Chief Advancement Officer, Menlo College; Atherton

Job Summary

Menlo College seeks its next Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) to lead the College’s $100 million comprehensive campaign in anticipation of the College’s centennial in 2027. Currently in the silent phase, over $60 million has been raised.

Menlo College
• Full Time
• Atherton, CA
• Reports to President of the College

At Menlo College, we ignite potential and educate students to make meaningful contributions in the innovation economy. Our values include:

• Value diverse ideas and celebrate our differences
• Treat all people with fairness and equity
• Develop the full potential in each person
• Support a range of teaching and learning styles
• Continually improve the educational process
• Consider one’s responsibilities to others
• Act with integrity

Menlo College seeks its next Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) to lead the College’s $100 million comprehensive campaign in anticipation of the College’s centennial in 2027. Currently in the silent phase, over $60 million has been raised. The CAO will oversee alumni relations and development with a team of six FTEs and will work closely with the Board of Trustees, President, and other College leaders to build and deepen relationships with trustees, faculty, staff, current students, alumni, parents, foundations, corporations, and others to realize the College’s mission and vision.

This is a hybrid position expecting on‑campus presence to build relationships with key stakeholders.

• Leadership
  • Provide leadership, management, and mentoring to Advancement staff; guide best practices and strategy
  • Partner with the President, College leadership, Advancement staff, and Menlo College trustees to deliver effective donor engagement strategies
• Fundraising
  • Develop, refine, and implement strategies to maximize giving
  • Inspire and direct the Advancement team to implement fundraising programs using donor cultivation and stewardship opportunities that maximize giving
  • Manage an active portfolio of major donors and prospects, creating personalized cultivation and stewardship plans and gift requests; assume responsibility for cultivating additional donors as appropriate
  • Play a leading role to ensure Menlo College can solicit major donors, foundations, and corporations to significantly increase contributions
  • Analyze donor interaction reports to make strategic decisions, and present information and progress to senior leadership, the board, and partners

• Seasoned fundraising professional with at least eight years of experience and five years supervising staff
• Experience building and expanding development efforts using moves management, wealth screening, major gift solicitation, and other development tools
• Track record of leading complex projects to success, including meeting financial goals and coordinating key staff and volunteers
• Proven success in securing five- and six-figure gifts; experience with seven- and eight-figure gifts a plus; strong preference for experience with foundations and corporations
• Experience leading capital or comprehensive campaigns
• Experience planning and executing small- and large-scale fundraising events
• Experience liaising with a board and/or board committees
• Experience in an organization that uses long-term planning and key performance indicators or dashboards
• Comfortable using databases (preferably Raiser's Edge) and analyzing donor data to refine strategies
• Experience with donor relations, preferentially alumni

• Professional experience in higher education

• Exceptional leadership skills, collaborative spirit, and strong management ability; ability to inspire and motivate staff, board, donors, and volunteers
• Strong strategic and implementation skills; grasp organizational opportunities and challenges
• Works well with senior management and is seen as a partner with organizational leadership
• Comfort with presentation skills
• Outstanding communication; excellent speaking, writing, and interpersonal skills

• Passion for the mission and values of Menlo College
• Strategic thinker
• Personable and enthusiastic; a relationship builder
• Flexible and adaptable
• Works well under pressure
• Strong emotional intelligence, especially in empathy, self‑awareness, and active listening
• Thrives in a goal‑oriented, dynamic, and entrepreneurial environment
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion values
• Ability to work on‑site on the Menlo College campus
• Willingness to travel as needed to build relationships and implement programs

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Advanced degree preferred
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential a plus

The salary range for this position is $185,000‑$235,000 and includes a benefits package.

Menlo College is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong commitment to diversity.