Chief Engagement & Advancement Officer

Chief Engagement & Advancement Officer

To apply, email office with the subject line "Chief Engagement & Advancement Officer," and attach a cover letter and resume.

Leadership Rhode Island (LRI) is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and relationship-centered Chief Engagement & Advancement Officer (CEAO) to lead and integrate the organization’s external-facing strategy and revenue engine. This role ensures that every stakeholder interaction—across alumni, donors, partners, volunteers, sponsors, and the broader community—reflects LRI’s mission, values, and brand, while transforming engagement into sustained investment and measurable impact.

As a key member of the executive leadership team reporting to the CEO & Executive Director, the CEAO will integrate fundraising, marketing, communications, and alumni/community engagement into a cohesive advancement strategy that strengthens LRI’s financial foundation, expands capacity and visibility, and positions the organization for long-term sustainability and statewide impact.

• Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO & Executive Director and executive team in shaping organizational vision, growth strategy, and long-term sustainability.
• Develop and execute an integrated advancement strategy aligning fundraising, alumni/community engagement, marketing, and communications.
• Lead and activate the Board of Governors in advancement strategy, partnering closely with the Development and Communications Committees to expand fundraising capacity.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing cross-functional team.
• Oversee departmental budgeting, forecasting, and performance metrics tied to revenue and impact goals.
• Build scalable systems, processes, and dashboards that connect engagement-driven advancement activities to financial and mission-driven outcomes.
• Ensure data integrity and optimize Salesforce utilization to strengthen pipeline management and relationship stewardship.

• Own and lead a comprehensive fundraising strategy including individual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsor ships, foundation grants, special events, planned giving, and emerging revenue streams.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward high-impact donors and institutional funders in partnership with the CEO and Board.
• Build and manage a strong fundraising pipeline, leveraging data-driven decision-making and performance metrics.
• Provide strategic oversight of grant development, sponsorship strategy, donor communications, and signature fundraising events.
• Develop compelling cases for support that articulate LRI’s impact and future vision.

• Activate LRI’s alumni network as a powerful civic and professional ecosystem that advances Rhode Island’s cultural, economic, and social vitality.
• Design and execute a bold alumni engagement strategy that deepens affinity, inspires volunteerism, increases giving, and positions alumni as ambassadors and champions.
• Steward meaningful relationships among alumni, employers, partners, and civic leaders to facilitate collaboration and shared impact.
• Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships that enhance LRI’s visibility, reach, and influence.

• Steward LRI’s public voice and brand, ensuring clarity, consistency, and resonance across audiences.
• Champion compelling storytelling that demonstrates LRI’s measurable impact and distinct value proposition.
• Guide brand strategy across digital platforms, media relations, public speaking opportunities, and thought leadership initiatives.
• Increase visibility and understanding of LRI’s work through strategic content development and coordinated communications efforts.

• Model human-centered, servant leadership rooted in trust, accountability, and shared purpose.
• Partner closely with program, operations, and finance teams to ensure alignment between strategy, execution, and outcomes.
• Contribute to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace and collaborative learning culture.
• Support cross-organizational initiatives that advance LRI’s mission and…