St. Mark’s School, Chief Advancement Officer

DEERFIELD ASSOCIATES has been retained by St. Mark’s School, located in Southborough, Massachusetts, to conduct a national search for a Chief Advancement Officer. 

Reporting to the Head of School and serving as a member of the senior administrative team, the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is responsible for advancing the school’s mission and strategic priorities through philanthropy, storytelling, and authentic relationship-building. The CAO leads a talented advancement team encompassing development, alumni, parent, and trustee engagement, while partnering across departments to ensure an integrated approach to communications and marketing that strengthens the school’s reputation and reach. By inspiring generosity and connection within the broader community, the CAO supports the school’s long-term financial sustainability and enhances its capacity to prepare students for their futures. This opportunity is available immediately and will be filled following a national search and the candidate of choice being selected.    

St. Mark’s School is a coeducational, Episcopal, preparatory school, situated on 210 acres in Southborough, Massachusetts, 25 miles from Boston. Founded in 1865 by Joseph Burnett, St. Mark’s is one of the oldest private boarding schools in New England and is a member of the Independent School League in competitive athletics. The school’s 65 teachers lead 375 boarding and day students through a rigorous curriculum and a full program of co-curricular activities.

Class size averages 12, with a student-faculty ratio of 6:1. Each department offers honors and advanced courses. Dr. Ivory D. Hills was appointed in 2024 as the new head of school. To learn more, please visit www.stmarksschool.org.

A full search description of the duties, responsibilities, skill sets and academic credentials required may be viewed at: https://deerfieldassociates.com/st-marks-school-chief-advancement-officer/

The target hiring salary range for this position is $275k - $300k, with the final salary determined based on the candidate’s experience, skills, and qualifications.  

The Chief Advancement Officer position at St. Mark’s School offers an exciting and supportive work environment, a competitive salary and benefit package which includes medical and dental plans, a pension plan, tuition remission, and four weeks of paid vacation. Campus housing would be available if the candidate of choice does Administrator on Duty (AoD) rotation. 

St. Mark's School provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability or genetics, and any other characteristic or status protected by law. For the candidate of choice, a thorough background check including a criminal background check is required as a condition of employment.

To explore this career opportunity on a confidential basis, please send your resume, a letter of interest articulating your interest, skill sets and work experiences for this opportunity, and a list of five (5) references (which will only be contacted if mutual interest is determined) to: Doug Cooney, Executive Search Consultant, DEERFIELD ASSOCIATES Executive Search, Inc. 572 Washington Street, Suite 15, Wellesley, MA 02482 Telephone: 781-237-2800. Email: jobs@deerfieldassociates.com

Opportunity Statement

St. Mark's School