Description
Keep America Beautiful | Chief Growth Officer
Location: Remote or Stamford, Connecticut (with regular U.S. travel)
Keep America Beautiful (KAB) is a national nonprofit on a mission to spark action and pride in the places we call home. KAB believes everyone deserves to live in a clean, green, and beautiful community – and the organization is working to make that vision a reality.
Since 1953, KAB has grown into a dynamic movement powered by millions of volunteers, more than 700 local affiliates, and a coast-to-coast network of civic leaders, companies, and local governments. Together they work through a common theory of change based on listening to community needs, engaging local stakeholders, and responding with tested solutions learned through peer-to-peer sharing. From picking up litter to planting trees, boosting recycling, and transforming neighborhoods, KAB brings people together to build more vibrant, connected, and beautiful communities.
Context for Recruitment & Position Summary
KAB is investing in a newly aligned marketing-communications and development business unit in order to optimize the strategic integration of these public-facing functions for the organization, drive sustainable growth, and scale impact. The establishment of this business unit and creation of the Chief Growth Officer (CGO) position provides a critical opportunity to leverage a period of extraordinary organizational growth, visibility, and community engagement to deepen existing relationships as well as expand the base of support and philanthropic investment in KAB’s mission.
The CGO reports directly to the President & CEO with a primary charge of growing revenue and engagement in the organization. To support these efforts, the CGO will lead a suite of senior staff including Vice President of Corporate Partnerships, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, and a team of development professionals and operations support. This role is envisioned to expand external engagement with KAB, advance the public presence of the organization, and increase long-term financial sustainability through data-driven strategies, reliable and best-in-class digital platforms for public engagement (website, social media, digital philanthropy and related infrastructure, etc.), and a compelling case for support, all built upon branding and dynamic storytelling that emphasize the organization’s proactive community and environmental stewardship – fostering a technology-enabled fundraising engine (including AI) and increasingly diversified revenue sources.
The CGO will be the central figure in driving initiatives to achieve the organization’s untapped potential in individual and major gifts, structuring a seamless donor experience and comprehensive journey with clear pathways for increasing levels of investment in KAB and tailored stewardship that promotes loyalty to the organization.
Candidate Profile
While KAB will consider a broad range of backgrounds, the ideal candidate will have the following key experience, qualifications, and skills:
- Authentic connection to and passion for the mission and vision of KAB.
- Knowledge of and fundamental adherence to the principles, ethics, and best practices of modern fundraising, including the integration of various giving programs to diversify the funding base and cultivate greater donor commitments; proven success in leading multi-channel fundraising strategies and a demonstrated track record of successful frontline fundraising in a complex environment with multiple stakeholders; hands-on major gift experience, including cultivation through solicitation and stewardship; track record of advancing prospect discovery and engagement at all levels of giving.
- Ten or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in marketing, , digital/web, social media, or fundraising marketing, experience with marketing technologies and emerging artificial intelligence, comprehensive skills in marketing communications, including the creation and refinement of compelling storytelling, digital fluency, social media content development, leveraging of multi-channel marketing approaches to accomplish goals and objectives, and the interpretation and application of data to drive strategies.
- Particular strength in developing strategic fundraising strategies, integration of marketing and fundraising in federated or networked environments, executing against plans to achieve goals and objectives, and creating and managing a budget is critical; experience working directly with the most senior levels of an organization is very important; ability to effectively strategize and engage various groups and constituents in fundraising initiatives.
- Strong leadership and management capacity with experience in senior management and the ability to lead, recruit, evaluate, and develop professionals, preferably including experience leading teams in remote or hybrid work models; track record of maintaining best practices, clear goals, and shared accountability, as well as working across departmental or divisional lines when necessary to achieve results; outstanding strategic planning and budget management skills. Deep commitment to positive culture development and team growth.
- Experience nurturing and motivating board members or other high-level volunteers..
- Strong record of data-driven decision making; ability to extract and analyze data to inform marketing, communications, and fundraising strategies, measure success, and adapt strategies as needed; knowledge of modern data management practices and innovations that can streamline processes and contribute to the integration of related functions.
- Integrity and mature judgment in handling sensitive information. Committed to personal and professional development. Elevates institutional goals beyond personal gain, ensuring efforts are mission-focused and quality-driven.
- Adaptive, positive leadership style, impeccable judgment, and the maturity to work collaboratively with a wide variety of people of diverse professional and cultural backgrounds, including executives, board members, volunteers, and community leaders; ethos of servant leadership, respect, diplomacy, equity, and inclusivity.
- Superb verbal and written communication skills, including excellent presentation skills, as well as a good sense of humor, with the stature, demeanor, and comfort level to serve as a highly visible and public-facing ambassador. Ability to inspirationally communicate KAB’s work and impact to donors.
- Self-starter with an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit, and exceptional organizational and executive-level management skills; outcomes-oriented and strategic thinker with a strong work ethic for high-quality performance, attention to detail, and accountability; excellent problem-solving skills.
- Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative, and evolving nonprofit environment.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Persons with national service experience (VISTA, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and veterans are encouraged to apply. Keep America Beautiful is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, ancestry, marital status, being a party to a civil union, handicap or disabilities or perception of disabilities, political activity, or other protected class status. Discrimination in violation of this policy is prohibited.
Download the full position description via the following link:
https://www.dsgco.com/search/22921-kab
Keep America Beautiful has retained the DSG Fundraising & Advancement Practice of DSG | Koya to assist in this confidential search process. Inquiries, nominations, and applications (current resumes and cover letters) may be submitted via the following link or directed to the leaders of the search team:
https://talent-profile.dsgco.com/search/v2/22921
Gerard F. Cattie, Jr.
Global Managing Partner and Practice Founder, DSG Fundraising & Advancement
gerard.cattie@dsgco.com
Paul Towne
Managing Director, Nonprofit and Social Impact Practice
paul.towne@dsgco.com
