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Overview
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 $250,000-275,000 and will include a generous benefits package.
CONTACT
DSG | Storbeck is managing this recruitment. Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, please submit your CV and cover letter, electronically and in confidence, at the following link: https://talent-profile.dsgco.com/search/v2/23304.
Confidential nominations or referrals should be directed to [email protected].
Key Responsibilities
Advancement Strategy & Institutional Leadership
- 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.
Fundraising & Donor Engagement
- 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.
Alumni Affairs & Volunteer Engagement
- 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.
Advancement Operations & Organizational Management
- 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.
Team Leadership
- 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.
Communications, Events & External Relations
- 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.
Reporting & Strategic Insights
- 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:
1. Strong strategic leadership and organizational management skills.
2. Deep understanding of fundraising and alumni engagement practices.
3. Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
4. Ability to operate effectively within a complex academic environment.
5. High level of professionalism, judgment, and discretion.
Principal Responsibilities
1. Responsible for planning, managing, and executing all aspects of development effort. 2. 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. 3. Works with staff to develop and implement plans to carry out the organization's goals and strategies, including establishing specific activity goals for all phases of the donor/prospect life-cycle (cultivation, solicitation, closure and stewardship). 4. Directs and grows a team of development professionals responsible for generating an increased volume of successful development activities and establishing a culture that encourages ever-improving levels of performance and responsiveness to donors. 5. Develops strong ties with the faculty in order to understand and support the organization's programs and mission. 6. Manages engagement of faculty, administrators, and University officials in fundraising efforts. 7. Manages and staffs the senior management development activities and calendar to ensure maximum deployment. 8. Personally maintains a significant portfolio of leadership and principal gift prospects. 9. Participates in the development of strategy and content for all development publications and events. 10. If requested, develops and maintains relationships with members of the School Fund Board, if in existence. 11. Works regularly and cooperatively with other development offices to ensure overall development priorities, plans, and initiatives are coordinated. 12. Serves as the liaison with other development offices to provide information on organization needs and to develop strategies for prospects that are staffed centrally. 13. May perform other duties as assigned.
Required Education and Experience Bachelor’s Degree and ten years of related work experience in an academic institution or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Job Posting Date
07/08/2026
Job Category
Professional
Bargaining Unit
NON
Compensation Grade
Development
Compensation Grade Profile
Development Director (Ungraded)
Salary Range
0.00 - 0.00
Time Type
Full time
Duration Type
Staff
Work Model
Hybrid
Background Check Requirements
All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.
Health Requirements
Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.
Posting Disclaimer
Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department.
The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.
Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).
Note
Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.
