Chief Advancement Officer

Spoleto Festival USA, the nation’s premier performing arts festival, seeks a dynamic and accomplished Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) to expertly lead all fundraising and engagement efforts on behalf of the organization. Reporting to the General Director & CEO and serving as a key member of the senior leadership team, the CAO is responsible for elevating and enhancing the fundraising capabilities of the organization during a pivotal time in the institution’s growth. As Spoleto nears the completion of a comprehensive strategic planning process and enters a critical juncture of organizational transformation, the CAO will play a key role in defining philanthropic priorities for Spoleto’s next campaign endeavor. This is a unique opportunity for an ambitious and aspirational advancement professional to establish the overarching vision and operational support to advance Spoleto’s fundraising and engagement enterprise – applying best practices, data-driven strategies, and innovative approaches for enhancing the philanthropic capacity of the organization.

For 17 days and nights each spring, Spoleto Festival USA transforms Charleston into a global epicenter for the performing arts, presenting more than 150 performances by renowned artists as well as emerging talent in opera; theater; dance; and chamber, symphonic, choral, and jazz music. Now approaching its 47th season, Spoleto is internationally recognized as America’s premier performing arts festival of its kind. In addition to presenting exciting and innovative programs, Spoleto both commissions original work and produces its own operas, specializing in rarely performed masterpieces by well-known composers; American premieres; and traditional works presented in new ways. Attracting more than 65,000 audience members annually from around the world, the Festival has also served as a catalyst for cultural change in Charleston, propelling its rise as a top global travel destination and generating nearly $42.7 million annually in economic impact on the city. Regularly coinciding with the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, the Spoleto Festival USA 2023 season begins May 26 and concludes on June 11. 

As Spoleto plans for future growth, the CAO will provide innovative leadership and strategic vision to all aspects of the organization’s fundraising and engagement activities. By guiding and supporting the General Director & CEO in his role as chief fundraiser and personally engaging a select portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, this individual will take leadership in cultivating and soliciting transformative gifts and operationalizing bold new ideas, as well as time-tested techniques, to achieve significant growth through individual, institutional, and planned giving efforts. In addition to expanding the number of planned gifts, corporate and foundation support is a is a significant growth area for Spoleto’s advancement enterprise. As such, the CAO will incorporate into their overarching vision a long-term plan for coordinating activity, developing strategies, building relationships, and raising funds from corporate, foundation, and organizational donors. To successfully achieve these goals, the CAO will maintain collaborative relationships with colleagues across the organization to coordinate and execute philanthropic initiatives. With oversight for a team of six full-time and four seasonal staff members, the CAO will possess a collegial, team-building style and a proven ability to motivate staff, keeping them inspired, energized, and focused on results. The CAO will also possess a depth of knowledge in all key areas of advancement, along with a demonstrated ability to plan, manage, and successfully close a comprehensive or capital campaign. 

The ideal candidate will embrace the opportunity to further advance a bold and distinctive strategic vision for Spoleto. With at least ten years of leadership experience in advancement, the CAO should possess strong managerial, strategic planning, and motivational skills; a keen understanding of fundraising best practices; and a track record of personal success in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship at the major gift level. The CAO will demonstrate a commitment to Spoleto’s mission and core values, as well as an appreciation for and understanding of its contributions to the arts within the local community and beyond. Spoleto strongly recognizes that diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) initiatives must be infused in all practices at each level of the organization and is committed to ensuring that DEAI initiatives are part of its long-term strategies. Charged with developing fundraising plans for and engaging with diverse groups of artistic practitioners and enthusiasts, the CAO must similarly possess a demonstrated interest in and track record of advancing DEAI. 

This role is an exceptional opportunity for a high-performing individual to lead an advancement program in support of Spoleto’s mission through the implementation of best practices, team and capacity building, and the application of innovative strategies which will create a philanthropic enterprise of unsurpassed effectiveness.

Jack Gorman is leading this search with Nicole Poe and Ryan Cheung. 

Spoleto Festival USA is an equal opportunity employer and committed to diversity in hiring. Equity is central to its culture, mission, and identity as an arts organization. Spoleto Festival USA does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership, parental status, military status, or any other non-merit factor.