Chief Advancement Officer

About the Organization

The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) is dedicated to protecting animal lives and advancing their interests through the use of the legal system. The organization achieves this by filing impactful lawsuits against animal abuse, providing free legal training and support to prosecutors, advocating for strong animal protection legislation, opposing detrimental laws, compiling data on animal exploitation industries, and offering resources to law students and professionals in the emerging field of animal law.

Role Overview

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) will serve as a key member of ALDF's Senior Leadership Team and be responsible for overseeing all engagement strategies that bolster support for ALDF's mission. This includes enhancing fundraising approaches, managing donor relations, directing marketing and communications efforts, and improving advancement operations. The CAO will lead the implementation of a new advancement structure aligned with strategic priorities, manage a CRM migration, and drive change management initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Communications and Development teams by managing Advancement Directors, setting strategic vision and priorities, and coaching team members to foster collaboration and accountability.
• Develop and drive a multi-year Advancement strategy to increase support aligned with ALDF's mission and strategic plan.
• Ensure fundraising, engagement, and communications strategies are data-driven, consistent with organizational priorities, and maintain a unified brand voice.
• Design and implement advancement structures, systems, and processes including senior leadership sponsorship of CRM migration and enhancement of data quality, reporting, and insights.
• Manage advancement operations to ensure goal setting and performance tracking are effective and efficient.
• Provide strategic advice and serve as a thought partner to Advancement Directors, aiding decision-making and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with the Senior Leadership Team and Advancement Directors on annual budget planning and monitor budget adherence throughout the year.
• Represent the Advancement division on the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to overall strategy, culture, and organizational decision-making.
• Partner with Executive Director, leadership, and Board to advance initiatives and overcome challenges.
• Report regularly to Senior Leadership and the Board on Communications and Development team progress toward goals.
• Build and maintain high-level external relationships to enhance strategy, expand partnerships, and increase ALDF's public impact.

Candidate Profile

• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, especially in strategic development or communications roles.
• At least 5 years in formal leadership or executive positions with demonstrated inclusive leadership and team-building skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, or a related discipline; advanced degrees (MBA, MA, JD) preferred.
• Strong alignment with ALDF’s mission and demonstrated commitment to animal protection.
• Exceptional leadership abilities, vision articulation, and team motivation skills.
• Excellent communication capabilities with diverse internal and external audiences, including listening and relationship-building prowess.
• Superior problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making aptitudes.
• Empathy and skills in conflict resolution, with a capacity to work collaboratively in team and partnership environments.
• Strategic, creative, and thoughtful approach to vision implementation, with sound judgment and self-regulation.
• Unwavering dedication to integrity in professional conduct.
• Experience with donor management databases, CRM systems, system implementations, and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Willingness to travel occasionally (1-3 trips annually) for meetings, retreats, conferences, Board and donor engagements as required.

Compensation and Benefits

• Starting annual salary of $203,838 depending on location.
• Higher starting salaries for candidates near Washington D.C., Cotati CA, or Los Angeles ($214,567), and New York City or San Francisco ($225,295).
• Salary rates are fixed according to geographical factors and not open to negotiation.
• Comprehensive healthcare, dental, vision, and life insurance fully paid by employer, plus optional Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Account.
• Generous paid time off including 192 hours of PTO and 19 paid holidays annually.
• One-month paid sabbatical after five years of continuous service.
• Sixteen weeks of paid parental leave.
• Access to a 401(k) plan with up to 5% employer match after one year.
• Flexible work scheduling available at the discretion of management.
• One-time remote work setup allowance of $750.
• Professional development funds of up to $1,000 annually.

Additional Information

This position is remote but requires U.S. residency. Verification of work eligibility in the U.S. will be required upon hire in compliance with federal law. ALDF is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusivity and non-discrimination on all legally protected bases. The organization maintains an animal-product-free events policy. The application deadline is August 1, 2026, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and early submission is encouraged.