Chief Advancement Officer

CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER ABOUT KHAN LAB SCHOOL

Khan Lab School, founded by Sal Khan in 2014, is an innovative K-12 independent school with 3 campuses, serving over 260 students in Silicon Valley, CA and Wichita, KS. Our Lower School (grades K-5) is in Palo Alto, CA, our Middle and Upper Schools (grades 6-12) are in Mountain View, CA, and the newest KLS campus (grades 4-9) is in Wichita, KS.

We were established to test and refine the educational vision outlined in Sal Khan's 2012 book, "The One World Schoolhouse," which explores the development of modern education, the origins of Khan Academy, and a forward-thinking approach to both in‑person and online learning.

Building on this foundation, Sal Khan's latest book, "Brave New Words," further expands on his educational philosophy and vision for the future. At Khan Lab School, we're committed to implementing these innovative ideas and preparing students for success in the rapidly evolving knowledge economy.

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is a key member of Khan Lab School’s senior leadership team, reporting directly to the Executive Director, and serving as a strategic partner in sustaining and growing the school’s innovative mission. This pivotal role combines development leadership, enrollment strategy, marketing vision, and community engagement to ensure KLS has the resources and community support needed to reimagine education for the future.

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on, entrepreneurial advancement leader who thrives in fast‑paced, mission‑driven environments and brings deep experience building revenue strategies that align with organizational values. This role requires someone who can authentically articulate KLS’s distinctive mastery‑based approach to diverse audiences— from prospective families to major donors—while building systems and strategies that create sustainable growth. As a member of the senior leadership team, the CAO will be comfortable working collaboratively across the organization, rolling up their sleeves to support enrollment events, craft compelling campaign materials, or personally steward key donor relationships.

Beyond traditional advancement functions, this leader will help shape the future of KLS by developing multi‑year fundraising strategies that support innovation, building enrollment pipelines that attract mission‑aligned families, and creating marketing narratives that position KLS as a leader in the educational field. The role is designed for an experienced professional who deeply believes in the power of student‑centered learning, thrives on creative problem‑solving, and is energized by the opportunity to build something meaningful in a collaborative environment where decisions are made through the lens of what’s best for students.

The Chief Advancement Officer’s team includes a Director of Admissions, an Assistant Director of Admissions, a Marketing & Communications Manager, and a Director of College Counseling & Alumni. The role also works closely with the Chief Finance & Operations Officer and the Director of Business Operations & Development, who supports the Annual Fund. The school also supports and encourages the involvement of Upper School student interns in advancement efforts.

• Serve as a key strategic partner to both the Executive Director and the Chief Financial & Operations Officer in shaping long‑term financial sustainability and institutional growth.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive advancement plan that aligns fundraising, enrollment, and marketing strategies with the school’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators across all advancement functions to measure effectiveness and ensure accountability.
• Present regular reports to the Board of Trustees on advancement progress, enrollment trends, and philanthropic projections.
• Serve as a member of the Board of Trustees Finance Committee.

• Build and lead a culture of philanthropy throughout the KLS community, inspiring support from parents, alumni, board members, and friends of the school.
• Design and…