Position: Chief Advancement Officer

Since 1965, Lifeworks Services Inc. (“Lifeworks”) has advanced disability inclusion. From grassroots beginnings, Lifeworks has evolved alongside people with disabilities and their families, supporting over 5,500 people annually. Lifeworks reimagines what’s possible through innovative solutions for careers, daily activities, community engagement, and in-home services. It collaborates with employers, communities, and government agencies to co-create expanded opportunities that build more accessible, equitable, and diverse communities.

Today, Lifeworks has four physical locations in Apple Valley, New Hope, Mankato, and Richfield. Its reach extends to 65 of Minnesota’s counties and the organization partners with a network of over 450 businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations.

Through its core services, more than 500 people receive Employment support, over 200 people connect with their communities through Day Support, and 2,400+ Minnesotans self-direct their care through Lifeworks. In 2024, Lifeworks launched disability inclusion and consulting services, educating over 1,600 individuals.

As an advocate for inclusion, Lifeworks is resolutely committed to self-determined support, careers with competitive wages and developing innovative opportunities that enhance everyday lives. The Lifeworks leadership team and employees embrace a common set of core values to guide their work:

1. You Lead the Way. We Listen. We honor choice and pursue opportunities with community at the heart of our work. 
2. Together, We Break Down Barriers. We seek diverse perspectives, advance accessibility, and encourage a sense of belonging for all. 
3. We Focus on Impact. We hold ourselves to the highest standards. We share expertise and collaborate to find solutions that address the whole picture. 
4. We Reinvent What’s Possible. We take chances and welcome the unknown. We learn from the past and lean into the future. 

Visit https://www.lifeworks.org for more information.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Strategic Leadership

1. As a critical member of the executive team, partner with peers to shape and execute on the organization’s long-term vision and strategy and annual goals and objectives.
2. Actively build a culture of philanthropy across Lifeworks, deepening understanding and appreciation for the impact of philanthropy. Inspire a shared commitment to leveraging philanthropy as a powerful driver in achieving the organization’s mission and realizing its full potential.
3. Lead with mission-driven passion and confidence to tackle Lifeworks’ big goals, from effective storytelling to engaging board members to developing corporate employment partners and revitalizing volunteers and more. 
4. Proactively work to ensure effective collaboration, coordination and communication across the organization to leverage impact internally and externally to maximize relationships and ROIs.
5. Participate in Board of Directors meetings and play an active leadership role on the Development Committee, in coordination with the Committee Chair.
6. Ensure that systems and infrastructure are in place to support effective development operations and donor engagement.

Development Leadership

1. Develop, execute and advance the vision for philanthropic development and ensure operational plans are aligned with strategic directives.
2. Lead the team involved in the creation and execution of annual and multi-year fundraising strategies, plans and goals. 
3. Identify new philanthropic revenue opportunities that address emerging priorities.
4. Develop and execute comprehensive strategy for special events to increase Lifeworks’ financial return and standing in the community, including sponsorships, partnerships and grant management.
5. Be a visible and proactive leader within the communities Lifeworks serves, with a particular focus on the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. 
6. Build and nurture relationships with major donors, foundations, and key stakeholders to strengthen the organization’s presence and impact.

Donor Relations and Stewardship

1. Ensure appropriate people, systems and processes are in place to actively engage and cultivate Lifeworks community of supporters – those who give, advocate, and volunteer. Deepen understanding and appreciation of the development function, and unlock the full potential of philanthropy to advance the organization’s mission.
2. Serve as lead fundraising strategist, engaging prospects and donors in effective cultivation, solicitation and stewardship, ensuring best practices are adopted.
3. Personally steward a portfolio of key donors and model effective donor cultivation. 
4. Help the organization sustain and grow relationships with current and past donors and capital campaign funders.

Marketing and Communications Leadership

1. Proactively work to ensure effective collaboration, coordination and communication across all parts of Lifeworks.
2. Oversee and ensure a consistent, compelling message to the public and funders.
3. Ensure donor communications are relevant, impactful and timely, finding creative ways to keep donors and stakeholders close.
4. Serve as a chief external ambassador, speaking on behalf of the organization to donors, media, and community partners.
5. Partner with CEO and CGO to expand Lifeworks’ thought leadership and influence in the disability inclusion landscape.

People & Cultural Leadership

1. Lead and develop an energized, motivated, cross-functional team that drives revenue production and excellent donor experiences, by leveraging the unique strengths of team members.
2. Regularly review and evaluate staffing model, priorities and efficiencies. Make recommendations to optimize team performance, ensuring a culture of excellence.
3. Coach staff, department leaders, the President/CEO, the Board and volunteers in cultivating major donor/funder relationships and solicitation of major gifts and grants.
4. Champion a culture of innovation by remaining open to new ideas, embracing continuous learning, and demonstrating the flexibility needed to adapt and support change as opportunities arise.
5. Build and lead a high-performing development staff to significantly expand philanthropic support from individuals, foundations and government.
6. Ensure that staff have development opportunities to enhance their skills and support their professional growth.

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is a new position at Lifeworks. This strategic leader will lead the organization’s development and marketing teams and be a key member of Lifeworks’ leadership team. The CAO will be instrumental in cultivating a culture of philanthropy across the organization, working closely with both executive leaders and the Board of Directors. The CAO will play a key role in defining a broader definition of philanthropy to generate multifaceted value in support of the mission. 

The CAO will be a passionate champion for Lifeworks’ philanthropic vision, leading the design and implementation of fundraising strategy, capital campaigns and special funding initiatives that attract and steward the financial resources required to fulfill the organization’s mission. Beyond fundraising, the CAO will provide strategic leadership across both development and marketing/communications, ensuring a unified and compelling message to all stakeholders. 

The CAO is expected to be highly engaged in the funding community and a contributor to increasing the visibility and enhancing the perception of Lifeworks, both regionally and nationally.

Reports to: CEO

Direct Reports: VP of Marketing , VP of Fund Development 

Other key relationships: Chief Financial Officer, Chief People Officer, Chief Growth Officer

Position Location: Richfield, Minnesota

Compensation: Base salary range $190K-220K plus up to 20% bonus potential.

To learn more, click here.