Chief Advancement Officer, YSPH

Chief Advancement Officer

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Reporting to the Dean and serving on the Dean's executive leadership team, the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) leads all advancement functions for the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH), including fundraising, alumni engagement, and advancement operations.

The CAO is responsible for developing and executing an integrated advancement strategy that strengthens philanthropic support, deepens alumni engagement, and builds the organizational capacity to support the School's strategic priorities. The CAO partners closely with the Dean to align advancement efforts with institutional goals and represents YSPH within university-wide development initiatives.

This is a full-time position that will be performed on-site in New Haven, Connecticut, with some hybrid capacity. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $,000 and will include a generous benefits package.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead a comprehensive advancement strategy spanning fundraising, alumni engagement, and external relations.
• Partner with the Dean and senior leadership to define priorities and translate them into actionable fundraising and engagement plans.
• Serve as a key member of the Dean's executive team, contributing to school-wide strategy, planning, and resource allocation.
• Strengthen alignment between academic priorities and advancement opportunities through collaboration with faculty.
• Provide strategic direction for all fundraising programs at the school, including annual, major, principal, corporate, and foundation giving.
• Maintain a small portfolio of high-level prospects, personally leading cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Oversee team members in prospect development, pipeline management, proposal development, and stewardship activities.
• Partner with Yale's central development offices to coordinate strategy, align priorities, and advance principal and major gift opportunities as well as university-wide development initiatives.
• Lead a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy that increases participation, strengthens relationships, and supports philanthropic growth.
• Oversee team members in the planning and execution of alumni programs, communications, and volunteer leadership structures, including boards (AYAPH), reunion activities, and advisory groups.
• Expand and engage a network of alumni leaders who serve as ambassadors and supporters of the School.
• In partnership with the Dean, steward key advisory bodies (e.g., Leadership Council, campaign committees) to inform strategy and extend the School's reach.
• Direct all advancement operations, including systems, policies, and procedures, ensuring alignment with Yale and central development standards.
• Oversee reporting, data management, gift processing, performance tracking, and annual stewardship reporting across advancement functions.
• Manage the advancement budget and ensure effective allocation of resources.
• Continuously assess and strengthen organizational effectiveness and operational efficiency.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team across fundraising, alumni relations, and operations.
• Set clear goals, metrics, and expectations to drive performance and accountability.
• Foster a collaborative, responsive, and results-oriented team culture.
• Serve as a key spokesperson for advancement priorities, engaging central Yale teams, donors, alumni, and external partners.
• Partner with YSPH communications team to implement integrated messaging and engagement strategies.
• Oversee advancement-related events, including donor and alumni engagement activities, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities.
• Provide regular reporting and analysis on fundraising performance, campaign progress, and alumni engagement.
• Deliver data-driven insights to inform decision-making by the Dean and senior leadership.

Required Skills & Abilities:

• Strong strategic leadership and organizational management skills.
• Deep understanding of fundraising and alumni engagement practices.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to operate effectively within a complex academic environment.
• High level of professionalism, judgment, and discretion.

Principal Responsibilities

• Responsible for planning, managing, and executing all aspects of development effort.
• Works closely with senior management to develop both short- and long-term fundraising goals and strategies, including a strategic plan for building a post-campaign pipeline in anticipation of the next campaign.
• Works with staff to develop and implement plans to carry out the organization's goals and strategies, including establishing specific activity goals for all…