Chief Advancement Officer Onboarding Center
New Chief Advancement Officers (CAOs) are expected to hit the ground running while simultaneously navigating a new terrain. In their first six to nine months in-seat they are expected to build strong relationships with stakeholders across the institution, which sets the tone for the rest of their time on campus.
The resources in the Chief Advancement Officer Onboarding Center, are designed to guide advancement leaders during introductory meetings with campus leaders and staff.
Use these tools to:
- Prepare for conversations with university partners and advancement staff upon arrival on campus
- Plan and maximize the value of a listening tour to get up-to-speed with key initiatives across campus
- Understand key success factors for building relationships with influential stakeholders
New CAO first steps & listening tour
Planning the Listening Tour
Most CAOs dedicate their first few months to a broad “listening tour” with stakeholders on and off campus. Use this guide’s organizing principles and recommendations to effectively execute this tour.
Maximizing the Listening Tour: Lessons Learned in Their Own
These quotes, edited for clarity and brevity, are drawn from interviews with current advancement leaders on how to conduct a successful listening tour.
Assessing Institutional Culture and Dynamics
To gain a better understanding of the institution’s culture and dynamics, use these position-agnostic questions when meeting with stakeholders during the listening tour.
Navigating Optics and Perception as the New CAO: Lessons Learned in Their Own Words
Hear how experienced CAOs have hit the ground running in the first six to nine months by successfully navigating the optics and expectations for the CAO position.
CAO & the president
The CAO & the President: Before Accepting the Job
This conversation guide outlines topics that a prospective CAO should ideally ask their President in advance of formally assuming or accepting the job.
The CAO & the President: Stakeholder Engagement Guide
Consult this discussion guide to plan how to engage the institution’s chief executive (often the president or chancellor). Using these key questions will help build a strong working dynamic from the start.
Effective CAO & President Relationships: Lessons Learned in Their Own Words
Gain perspective from current advancement leaders on establishing a successful working relationship with the President and which potential issues incoming advancement leaders should anticipate.
CAO & the provost
The CAO & the Provost: Stakeholder Engagement Guide
This guide outlines key questions and milestones that form the basis for an effective relationship between a CAO and his or her chief academic officer (“provost”). Consult it when planning how to engage the Provost and to develop the agenda for initial meetings.
Effective CAO & Provost Relationships: Lessons Learned in Their Own Words
Current advancement leaders share how to establish a successful working relationship with the Provost.
CAO & the chief business officer
The CAO & the CBO: Stakeholder Engagement Guide
This guide outlines key questions and milestones that form the basis for an effective relationship between a CAO and his or her chief business officer (“CBO”). Consult it when planning how to engage the CBO and to develop the agenda for initial meetings.
Effective CAO & Chief Business Officer Relationships: Lessons Learned in Their Own Words
These quotes are drawn from interviews with current advancement leaders on working with the Chief Business Officer and what to anticipate in the first six to nine months.
CAO & direct reports within advancement
The CAO & Director of Annual Giving: Stakeholder Engagement Guide
This guide outlines key questions, metrics, relationship milestones, and mutual interdependencies that undergird the effective relationship between a CAO and the Director of Annual Giving. Consult it to plan how to provide direction to and collaborate with the Director of Annual Giving.
The CAO & the AVP, Development: Stakeholder Engagement Guide
Use this guide to understand the key questions, relationship milestones, and mutual interdependencies that create an effective relationship between a CAO and the Associate Vice President (AVP), Development. Use this guide to plan how to work with this individual and to develop the agenda for initial meetings.
The AVP, Development position varies across institutions, and CAOs should adapt this guide to their specific situation.
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