Position Summary:
The advancement function at Nativity Jesuit Academy encompasses traditional resource development as well as other mission-critical functions and processes necessary to effectively compete for philanthropic support and volunteer leadership. The Advancement Director seeks to forge stronger partnerships and deeper relationships between the institution and all of its stakeholders—students, faculty, alumni, parents, community partners, media, parishes, foundations, business partners, and friends. The focus of all activities must be consistent with the Mission and Vision of the school.
Effective development processes and activities establish market awareness of the school’s competitive strengths and identity and create broad and deep relationships leading to increased philanthropic funding and increased strategic partnering. The outcome will secure the long-term health of the institution and provide increased annual and capital funding. These crucial alternative resources buffer the school’s reliance on student tuition and fee increases to cover increasing costs of operations and program enhancements.
The Director, in collaboration with the President, assumes primary responsibility for the overall direction and leadership of the Advancement functions. The Director serves as a member of the school’s Advancement Committee and is encouraged to belong to appropriate professional and community organizations.
Position Responsibilities:
- Responsible to the President for the overall direction of advancement at Nativity Jesuit Academy, including all annual fund initiatives, major gifts, fundraising events, grant-writing, planned giving and database management.
- Serve as a member of the institution’s senior leadership team.
- Supervise the Assistant Director of Advancement and Advancement Office Coordinator to develop a strong team spirit and a willingness to work together on complex projects.
- Becomes involved in the community and understands the value of building strategic community and business partnerships that can be leveraged for the benefit of the school.
- Oversee the creation, regular updating, and execution of the Advancement Department’s strategic plan.
- Works collaboratively with all support groups and other related groups and organizations within the school.
- Advise and support the President in maintaining a portfolio of leadership level major gift donors.
- Actively lead, sets agendas, and support the activities of the board Advancement Committee.
- Oversee and develop Nativity’s marketing and communications, including internal and external reports, publications, communication vehicles, website and social media.
- Create and manage the departmental budget, working closely with the school’s Director of Finance in tracking departmental revenues and expenses.
- Develop and maintain a portfolio of individual major gift donors, including individual cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Develop and maintain the grant proposal process, including cultivation, solicitation, reporting and stewardship.
- Persuasively communicate the school’s mission and needs to potential funders.
- Plan and execute special campaigns specific to capital and endowment needs.
- Collaborate with staff to identify needs and synthesize program information for external stakeholders.
- Prepare reports for the Board of Trustees to evaluate the effectiveness of the advancement department.
- Track and support board member’s advancement commitments.
- Handles other responsibilities and tasks as requested.
Qualifications
Required Competencies and Attributes:
- Personal commitment to the mission of Nativity Jesuit Academy and to Catholic education.
- Self-motivated, strong interpersonal skills, personal integrity and maturity.
- Action-oriented with a sense of urgency in implementing departmental strategies.
- Three to five years of progressive management experience and professional experience with proven effectiveness in the areas of communications, marketing, public relations, fundraising or sales.
- Effectiveness in dealing with people in difficult/challenging situations.
- Effective leadership and communication skills—speaking, listening and processing, writing.
- Strategic orientation with a vision for the future.
- Ability to work as a member of a team and to lead by example.
- Ability to create strategic departmental plans, with clear objectives, goals, tactics and benchmarks and to coordinate complex projects involving many stakeholders and deadlines.
- Creative and forward thinking, with an ability to successfully implement new ideas.
- Ability to analyze and prioritize time and resources under direct control and supervision.
Comfort in meeting with and speaking with a variety of people in a variety of professional and social situations.
Position Qualifications/Characteristics:
- Bachelor’s degree required
- At least two years of experience in fundraising, marketing, communications or event management
- Ability to speak Spanish would be an asset
- Strong track record as a project manager and an implementer
- Strong writing/editing and verbal communication skills
- Excellent organizational abilities and attention to detail
- Demonstrated ability in drafting, editing and proofreading documents with advanced proficiency in Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Deadline-driven and goal-oriented
- Self-starter and able to work independently
- Energetic, respectful, flexible, collaborative and proactive with the ability to work with others within the department and the school
- Commitment to the mission, goals and objectives of the school
Optimistic and positive attitude