Chief Advancement Officer (CAO)

Position Start Date: July 1, 2027

Application Review and Interviews: Beginning Immediately

Anticipated Completion of Search: December 15, 2026

ABOUT CLASSICAL SCHOOL OF WICHITA

Founded in 2006, Classical School of Wichita (CSW) is a thriving classical Christian school serving nearly 500 students in kindergarten through 12th grade in Wichita, Kansas. CSW is committed to partnering with Christian families to cultivate wisdom, virtue, and godliness through an education rooted in the historic Christian faith and the classical liberal arts.

CSW is a member of the Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS) and the Society for Classical Learning (SCL). The school holds national accreditation through the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA) and ACCS.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Classical School of Wichita is seeking a mature Christian and accomplished leader to serve as its next Chief Advancement Officer (CAO).

The Chief Advancement Officer serves on the school’s executive leadership team and provides strategic leadership for fundraising, donor relations, admissions, marketing, communications, and major schoolwide events. Reporting directly to the Head of School, the CAO oversees the Director of Admissions and Director of Communications, ensuring a coordinated approach to institutional advancement.

The ideal candidate is a mission-driven leader who combines strategic vision with strong relational skills, organizational excellence, and a passion for classical Christian education.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising and Development

• Lead annual fundraising, capital campaigns, and major gift initiatives.
• Cultivate lasting relationships with donors, foundations, alumni, and community partners.
• Develop strategies for long-term financial sustainability through charitable giving.
• Create and execute an annual advancement plan with measurable goals and outcomes.

Admissions and Enrollment

• Provide leadership and oversight for the Director of Admissions.
• Strengthen strategies for attracting, enrolling, and retaining mission-aligned families.
• Monitor recruitment, admissions, and enrollment goals.

Communications and Marketing

• Provide leadership and oversight for the Director of Communications.
• Oversee institutional branding, marketing, public relations, and messaging.
• Ensure consistent communication of the school’s mission, philosophy, values, and vision.

Schoolwide Events

• Provide strategic oversight for major schoolwide events and institutional gatherings.
• Coordinate with administrators, staff, and volunteers to deliver excellent, mission-driven events.
• Oversee major fundraising events and community celebrations.

Executive Leadership

• Serve as a proactive and collaborative member of the executive leadership team.
• Supervise, support, and evaluate advancement department staff.
• Manage departmental budgets and resources effectively.
• Contribute to the school’s strategic planning and long-term institutional development.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following qualifications.

• A mature Christian faith and faithful membership in a local church aligned with the school’s statement of faith.
• General agreement with either the Westminster Confession of Faith or the London Baptist Confession of Faith.
• A strong commitment to the mission and vision of Classical School of Wichita.
• Working knowledge of relational fundraising, donor development, admissions, marketing, communication platforms, school management systems, event management, grant writing, foundations, theology, and business.
• An understanding of and appreciation for classical Christian education.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, organizational, and leadership abilities.
• Strategic thinking, personal initiative, sound professional judgment, and the ability to work independently.
• A commitment to ongoing professional growth and continuous improvement.

POSITION DETAILS AND COMPENSATION

This is a full-time, twelve-month executive leadership position beginning July 1, 2027. The CAO maintains administrative office hours throughout the year, including the summer, and participates in occasional evening and weekend events. The position reports directly to the Head of School and is evaluated annually.

Compensation is commensurate with experience and comparable executive leadership positions in Christian education. Benefits may include health insurance, retirement, and tuition discounts.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should either complete an application or submit a resume and introductory email expressing their interest in the position to

Dr. Timothy Dernlan

Head of School

Classical School of Wichita

[email protected]

Applications and interviews will begin immediately, with the goal of concluding the search by December 15, 2026.

Anticipated Start Date: July 1, 2027

Classical School of Wichita welcomes applications from qualified Christian leaders who desire to advance the mission of classical Christian education and contribute to the long-term flourishing of the school.