Chief Advancement Officer

Description

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:

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

Lifeworks has recently refreshed its strategic plan which includes the following key pillars:

• Expanding to underserved geographies and populations 
• Growing disability inclusion training and consulting services
• Launching the Lifeworks Centers for Disability Inclusion
• Strengthening the culture of excellence
• Modernizing IT systems for scalability

Please visit www.lifeworks.org for more detail and information.

Position Summary

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.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Strategic Leadership

• 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.
• 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.
• Lead with mission-driven passion and confidence to tackle Lifeworks’ big goals, from effective storytelling to engaging board members