Executive Director of Advancement – Bishop McLaughlin Catholic HS

Position Description: Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School has an opening for a full-time Executive Director of Advancement. This position is responsible for successfully leading, expanding, and implementing a comprehensive advancement program while planning and coordinating activities to enhance enrollment and become the school’s Alumni Relations and Special Events Coordinator, who will supervise the Directors of Communication, Enrollment, and Marketing. The Executive Director of Advancement will attract philanthropic support to provide sufficient resources and funding to ensure the continued growth to support and sustain the excellent educational and co-curricular programs of Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School. This position will report to the Principal.

The ideal candidate has advanced leadership experience, including the ability to motivate others (e.g., donors, alumni, staff, volunteers, and community leaders) in advancing the school’s mission through their meaningful contribution of gifts and talents, as well as a proven track record in soliciting and securing major gifts and building productive relationships with a variety of constituents. In addition, experience in advancement for educational institutions is preferred.

Responsibilities:

Works closely with other staff members and essential volunteers, assists marketing efforts and initiatives that attract and retain students in satisfactory numbers to support the school’s programs. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Promote understanding, acceptance, and support of the school’s mission, vision, core values, and objectives.
• Professional fundraising techniques to ensure support of the school’s revenue growth goals, especially in our school community, alumni fundraising, and Navy & Gold Gala.
• Prospect identification and research, cultivation, solicitation, gift processing, acknowledgments, and stewardship.
• Assist administrators, staff, Parents Group, and other school organizations in planning and carrying out annual giving and fundraising events.
• Conduct one-on-one and/or small group meetings with prospects and donors.
• Coordinate with the administration to meet goals outlined in the current strategic plan.
• Work closely with school committees to set and achieve goals and objectives.
• Expense management: create an annual departmental budget, and manage marketing expenses to plan and report on budget variances monthly.
• Parish and community outreach.
• Create content for “good news” stories featuring current students, faculty, and alumni. Post content across multiple outlets, including social media, weekly parish bulletins, website news blog, and media outlets (community newspapers).
• Guide the research, proposal, and follow-up strategy for outreach to foundations and corporations.
• Identify and cultivate prospects for transformational and leadership support through philanthropy and engagement.
• Create a coordinated communication plan, including print and digital tools, to advance the philanthropic message, motivate giving, and demonstrate gift impact.
• Ensure consistent messaging and branding in all print and digital donor communication.
• Establish a planned gift program through marketing and individualized promotion.
• Partner with finance and accounting staff to sustain efficient, transparent financial tracking and reporting processes.
• Develop clear processes and collaborate with all other departments within Bishop McLaughlin to create an understanding of and appreciation for the advancement function.
• Oversee the planning of special event activities, including event logistics and identifying and soliciting major sponsors.
• Develop and execute a robust plan for outreach to Bishop McLaughlin alumni, including a strategy for increasing philanthropic support by alumni.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or related field required.
• Experience in enrollment management, development, sales, marketing, and/or communication.
• Ability to appreciate and communicate a passion for Catholic education.
• Demonstrated leadership and effectiveness in developing and accomplishing organizational goals.
• Ability to build a team, effectively recruiting and managing volunteers.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding school matters.
• Superior communication skills, ability to conceptualize and execute strategic plans, ability to positively interact, confidently, and effectively with school staff, students, donors, trustees, school administration, the media, and alumni.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and basic graphic design programs (such as Publisher).
• Experience in a parochial or non-profit environment preferred.
• Evening/weekend work is occasionally required, as well as travel for prospect meetings.

Attributes:

• Desire to foster an environment of cohesiveness and collaboration.
• Ability to support and motivate a wide range of individuals – staff and volunteers – on all levels.
• Strong organizational skills, including goal setting, prioritization, and team management.
• Proactive ability to network and cultivate relationships.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills: persuasive, credible, and polished in verbal and written communications.
• Creative, independent, and strategic thinker.
• Self-starter with a proven ability to meet and complete multiple tasks with solid deadlines.
• A commitment to supporting the mission and Catholic values of Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School.