Chief Advancement Officer & US Fencing Foundation Executive Director

Position title: Chief Advancement Officer
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Note: Priority will be given to applications received by April 15, 2023
Based: Preference for applicants living in Colorado Springs, New York Metro, San Francisco Metro - but location is flexible for the right applicant.

Work in the exciting, fast-paced, collaborative world of sports at USA Fencing, the national governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of fencing in the United States.

The role of the Chief Advancement Officer & U.S. Fencing Foundation Executive Director is to manage overall operations and grow the U.S. Fencing Foundation (“Foundation”) major gifts, annual fund initiatives/programs, donor events, communications, marketing, grant programs and community initiatives, while overseeing day-to-day business operations. The CAO-ED will also be part of USA Fencing’s Senior Management Team and Director-level decision making. The ideal candidate brings a passion for the Foundation’s mission, is entrepreneurial, innovative, and practical with strong business acumen and proven experience leading and growing a similar Foundation leading an annual raise of $2m or more during the initial period of employment.

The role leads a Development Manager and collaborates, supports and is supported by colleagues across Finance, Communications & DEIB, Sport Performance, Membership Service & Growth, Athlete Safety & Compliance and the Executive Office.

USA Fencing particularly encourages applications from diverse individuals with relevant experience as detailed below. 

Responsibilities: 

Fundraising:

• Responsible for generating hyper year-over-year growth in major gifts and overall fundraising
• Responsible for achieving the annual giving and events fundraising goals within each calendar year
• Develop and lead short and long-term plans, laying out growth strategies and tactics to establish the Foundation as a best-in-class annual fundraising organization
• Create and implement fundraising campaigns to identify, cultivate and steward major gifts, including planning giving opportunities 
• Enhance and implement consistent donor benefits, perks and stewardship
• Develop and implement a plan to optimize the existing and potential future programmatic events to generate incremental fundraising and incentivize major gift donors
• Oversee all Foundation events, experiences, and any other events/experiences that drive fundraising and engagement.

Business Operations

• Responsible for developing, in cooperation with the CEO and the Foundation Board of Trustees (“Trustees”), delivering and reporting on an annual business plan aligned with the strategic priorities and long-term road map for the Foundation
• Collaborate with all Trustees, committees, and the USA Fencing Senior Management Team
• Lead all foundation business operations including, but not limited to, CRM management and optimization, reporting, budgeting and managerial duties
• Coordinate with athletes, coaches and U.S. Olympians/Paralympians on speaking engagements, fantasy experiences, personal appearances and signed memorabilia and other engagement with the Foundation.
• In conjunction with USA Fencing finance team, oversee budget development, monthly review of financial statements and assistance with annual 990
• Manage all development staff
• Lead grant funding and expense reconciliations including working with the USA Fencing finance team on available funding.
• Other duties and functions as needed

Required Experience and Competencies:  

• Minimum seven years of experience in fundraising within collegiate athletics, Olympic & Paralympic sports or similar. 
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject or equivalent direct experience.
• A commitment to a positive, mutually supportive, work environment and strong, open, collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• A commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.
• A passion for both able-bodied and paralympic Fencing.
• Significant proven development experience focused on major gifts.
• Extremely personable with excellent verbal and written and public speaking skills.
• Experience growing, stewarding and maintaining relationships with parents, alumni, athletes across a spectrum of demographics.
• Experience with Major Gift, Annual Giving, Planned Giving and VIP hospitality events.
• A creative and thoughtful mindset and a willingness to work with donors and internal stakeholders for the ultimate positive relationship.
• Experience securing significant impact from individuals, corporations, foundations and other sources.
• Software proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint or other presentation platforms
• Experience with fundraising CRM systems.
• Highly organized with ability to work independently and manage multiple projects at once from inception through execution; detail-oriented and deadline focused 
• Knowledge of Fencing is encouraged but not required, the willingness to engage and learn the sport of Fencing, is required.
• Ability to travel and work additional hours as necessary, including nights and weekends
• Willingness to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment as part of a team atmosphere, including effective coordination with other business units

Location and Travel

The role is remote-based, or may be based in Colorado Springs, Colo. - as a preference, an individual ought to be based within easy access to the metropolitan areas of New York City, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles-Orange County-San Diego or Denver-Colorado Springs.

If remote, the role will require occasional travel to USA Fencing headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo. USA Fencing’s priority is recruiting the right individual over location factors.

In addition to occasional trips to Colorado Springs, you’ll be required to make extensive travel as part of your mission to grow the foundation and engage our donors.

Work Schedule

This is not your standard 9 to 5; the role will require you to travel throughout the United States and occasionally abroad to build of relationships with those interested in philanthropic engagement. USA Fencing supports autonomous working which means you’ll be expected to make an approved schedule balancing your personal life and family time with that required to fulfill the requirements of the job.

About USA Fencing

USA Fencing is the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of fencing in the United States. Its mission is to grow and promote the sport of fencing in the United States, honor its rich traditions and achieve sustained international success.

USA Fencing and the Foundation are an equal opportunity employers committed to increasing the diversity of its community. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, gender identity or expression, disability, or sexual orientation. To learn more about USA Fencing’s diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging efforts, please visit our DEIB page at: https://www.usafencing.org/deib.

Starting Salary Range 

$125,000–$175,000 base compensation annually, commensurate with experience, plus generous performance bonuses based on meeting fund raising targets.

This is a full-time exempt position.

Benefits Offered

• Unlimited PTO
• 15 holidays per year (including an office closure between Christmas and New Year’s Day)
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Medical, dental and vision insurance, employer-paid mental health coverage.
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Professional development opportunities and training.
• A monthly cell phone stipend, for work use.

Application Process

• We are looking to find the right person. Applications received by April 15, 2023, will be given priority.

Please send your cover letter, resume and work samples to p.andrews@usafencing.org - individuals who desire an informal discussion may reach out the same way.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job.  It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Applications received by April 4, 2023, will be given priority.
• We anticipate at least two rounds of interviews, to include the CEO, experts from other NGB Foundations and the USFF Trustees at various stages of the process.

Please send your cover letter, resume and work samples to CEO, Phil Andrews at p.andrews@usafencing.org - individuals who desire an informal discussion may reach out the same way.