Director of Advancement

The Director of Advancement provides strategic leadership for all fundraising and advancement efforts at Christian Academy of Knoxville. This position reports to the COO and is responsible for growing philanthropic support through annual giving, major gifts, endowment development, capital campaigns, donor stewardship, and advancement planning while ensuring all fundraising efforts support the mission and strategic priorities of CAK.

Advancement Strategy

• Develop and implement a comprehensive advancement strategy that aligns philanthropic efforts with CAK's mission and strategic priorities.
• Establish annual fundraising goals and clearly articulate a compelling case for philanthropic support of CAK.
• Lead the strategy and execution of the CAK Annual Fund, endowment growth, and future capital campaigns.
• Develop and expand planned giving, matching gift, corporate giving, and foundation grant opportunities.
• Identify and implement innovative fundraising strategies and advancement practices that grow and diversify philanthropic support.
• Establish effective donor cultivation, stewardship, and moves-management processes.

Major Gifts

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and high-capacity prospects through a strategic portfolio management process.
• Build meaningful donor relationships through regular personal engagement, visits, and intentional cultivation.
• Partner with the Head of School, Board members, and school leadership to identify and pursue major gift opportunities.

Support Organizations

• Provide strategic advancement leadership to:
• Warrior Athletic Club (WAC)
• Warrior Parent Association (WPA)
• Arts Council
• Coordinate fundraising priorities and initiatives across support organizations to ensure alignment with CAK's institutional goals and overall advancement strategy.

Leadership & Reporting

• Establish advancement metrics, dashboards, and reporting processes to measure progress and inform strategy.
• Provide regular advancement updates to school leadership and the Board of Trustees.
• Manage the advancement budget and supervise advancement staff.

Collaboration

• Partner with Communications and Marketing to integrate advancement priorities and donor messaging into campaigns, publications, digital communications, and stewardship efforts.
• Collaborate with Database Management and Finance to ensure accurate gift processing, donor acknowledgement, prospect tracking, reporting, and financial reconciliation.
• Work collaboratively across school leadership, Admissions, Athletics, Arts, and other departments to align advancement efforts with institutional priorities and foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the CAK community.

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated commitment to CAK's mission, statement of faith, and Christ-centered educational environment.
• Bachelor's degree required.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, advancement, nonprofit leadership, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising, donor cultivation, and advancement initiatives.
• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills with the ability to engage a wide range of constituents.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise discretion, and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with advancement technology, donor databases, and fundraising best practices.
• Experience with writing grants or engaging with other foundations for support
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.