California College of the Arts is Hiring for Vice President for Advancement

Vice President for Advancement — California College of the Arts

California College of the Arts (CCA) seeks a Vice President for Advancement to lead a comprehensive advancement program across fundraising, alumni engagement, and industry partnerships. Reporting to the President and serving on the President’s Leadership Team, this executive will shape strategy, elevate visibility, and foster an inclusive culture of philanthropy that aligns with CCA’s mission and values.

Company Overview

As an educational and cultural institution based in San Francisco, CCA is committed to access, equity, and belonging. The college prioritizes a diverse and inclusive community and advances its mission through partnerships with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters. Learn more about the organization on CCA’s company page.

Role Summary

The Vice President for Advancement will architect and lead an institution-wide strategy to grow contributed revenue and deepen engagement with individuals, industry, foundations, and government. The leader will manage a high-performing team, collaborate closely with senior administrators and trustees, and champion continuous improvement grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. A successful background check is required.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic vision and tactical leadership across fundraising, engagement programs, and constituent relationships.
• Ensure advancement initiatives reflect CCA’s mission and DEIB values in all activities and communications.
• Design a comprehensive, growth-oriented fundraising and engagement strategy with clear priorities and objectives across units.
• Drive giving across annual fund, major and planned giving, alumni and parent giving, industry partnerships, and foundation/government relations.
• Personally manage a select portfolio of major gift prospects; cultivate, solicit, and steward donors at the highest levels.
• Partner with the president, provost, deans, and trustees to prioritize opportunities and mobilize volunteers for principal and major gifts.
• Evaluate philanthropic capacity; strengthen staff, systems, and resources to expand donor identification, engagement, and stewardship.
• Support and develop board and volunteer leaders; serve as staff liaison to Governance & Nominating and Advancement Committees.
• Craft clear, compelling messages with the leadership team to inspire internal and external audiences and broaden outreach.
• Lead an inclusive, collaborative advancement division; set goals, align work with institutional priorities, and foster cross-campus partnerships.
• Ensure effective data management, gift processing, reporting, and budget oversight, upholding best practices in accountability and compliance.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• 10+ years of advancement leadership in higher education, arts and culture, or nonprofits with proven major gifts success.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 7+ years of supervisory experience; track record of attracting, mentoring, and leading diverse teams.
• Knowledge of Bay Area philanthropy and its business, cultural, and social landscape.
• Proven partner to senior leadership; expert in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for principal and major gifts.
• Compelling communicator able to craft and deliver a persuasive case for support to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated success setting and achieving ambitious goals across fundraising, partnerships, and outreach.
• Proficient with fundraising software; adept with digital platforms, social media, AI, and emerging technologies for engagement and giving.
• Energetic, resourceful, and organized; strong analytical, budgeting, and interpersonal skills with sound judgment and integrity.

Compensation, Benefits, and Location

Salary range: $220,000–$250,000 (USD), full-time, exempt. Location: San Francisco, CA. Work mode: Campus hybrid. CCA considers a full-time work week to be 37.5 hours. Benefits include a comprehensive package with multiple medical plan options, generous time off, retirement match, and tuition remission; CCA covers an average of 91% of employee-only medical costs and 82% for dependents. Details here.

How to Apply

Submit your application via the CCA application portal with a cover letter and resume. Recommended formats are Word or PDF; if multiple files, compress to a zip file. Provide links for large documents as needed. Screening begins immediately and continues until the position is filled.

Apply here: Incomplete applications will not be considered.

EEO and Additional Information

CCA is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from individuals who will contribute to campus diversity. In alignment with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered. Reasonable accommodation requests for the application or interview process can be directed to hr@cca.edu. A successful background check is required for this role.

Conclusion

If you are ready to lead a high-impact advancement portfolio and grow philanthropic support for CCA, submit your application today via the portal above.

About Mesha: Mesha is a hub for ambitious marketers with playbooks, company spotlights, and curated roles. Explore more marketing opportunities on Mesha Jobs.