the emerging vision – the next CAO will lead ambitious visioning, focused investment, and bold execution around the Advancement program. With data-informed action and strategic leadership, the Advancement program can become a powerful engine for both financial sustainability and mission delivery. With the right alignment and investment led by the next CAO, Fay can deepen its impact, strengthen its culture of philanthropy, and continue to inspire families, alumni, and donors alike.

 

The CAO is a strategic, collaborative leader who is responsible for the active management and support of staff, developing a data-driven strategic plan, creating and implementing all stewardship and fundraising programs, and transforming Fay’s advancement operation from the transactional to the strategic and relational. The CAO will develop and implement plans to ensure that the School’s fundraising and constituent giving goals are appropriately ambitious and achievable, work closely with the Board of Trustees, and serve as a key strategic thought partner to the Head of School.

 

A minimum of ten years of progressive development experience within an independent/boarding school, higher education institution, nonprofit organization, or comparable setting. Demonstrated campaign and frontline fundraising experience with the ability to raise significant gifts. Success in driving meaningful change and managing a team through a collaborative, inclusive leadership approach. Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with a strong ability to engage and inspire diverse audiences. Proven experience serving as a strategic thought partner to a Head of School, Board of Trustees, or similar leadership.

 

Please find the full position profile here: https://dsgco.com/search/22336-fay-school-chief-advancement-officer

 

This is a full-time position that will be performed on-campus. The salary range for this role is $200,000-$250,000. This position offers 50% tuition remission, in addition to a generous benefits package.

 

Evaluation of candidate materials will begin immediately and continue until a new CAO is named. Express interest in this role by filling out our Talent Profile. Nominations or inquiries can be directed to the search team at FayAdvancement@storbecksearch.com. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.