About this opportunity
Spirit League lists this Chief Advancement Officer opportunity in san francisco, California. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
THIS POSITION IS HYBRID. THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL BE IN THE SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE FOUR DAYS A WEEK.
ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
Founded in 1853, the California Academy of Sciences (the Academy) is a globally renowned, AZA-accredited non-profit scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world-class planetarium, aquarium, rainforest, research institute, and natural history museum—all under one living roof—the Academy’s mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.
The Academy’s living collection reflects Earth’s vast biodiversity, consisting of nearly 60,000 animals representing over 800 species. Its research collections are the largest west of the Mississippi, spanning nearly 46 million plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. Its diverse team includes leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who are passionate about advancing knowledge and catalyzing action through science and storytelling.
Organizational Culture
The California Academy of Sciences invites new staff members to join as part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation, and celebrates its accomplishments together. Staff share a commitment to executing a new strategic plan that will strengthen the organization's financial foundations, cultivate a vibrant internal culture, and foster smart growth to secure the Academy’s future.
The Academy is looking for candidates who excel in their field and take pride in their work. Candidates may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences and are encouraged to apply whether or not you believe you meet every competency for the position.
OPPORTUNITY HIGHLIGHTS
Salary Range: $325,000 - $350,000
Benefits include: 5 weeks of vacation, in addition to holidays, sick time, and floating holidays
Medical, Vision, Dental Insurance
403b
YOU ARE
An enthusiastic, activating doer with strong personal follow-through
An enterprise thinker who partners naturally across science, education, communications, and governance
A leader who embodies a growth mindset, with proven experience demonstrating success
A talented, respected, and gifted storyteller
A thoughtful and generous leader who supports and promotes their team
Deeply rooted in Bay Area philanthropy
POSITION OVERVIEW
The California Academy of Sciences seeks a Chief Advancement Officer to lead a division at an inflection point. The Academy is a scientifically rigorous, globally respected institution moving through a period of real change, including two rounds of layoffs, a newly ratified collective bargaining agreement, and a period of heightened external scrutiny. Despite these challenges, the internal culture and momentum are improving and reflect enthusiasm for the future. This is a hands‑on role for a builder who can stabilize and re‑energize a large, talented division and forge real partnerships with scientists, educators, and Board members who are eager to be activated as partners in philanthropy.
Looking ahead, the Academy is building towards a comprehensive campaign spanning capital, operating, and endowment priorities. The incoming Chief of Advancement will help shape this campaign's scope and sequencing from the ground up, in close partnership with the Executive Director and Board.
The Academy is concurrently conducting a search for its next Executive Director. The Chief of Advancement hire is expected to serve as a compatible, strong, activating fundraising partner to the incoming Executive Director, especially in the early days of that transition.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
The Chief Advancement Officer reports to the Executive Director and serves as a member of the Senior Leadership Team. The role oversees a division of approximately 18‑20 staff organized across leadership giving, corporate & foundation partnerships, donor events, planned giving, and development operations.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Fundraising Strategy & Revenue Growth
Build and lead a culture of philanthropy across the Advancement division and the institution as a whole
Ensure direct, trusted working relationships with scientists, educators, and Board members and activate them as partners in fundraising
Identify fundraising needs across existing programs and build attainable near- and long-term strategies spanning annual giving, capital campaigns, planned giving, special events, and endowment
Explore new revenue streams by evaluating and refining donor solicitation, cultivation, communication, and recognition/affinity programs, as a way to keep donors informed and connected to the Academy's mission, work, and accomplishments
Regularly evaluate and adjust fundraising strategies, leveraging internal relationships and Board members to increase revenue and participation, and recommend cultivation and solicitation visits to major donors and prospects
Take a hands‑on, active role with major and strategic donors and maintain ongoing communication with executive leadership and the Board to ensure buy‑in to fundraising initiatives at the highest level
Portfolio Management & Board Relations
Work closely with the Board of Directors and Advancement Committee chair and members to identify, cultivate, and shepherd board member solicitations
Support Board members in every aspect of their philanthropic journey, including their personal commitment to the Academy and their relationships with various public and private funders and philanthropists
Staff and prepare the Board in a strategy for increased participation and eventual campaigns
Lead a traditional advancement portfolio, including annual fund, membership, major and principal gifts, and planned giving
Maintain a personal portfolio of the organization's most sophisticated and generous donors
Position the division for a comprehensive campaign
Diversification of Funding Sources
Evaluate and grow corporate and foundation partnerships alongside individual giving, including sponsorship and IP‑partnership opportunities
Support pursuit of government, agency, and institutional grant funding in partnership with science and program leadership
Expand planned giving and endowment strategies to diversify the Academy's long-term funding base
Development Operations, Technology, & Data
Oversee development operations, including the donor database/CRM, gift processing, and prospect research infrastructure
Use data and reporting to inform fundraising strategy, track progress against goals, and support Board- and Senior Leadership Team-level decision‑making
Evaluate current systems and processes for opportunities to improve efficiency and staff productivity
Team Leadership & Internal Management
Recruit, coach, nurture, and retain a high-performing team; provide an environment that encourages stability as well as a growth mindset, while holding the team accountable to ambitious goals
Provide leadership that challenges, inspires, and motivates people across the Academy's local, national, and global community
Demonstrate a proven ability to recruit, mentor, lead, and develop a diverse staff, with a track record of building high-performing, loyal teams
Lead with a flexible, inclusive style that adapts to different audiences and sharpens colleagues' focus
Serve as a positive, unifying figure who leads by influence and example to build an integrated development culture across the Academy
Demonstrate a commitment to transparency that builds trust and confidence in the advancement operation across the institution
Manage the division's budget, staffing, and day-to-day operations
Serve as a steady, credible, and enthusiastic voice on the Senior Leadership Team during a period of institutional change
Foster a culture of respect, communication, and accountability within the team
Champion the Academy's culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion, bringing commitment, ideas, and energy to diversity efforts across the workforce, donor base, and broader community
COMPETENCIES
Mission alignment and a genuine commitment to youth, science, learning, and curiosity
15+ years of progressively challenging fundraising experience, including 5 or more years of senior management
Comprehensive campaign experience
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degrees, certifications, and/or other advanced education, highly regarded
Background in museums, conservation, science, or education‑adjacent fundraising, preferred
Proven success soliciting and maintaining a portfolio of six- and seven-figure gifts
Experience working within the San Francisco Bay Area philanthropic community
A demonstrated enterprise mindset; comfort working across departments to engage and build an organizational culture of philanthropy
Experience building trust and partnership with organizational stakeholders including scientists, educators, and governance volunteers
Experience leading a team through organizational change or culture‑rebuilding
Commitment to and enthusiasm for the mission and growth of the California Academy of Sciences
Leadership & Interpersonal Competencies
Strategy Setting: Ability to grasp the opportunities and challenges of the Academy and role quickly and develop innovative, data‑informed fundraising plans
Executing for Results: Sets clear, realistic yet challenging goals. Demonstrates tenacity and accountability in driving results and balances financial realities with innovation and calculated risk‑taking
Leading Teams: Demonstrates true leadership - serving as a mentor while developing and nurturing a diverse staff; leads with a flexible, inclusive approach; builds an integrated development culture through influence and example
Relationships & Influence: Communicates and presents with clarity and inspiration; builds and preserves trust and confidence among diverse constituencies; takes a consensus‑seeking but decisive approach
Interpersonal Acumen & Character: Combines sound judgment and confidence with humility; is a supportive, active listener; embodies the Academy's ethics, integrity, and commitment to diversity and inclusion; brings high energy, charisma, and drive
EQUITY STATEMENT
The California Academy of Sciences is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The California Academy of Sciences is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of its work—from scientific research and public programming to hiring and organizational culture. The Academy actively seeks candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and lived experiences and encourages applications from individuals who are underrepresented in the nonprofit and scientific communities.
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Worksite address
san francisco, CA, 94199, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.