Chief Advancement Officer | Santa Barbara, CA

The School

Founded in 1933, Laguna Blanca is a co-educational independent school serving 430 students in early kindergarten through twelfth grade. The school is known for its innovative, highly relational teaching faculty who guide students to discover and pursue their passions. Families appreciate the warmth, inclusiveness, and energy of the school community. As Laguna Blanca implements its strategic plan, the Head of School is looking for a strategic partner to reimagine the school’s institutional advancement program in support of the school’s mission, brand, and long-term financial sustainability.

To learn more about the school, please visit www.lagunablanca.org.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Head of School, the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) will lead a comprehensive, diversified, and strategic advancement effort that enhances the visibility of the school and strengthens constituent relationships. As part of deepening Laguna Blanca’s commitment to the core value of Community, the CAO will take an intentional approach to fostering a family’s journey with the school. The CAO is responsible for the departmental performance, direction, and coordinated success of admissions, development, alumni relations, communications and marketing, and community outreach. This person will leverage the power of storytelling to deepen the sense of affection for the school in the hearts and minds of its community and generate greater awareness of its mission among prospective families in the Santa Barbara area.

Essential Responsibilities

• Implement an institutional advancement program that raises the visibility of the school by integrating the work of admissions, communications and marketing, and development in support of the school’s mission, community values, and strategic priorities
• Partner with the Head of School and Board of Trustees to develop and maintain community relations with local city officials and the greater Santa Barbara community, participating in such events as may be necessary to support the advancement of Laguna Blanca school and its mission
• Provide day-to-day leadership and support for the school’s talented 10-person advancement team (admissions, development, and communications departments)
• Ensure mutual goals of each department (admissions, development, and marketing/communications) are aligned with the strategic priorities and clearly articulated and understood across the advancement team
• Foster collaboration between departments and encourage a culture of creativity, hospitality, and inclusivity when engaging current and prospective families
• Ensure effective use of technology and data management systems across all departments to enable coordinated action and data-driven decision making
• Provide leadership and support for the Admissions team and working closely with the Academic team to optimize student enrollment
• Partner with the Director of Development to oversee fundraising and engagement initiatives to educate the community about the school’s priorities and strengthen its culture of philanthropy
• Assist the Head of School in soliciting and stewarding a small portfolio of Laguna Blanca’s key stakeholders
• Partner with the Director of Communications and Marketing to oversee a multifaceted, unified communication strategy across the school to ensure that both internal and external audiences have the essential information they need to support students in their daily lives and understand the priorities of the school
• Partner with the Chief Financial Officer and business office to sustain efficient, effective and transparent financial tracking and reporting of data and processes
• Provide timely and accurate reporting to the board of trustees in partnership with the Head of School and Chief Financial Officer
• Partner with school leaders to tell the story of Laguna Blanca through the work of faculty and students

Attributes, Skills, and Management Experience

• Highly collaborative leader with the experience and ability to bring teams together, define and communicate the school’s priorities and goals, and cultivate a cohesive work culture
• Strong interpersonal skills and leadership ability with a demonstrated commitment to the Laguna Blanca community and its mission
• Eager to play a hands-on role in the life of the school and broader community
• Knowledge of best practices in advancement within an independent school setting and deep experience in one or more of the following areas, including admissions and enrollment management, marketing and communications, annual and major gift fundraising
• Strong critical thinking skills, including the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and focus on revenue generation
• Demonstrated administrative and advisory skills, excellent listening skills, the ability to inspire others
• Practice humility, empathy, and curiosity in all community interactions
• A joyful self-starter with the ability to maintain a positive mindset and high level of energy while managing a variety of tasks and projects

The salary range for this role is $160,000 - $190,000 and is dependent upon relevant experience. For general information about the benefits and requirements of working at Laguna Blanca, please visit the school’s employment webpage here.

Laguna Blanca School does not discriminate based on gender, race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any characteristic that is legally protected under applicable local, state, or federal law. This nondiscrimination policy includes but is not limited to admission, financial aid, educational programs, athletics, and employment.

Interested candidates, please contact Narwhal Talent Partners:

Peter G. Hamilton  |  (617) 620-9268

Christian G. Henry |  (857) 285-3364

search@narwhaltalent.com

All inquiries are treated as confidential.

About Laguna Blanca School

Connections working at Laguna Blanca School