Chief Advancement Officer

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) seeks a seasoned and inspirational fundraising professional to serve as the next chief advancement officer (CAO) of the Mellon College of Science (MCS). Joining Dean Barbara Shinn-Cunningham at the outset of her tenure and serving as an integral member of the dean’s senior management team, the CAO will provide bold strategic vision, leadership, and direction for all fundraising, alumni engagement, and stewardship activities for MCS during an exciting time of growth and change at CMU. This is a unique opportunity for a proven development professional to partner with a dynamic and energetic dean to garner the critical resources necessary to further advance and deliver on the college’s mission. 

Reporting to Dr. Shinn-Cunningham, Glen de Vries Dean at the Mellon College of Science, with a dotted line report to the associate vice president for development, the CAO will join the university as they conclude their record-breaking Make Possible campaign on June 30, 2025. The CAO will develop and refine the overall strategy and fundraising priorities for development at MCS in conjunction with University Advancement colleagues. The CAO will benefit from Dean Shinn-Cunningham’s commitment to development-related activities and serve as her chief strategist on all fundraising matters. The CAO will bring a thoughtful, proactive, collaborative, and entrepreneurial approach to leveraging MCS’s existing relationships and to positioning the dean to connect with philanthropists, entrepreneurs, alumni and business leaders who may not yet be engaged with the college. The CAO will be active and visible on campus and in the greater community, and will possess a deep appreciation for, and ability to clearly articulate, the role and importance of a research university as well as the achievements and aspirations of MCS to a broad and diverse audience.

The CAO will provide leadership and management for the vision, direction, planning, and execution of fundraising and alumni relations activities for the college. The CAO will inherit a high-performing team specializing in individual gifts, corporate, foundation, and government relations. The CAO will lead by example by carrying a personal portfolio of major gift prospects. The CAO will lead the team to launch systematic initiatives to identify and cultivate the next generation of donors while maintaining and strengthening ties to existing donors and seeking out new philanthropic opportunities. 

This is an exceptional opportunity for a high-performing, energetic, collaborative, imaginative, well-organized, and accomplished leader to further elevate MCS’ development program through the implementation of best practices, team and capacity building, calculated risk-taking, and the application of data-driven strategies that will create a philanthropic enterprise of unsurpassed effectiveness. The ideal candidate must be a self-starter who operates with a sense of urgency and thinks strategically, analytically, and entrepreneurially, with an ability to transform new ideas into executable and enduring programs. With at least 10 years of leadership experience in successful development operations, preferably in complex research university environments, the ideal candidate must possess strong strategic planning, managerial, and motivational skills; a keen understanding of best practices in fundraising and a comprehensive knowledge of all major development functions, including a depth of campaign experience; and a track record of significant personal success in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship at major and principal gift levels. The ideal candidate will have proven success leading development staff through the process of setting and achieving annual and long-range fundraising goals to support campaign priorities. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned team leader adept at maximizing, leveraging, and advocating for a talented staff, and facilitating team success.

The CAO must possess high levels of integrity, credibility, and drive; be good-natured, flexible, and open-minded; and be able to adapt in a dynamic environment. The ideal candidate must possess a demonstrated commitment to the highest ethical standards and exhibit the credibility, maturity, and sophistication to effectively engage and partner with key internal and external stakeholders. The candidate must possess very well-developed interpersonal and negotiation skills, and the desire and ability to build bridges and strong collaborative relationships with all members of an operation across a university, ideally approaching their work with enthusiasm and a sense of humor. A bachelor’s degree is required.

Jack Gorman is leading this search with Elizabeth Neustaedter and Ryan Cheung. 

Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate in admission, employment or administration of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap or disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, ancestry, belief, veteran status or genetic information. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and is required not to discriminate in violation of federal, state or local laws or executive orders.