Chief Advancement Officer; opens window​/tab

D EERFIELD A SSOCIATES has been retained by St. Mark’s School, located in Southborough, Massachusetts, to conduct a national search for a Chief Advancement Officer.

Reporting to the Head of School and serving as a member of the senior administrative team, the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is responsible for advancing the school’s mission and strategic priorities through philanthropy, storytelling, and authentic relationship-building. The CAO leads a talented advancement team encompassing development, alumni, parent, and trustee engagement, while partnering across departments to ensure an integrated approach to communications and marketing that strengthens the school’s reputation and reach.

By inspiring generosity and connection within the broader community, the CAO supports the school’s long-term financial sustainability and enhances its capacity to prepare students for their futures. This opportunity is available immediately and will be filled following a national search and the candidate of choice being selected.

St. Mark’s School is a coeducational, Episcopal, preparatory school, situated on 210 acres in Southborough, Massachusetts, 25 miles from Boston. Founded in 1865 by Joseph Burnett, St. Mark’s is one of the oldest private boarding schools in New England and is a member of the Independent School League in competitive athletics. The school’s 65 teachers lead 375 boarding and day students through a rigorous curriculum and a full program of co-curricular activities.

Class size averages 12, with a student-faculty ratio of 6:1. Each department offers honors and advanced courses. Dr. Ivory

D. Hills was appointed in 2024 as the new head of school. To learn more, please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). .

• Provide strategic leadership for all advancement functions, aligning philanthropy, communications, and engagement efforts with the school’s mission, values, and long-term strategic plan;
• Serve as a key advisor to the Head of School and Board of Trustees on issues related to philanthropy, reputation, and constituent relations;
• Design and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy encompassing annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, capital campaigns, and endowment growth;
• Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and prospects, ensuring strong, enduring relationships with alumni, parents, and friends of the school;
• Foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the community by inspiring faculty, staff, trustees, and volunteers to understand and support the school’s advancement goals;
• Oversee alumni, parent, and trustee engagement programs that strengthen lifelong connection, volunteerism, and advocacy for the school;
• Lead and mentor a high-performing advancement team, setting clear goals, promoting collaboration and professional growth, and maintaining an environment of accountability and excellence;
• Partner with communications and marketing colleagues to ensure cohesive, mission-driven messaging that elevates the school’s visibility, reputation, and storytelling across all platforms;
• Collaborate with peers in admissions, finance, and academic leadership to ensure advancement strategies support institutional priorities and reinforce the school’s distinct value proposition;
• Work closely with the Board, preparing reports, guiding members’ engagement, and enhancing the board’s overall philanthropic effectiveness;
• Implement and support best practices in data management, analytics, and stewardship, using technology and metrics to inform decisions and measure impact;
• Serve as an ambassador and spokesperson for the school at major events and in the broader community, representing the mission with authenticity and enthusiasm;
• Ensure fiscal responsibility within the advancement office, managing budgets, resources, and operations to achieve ambitious yet sustainable goals;
• Prepare appropriate periodic reports for the Board of Trustees.

• Participate in the Administrator on Duty (AoD) rotation;
• Other duties as assigned.

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively…