Title: Chief Advancement Officer (CAO)

Reports to: President & CEO

Location: Massachusetts (Boston Headquarters)

Salary range: $140,000-160,000

Start Date: August 2023

Organizational Summary

Founded in 2015, the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, Inc. (BECMA) is a statewide organization that advances the economic well-being of Black businesses, organizations, and residents through advocacy, support programming and convening. We are dedicated to eliminating the racial wealth gap for Black people across Massachusetts by helping to create and sustain a thriving Black economy.

BECMA’s work is centered around our 4 pillars for closing the racial wealth gap in MA:

• Entrepreneurship: Nurture start-ups and support existing entrepreneurs by providing them with access to affordable and adequate capital to launch and scale their firms.

• Placement: Focus on workforce development, particularly in Massachusetts’ high-growth industries, and placing Black professionals in decision-making roles in management and board positions.

• Commerce: Support Black business owners in selling their goods and services while helping ally buyers to meet their supplier diversity or ESG goals.

• Ownership: Increase homeownership and business owners’ equity stake in their enterprises.

As a non-profit, BECMA has grown from a concept/start-up to a $4 million+ organization. Part of the fundraising and communication strategy includes the Social Impact Fund, an entity with a dotted line reporting to the President & CEO.

As a member based organization, our top priority is to support our members through advocacy, partnership and programming. We regularly engage with the press, hold public and members-only events throughout the year, and we also host premier annual events including BECMA’s Mass Black Expo and Annual Meeting.

Our membership community includes Black students and professionals, Black business owners as well as partner organizations such as nonprofits, corporations, foundations, hospitals, universities, venture capital firms, insurance companies, and government agencies. BECMA members come from diverse backgrounds, united by the goal of closing the Massachusetts racial wealth gap.

Who We Are

As a startup organization with a transformative mission, we are a team of passionate individuals who are committed to achieving the goal set forth by our founders: eliminating the racial wealth gap. With that in mind, you can look forward to a work culture that is:

• Mission-driven: We are committed to excellence in all we do and put in the time and effort required to achieve our goals.

• Empowering: We believe in creating leaders who are forward-thinking, risk-takers, and confident.

• Collaborative: We understand that our work is interrelated and interdependent.

• Supportive: We create an environment that provides the space and tools to accomplish your tasks and exceed internal and external expectations.

• Innovative: We know it’s better to work smart and are always seeking creative ways to move us closer to our goals.

Who You Are

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), reporting to and in close partnership with the President & CEO of BECMA, will assume the leadership role to design, articulate and implement a comprehensive multi-year fundraising and communications strategy. The incoming CAO will play a critical strategic leadership role in elevating the visibility of BECMA in the community through effective marketing and communication strategies. This new entrepreneurial leader will build capacity and infrastructure for sustainable philanthropic support that will ensure measurable success toward achieving the mission to reduce the wealth gap for Black residents of Massachusetts.

The CAO will lead the strategic planning and launch of creative initiatives to raise awareness and philanthropic support in conjunction with BECMA’s leaders, advisors, staff and board.

The organization is on track to raise $4mm in FY23. BECMA’s diversified revenue mix per year includes corporate and foundation giving (40%), government contracts and grants (25%), and individual donors, sponsorships and membership revenue (35%).

The Chief Advancement Officer will supervise 3 direct reports ( Chief Communications & Marketing Officer, Development Manager and Development Coordinator) and oversee the Communications/Marketing and Events teams.

What You’ll Do

Fundraising and Development:

• Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies to secure financial resources

• Work with the President & CEO, board of directors to plan, execute and facilitate fundraising and communications strategies

• Oversee and enhance the organization's current multi-year grant strategy

• Identify and cultivate relationships with potential donors, philanthropic organizations, and corporate partners

• Develop and maintain a strong network of donors and supporters

• Create and manage fundraising campaigns and events

• Monitor fundraising goals and metrics, and regularly report on progress to the executive team and board of directors

• Collaborate with the finance team to ensure proper management and stewardship of funds.

• Work closely with the President & CEO and Social Impact Lead to oversee and manage a comprehensive development strategy and its execution

Communications and Marketing:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy for fundraising

• Craft compelling messages and narratives to effectively communicate the organization's mission and impact to various stakeholders

• Oversee the creation of marketing materials, including website content, brochures, annual reports, and newsletters

• Utilize various communication channels, including social media, press releases, and public speaking engagements, to promote the org and its initiatives

• Establish and maintain relationships with media outlets and key influencers to increase awareness and visibility

Team Leadership:

• Lead and mentor a team of development, communications, and marketing professionals

• Set clear goals and expectations for team members and provide regular feedback and performance evaluations

• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that encourages creativity, innovation, and professional growth

• Coordinate cross-functional collaboration with other departments to achieve organizational objectives

What You’ll Need

There are innumerable ways to learn, grow, and excel professionally. We respect this when we review applications and take a broad look at the experience of each applicant. We want to get to know you and the unique strengths you will bring to the work. That said, we are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate the following

• Experience in the non-profit sector, with progressive levels of responsibility in fundraising and marketing/communications

• Demonstrated track record of exceptional fundraising and communication activities, including successful identification, cultivation, and solicitation of six figure gifts and grants

• The ability to create, plan and execute best-in-class fundraising and marketing ideas that generate growth

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills

• Experience in the development and oversight of budgets, use of performance data and fundraising analytics

• Experience growing and effectively leading/managing teams

• Demonstrated success building and leading volunteers, and in staffing committees and boards

• Connected to/or working knowledge of the Boston and Massachusetts philanthropic market

• Demonstrated interest in marginalization issues of Black people and community-based activism

• A high level of sensitivity to concerns of race equity and social justice matters.

What You’ll Get

This is a full-time position with some required travel to the office located at the BECMA headquarters in Boston, MA. Travel to events held throughout the state is also expected. The salary range for this position is $140,000-$160,000 and is commensurate with lived and professional experiences.

BECMA also offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• 401(k) retirement plan

• Life insurance, flexible medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your family

• Unlimited paid time off

• Office issued laptop or computer and cell-phone

• Professional development stipend

Interested candidates are encouraged to promptly submit their application through our online portal. Candidates who advance should expect to have a phone interview with the Recruitment Team at Positively Partners, followed by a virtual interview with the hiring manager, and a final interview which will include an opportunity to meet and engage with the BECMA team more broadly. Please email mcoleman@positivelypartners.org with questions or for support submitting your application.

As an EOE/AA employer, the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin or ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, genetic information, veteran or disability status or any other factor prohibited by law.