The Opportunity
Our ultimate goal is that Spirit of America's new model is understood and supported as the way America operates in the world. Spirit of America seeks a Chief Growth Officer (CGO) to play an essential role in achieving this goal. Based in Arlington, VA, the CGO will be a collaborative, low ego A player who will lead a step change in public awareness and philanthropic support for SOA's mission. This leader will integrate Development, Marketing, and Communications under one executive, build Spirit of America into a nationally-recognized brand, and translate a powerful but unfamiliar value proposition into a compelling reasons to engage, give, and remain involved.
We are looking for a creative, entrepreneurial leader - someone who thinks in unconventional ways about how to dramatically expand an organization's reach and support base. The right candidate will bring original ideas for growing awareness and philanthropic investment in SOA at a scale and speed that typical approaches cannot achieve.
The CGO will partner closely with the founder and CEO, who remains a leading voice for SOA and an active partner in growing SOA's support. The CGO will lead and build the development, marketing, and communications teams and processes that support this partnership and accelerate growth.
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Leads: Marketing, Communications, and Development
Key Responsibilities
Strategy for Growing Awareness and Support
- Develop and execute a strategy to dramatically expand public awareness of Spirit of America and grow philanthropic support, with annual goals, clear assumptions, investment priorities, and measurable milestones agreed with the CEO.
- Bring creative, entrepreneurial thinking to identify opportunities to produce outsized results.
- Test bold ideas, expand those that demonstrate results, and redirect resources when performance falls short. Make investment decisions based on mission contribution, expected return, and organizational capacity.
- Partner closely with Chief International Operations to understand SOA's program portfolio, identify initiatives with the greatest potential for philanthropic investment and public engagement, and ensure fundraising and communications strategies accurately reflect program priorities, capabilities and results.
Fundraising & Donor Relationships
- Lead an integrated fundraising program spanning major and principal gifts, foundations, corporate philanthropy, and individual grassroots giving.
- Equip the CEO and Board to contribute effectively to fundraising through prospect strategies, preparation, and defined roles. Build institutional relationships that sustain growth over time.
- Grow Spirit of America's fundraising and development team of philanthropic advisors, support staff, and data specialists.
Brand, Marketing & Communications
- Lead SOA's brand positioning and narrative, making its mission and distinctive approach compelling to donors, partners, and the public.
- Integrate brand building, digital marketing, content, earned media, events, and donor communications into a coherent strategy that increases awareness and generates qualified prospects and philanthropic support.
- Oversee communications and coordinate sensitive messaging with the CEO and Legal to protect SOA's credibility and nonpartisan identity.
Operations, Team & Stewardship
- Build and lead a coordinated Development, Marketing, and Communications team with strong functional leaders, clear responsibilities, and shared goals.
- Establish shared processes and systems connecting marketing activity with donor development. Strengthen CRM use, data quality, prospect tracking, and reporting.
- Develop an integrated budget and revenue forecast with the CFO. Monitor pipeline health, donor retention, acquisition costs, and return investment. Report results and risks to the CEO and Board.
Required Qualifications
- At least ten (10) years of substantial private-sector experience, including senior leadership in growth, marketing, revenue, or business development at a scaling organization.
- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
- A demonstrated record of creating significant, sustained revenue growth - with the ability to explain the starting point, results, strategies, and personal contribution.
- A creative, entrepreneurial mindset with a track record of developing original approaches that produced outsized or unexpected results.
- Meaningful nonprofit experience through executive leadership, Board service, or substantial fundraising involvement.
- Experience integrating marketing with fundraising or sales, including translating brand awareness and audience engagement into measurable revenue outcomes.
- Experience cultivating and soliciting major philanthropic commitments, or compelling evidence of the ability to translate senior relationship and complex sales experience into major gift fundraising.
- Financial and analytical fluency, including budgets, revenue forecasting, CRM systems, and performance measurement.
- Strong interest in national security, foreign policy, and public service, with the ability to engage credibly at the highest levels of government, philanthropy, and business.
Leadership Attributes
The successful candidate will combine creativity with disciplined execution. They will be entrepreneurial and imaginative - always looking for opportunities for outsized impact. As an executive leader, they will contribute to Spirit of America's growth and culture beyond their functional contributions. They will be a humble, collaborative leader who treats people equally well no matter who they are. They will earn trust through candid communication, respect for colleagues' expertise, and consistent follow-through. They will bring a genuine commitment to SOA's mission. It is a unique opportunity for a leader who can work as a partner in a team that is driven to contribute to America and the free world.
Expected Outcomes
The Chief Growth Officer will be expected to deliver measurable progress in expanding Spirit of America's visibility, support base, and philanthropic revenue. Success in this role will be reflected in the following outcomes:
A Clear and Executable Growth Strategy
Develop and implement a cohesive strategy to significantly expand public awareness and philanthropic support for Spirit of America, with defined priorities, milestones, performance measures, and investment recommendations.
Increased Philanthropic Revenue and Stronger Pipeline
Generate meaningful growth in philanthropic support across major gifts, principal gifts, foundations, corporate philanthropy, and grassroots giving. Build and maintain a healthy pipeline of prospective donors and partners, with clear visibility into progress, conversion, and risk.
Stronger National Brand Awareness
Elevate Spirit of America's profile and reputation as a nationally recognized organization with a distinctive and compelling mission. Sharpen and strengthen SOA's brand, positioning, and messaging so that its value proposition is better understood by donors, partners, and the public.
Integrated Development, Marketing, and Communications Functions
Successfully integrate Development, Marketing, and Communications into a coordinated growth function with shared goals, aligned priorities, clear accountability, and stronger collaboration across teams.
More Effective CEO and Board Engagement in Growth
Equip the CEO and Board to play a more strategic and effective role in fundraising, relationship development, and external engagement through strong preparation, prospect strategies, and clearly defined roles.
Improved Systems, Data, and Performance Management
Strengthen the systems and processes that support growth, including CRM discipline, prospect tracking, donor segmentation, campaign measurement, pipeline reporting, and revenue forecasting. Use data to evaluate performance, guide investment decisions, and improve return on effort and investment.
A Scalable Growth Model
Build a scalable model for long-term growth in awareness, engagement, and philanthropic investment.
Work Location
This position is based at Spirit of America's headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. This is an onsite leadership role, and the selected candidate is expected to work from the office five (5) days per week, except when traveling on behalf of the organization.
Compensation:
The anticipated base salary range for this position is $300,000.00-$400,000.00 Final salary will be determined based on the selected candidate's experience, qualifications, leadership capabilities, and overall fit for the role. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, and 403(b) contribution match to 4%.
