Ap 30th, 2026
Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts
Chief Advancement Officer
( Massachusetts | On-site Remote Hybrid )
About the Organization
For over 100 years, Girl Scouts has empowered girls to lead, break barriers, and create positive change.
At Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (GSEMA), we foster a powerful all-girl space that values collaboration over competition, inspiring girls to turn their dreams into reality.
Job Description
Position Details
Salary Range: $185,000 – $195,000
Reports To: CEO
Location: Hybrid – Waltham Office (GSEMA)
This position requires regular in-person meetings with team members, donors, and board members. Must be able to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and travel throughout GSEMA’s service area.
Position Overview
This leader creatively and proactively identifies, qualifies, and cultivates new and existing donor prospects, strengthening and diversifying the pipeline to deepen GSEMA’s philanthropic portfolio.
With a balance of strategic vision, operational excellence, and emotional intelligence, the CAO builds momentum and deepens donor alignment with GSEMA’s mission while communicating the transformative impact of Girl Scouts—building girls of courage, confidence, and character.
The CAO supports growth among new and emerging membership communities and builds authentic relationships with individuals and communities of all backgrounds to help advance GSEMA’s next chapter of impact and growth.
The CAO leads, manages, and mentors a team of five advancement professionals, ensuring annual fundraising goals are achieved across cultivation, solicitation, major gifts, foundations, grants, and legacy giving.
Areas of Responsibility
Strategic Leadership
Serve as chief strategist for comprehensive advancement efforts including major gifts, campaigns, annual giving, planned giving, donor stewardship, and engagement
Collaborate with Senior Leadership and Advancement teams to promote an organization-wide culture of philanthropy
Operationalize GSEMA’s three-year strategic plan with measurable goals and ROI tracking
Serve as liaison to the Board Fund Development Committee and Board Nominating and Development Committee
Support board recruitment, onboarding, and development
Partner with Mission Delivery and Operations to create a Girl Scout alumni donor campaign
Fundraising & Donor Engagement
Maintain visibility within existing communities while building relationships in new communities
Cultivate and steward donors, board members, corporations, foundations, and funders
Develop donor portfolios for CEO and Board engagement efforts
Manage a personal portfolio of up to 50 donors and prospects
Build giving pipelines across all donor categories
Estimated Time Allocation:
Major Gift Solicitation & Stewardship: 40%
CEO & Board Partnership: 20%
Team Building: 30%
Operations: 10%
Team & Organizational Leadership
Ensure donor systems, policies, infrastructure, and confidential records management support effective engagement
Provide financial reporting to CEO, Board, and Senior Leadership Team
Partner with Marketing and Chief of Staff to ensure brand consistency across donor communications
Develop community collaborations and broader stakeholder engagement efforts
Lead grants, proposals, major gifts, principal gifts, foundations, and legacy giving efforts
Qualifications
Required
Bachelor’s degree required
Minimum 8 years of progressive fundraising experience with direct fundraising and annual giving growth expectations of 5–10% annually
Minimum 8 years of management and supervisory experience
Strong financial acumen and experience using fundraising analytics and databases
Demonstrated relationship-building experience with diverse stakeholders
Budget development and financial oversight experience
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
Experience executing strategic communications supporting advancement initiatives
Proficiency in Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office Suite
Experience with Raiser’s Edge or comparable donor databases
Strong organizational, prioritization, and project management skills
Strong problem-solving and adaptability skills
Deep commitment to GSEMA’s mission
Preferred
Advanced degree preferred
Compliance, Legal & Other Requirements
Successful completion of background checks required (state, sexual offender, and potentially national background checks)
Active membership in the Girl Scout Movement required throughout employment
Compensation & Benefits
Salary
$185,000 – $195,000 annually
Benefits
Work-Life Harmony
Flexible schedule (typically 37.5 hours/week)
Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday benefits
Health & Wellness
Full medical and dental coverage
Group life insurance
Disability coverage
Employee Assistance Program
Retirement & Development
403(b) Retirement Savings Plan
Paid professional development and training opportunities
Girl Scout Benefits
Discounts on merchandise at Council Shop
Discounted summer camp rates for eligible family members (up to two weeks)
Outdoor activities and staff camp days
Explore additional details via the GSEMA careers page.
Equal Opportunity & Inclusion
Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and racial justice.
Research shows women and members of historically marginalized groups may not apply unless they meet all requirements. If this resonates with you, GSEMA encourages you to apply anyway.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.
Contact email for applicants careers@gsema.org