Chief Advancement Officer

KID Museum•Bethesda, MD

1d•$150,000 - $155,000

About The Position

KID Museum is not just a makerspace. We are a redefining how children learn, experience STEM, and envision their future. Every day, we empower youth—especially those historically underrepresented in STEM—to build confidence, creativity, and the real-world skills to shape tomorrow. As we expand our reach and scale our impact nationally, we’re searching for a Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) who is energized by possibility, motivated by mission, and ready to propel a movement. If you believe storytelling can change minds, if you see fundraising as fuel for social change, and if you want your work to matter in a tangible, generational way—this role is for you. This is not a traditional advancement role. This is your chance to shape a national narrative, grow a powerhouse brand, and catalyze resources that will help millions of young people discover their potential. As CAO, you will: ✨ Build a movement, not just a marketing plan. ✨ Champion a mission that blends STEM, creativity, equity, and innovation. ✨ Elevate a bold, future-forward organization poised for national scale. ✨ Lead a high-performing team ready to grow alongside you. ✨ Drive a major capital campaign that will transform what STEM education looks like in America. You’ll work directly with visionary leaders and a deeply committed Board—people who believe that empowering kids to create is one of the most powerful investments we can make in our collective future.

Requirements

15+ years leading advancement, communications, and/or marketing in education, youth development, or mission-driven innovation.
Proven success with major gifts and capital campaigns.
A compelling narrative voice and a love of strategic storytelling.
Experience advising executive leadership and partnering with boards.
A track record of inspiring teams and creating high-performance cultures.
An entrepreneurial mindset, emotional intelligence, and the ability to navigate dynamic environments with clarity and purpose.
You care deeply about unlocking opportunity for young people—and you’re ready to build the systems, relationships, and visibility needed to take this work to the national stage.

Responsibilities

Be the architect of KID Museum’s story—one rooted in creativity, innovation, and impact.
Elevate our regional and national visibility through powerful narrative, media strategy, thought leadership, and bold campaigns.
Shape how educators, families, funders, and policymakers understand the future of learning.
Turn program outcomes into compelling stories that inspire belief, action, and investment.
Build a modern communications engine that connects brand engagement directly to revenue growth.
Design and lead an integrated multi-year revenue strategy to fuel ambitious growth.
Steer a high-profile capital campaign and cultivate a portfolio of deeply engaged major donors.
Partner with the Executive Director, Board, and campaign committee as a trusted strategist and moves-management driver.
Strengthen forecasting, pipeline growth, data-driven systems, and long-term donor relationships.
Ensure fundraising and messaging sing from the same sheet of music—cohesive, compelling, energizing.
Build and mentor high-performing teams that thrive with clarity, purpose, and accountability.
Influence cross-organizational strategy as a key member of the senior leadership team.
Collaborate closely with Programs, Impact, and Operations to align revenue growth with mission expansion.
Be a strategic advisor on positioning, sustainability, and big-picture organizational direction.