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Saint Viator High School, Arlington Heights, IL

Director of Advancement

Job Type: Full time

About Saint Viator High School

Saint Viator High School is a Catholic, college preparatory community committed to forming young people with character, purpose, and faith. As we continue to grow enrollment, strengthen our philanthropic culture, and advance a bold vision for the future, we are seeking a dynamic and mission aligned Director of Advancement to help lead our next chapter.

Description

Reporting directly to the Vice President of Advancement, the Director of Advancement plays a pivotal role in helping achieve the school's annual and long term philanthropic goals. This leader oversees the daily operations of a comprehensive advancement program, manages a talented team, and helps drive the strategies that fuel Saint Viator's mission annual giving, major gifts, capital campaign support, donor stewardship, alumni engagement, and signature fundraising events.

This is a role for a builder: someone energized by growth, inspired by mission, and eager to elevate a strong advancement program into its next phase of excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Management
  • Develop the advancement team by providing clear goals, metrics, and performance expectations.
  • Foster a collaborative, high trust, high accountability culture.
  • Oversee daily operations of the advancement office and ensure alignment across all revenue generating activities.
  • Direct reports will include:
    • Advancement Specialist (FT)
    • Major Gifts Officer (FT)
    • Events Specialist (PT)
    • Alumni Relations Specialists (PT)
    • Prospect Research and Campaign Support Consultant (PT)
• Fundraising & Campaign Strategy
  • Partner closely with the VP of Advancement on capital campaign strategy, execution, and donor recognition.
  • Help manage an assigned portfolio of donors and prospects, cultivating meaningful relationships that lead to increased engagement and support.
  • In consultation with the VP of Advancement, lead the Annual Giving program, including three annual appeals and the Day of Giving, ensuring compelling messaging and strong year over year growth.
  • Oversee planning, strategy, and execution of two signature fundraising events, ensuring both revenue and community engagement goals are met.
• Donor Relations & Stewardship
  • Assist with donor stewardship systems, including acknowledgements, donor walls, naming opportunities, and the annual impact report.
  • Ensure a consistent, mission centered donor experience that strengthens long term loyalty.
• Alumni & Community Engagement
  • Support and lead select alumni events, strengthening lifelong connection to Saint Viator.
  • Collaborate with internal partners to build a vibrant, inclusive alumni engagement strategy.
• Communications & Collaboration
  • Work closely with the VP of Advancement and VP of Brand & Marketing to develop a comprehensive annual communications plan with compelling calls to action.
  • Ensure advancement messaging is aligned, strategic, and reflective of the Viatorian mission.
• Operations, Planning & Innovation
  • Lead planning and strategy for the Institutional Advancement calendar in coordination with the school calendar.
  • Support budgeting, forecasting, and revenue tracking across all advancement revenue streams.
  • Explore the role of AI and emerging technologies to scale and modernize advancement operations.

Key Characteristics:

• Intentional, thoughtful, hard-working, analytical, communicative, adaptable, collaborative, entrepreneurial, and hands on. A leader who thrives in a mission driven environment and brings both strategic vision and operational excellence.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum 5 years of advancement experience preferably with identifiable growth
• Demonstrated proficiency in managing teams effectively offering constructive feedback and coaching while offering the team reasonable autonomy
• Proven ability to manage multiple events/projects simultaneously including processes to support all advancement activities
• Possess excellent communication skills including the ability to write and present to others
• Experience with Blackbaud and most notably Raiser's Edge
• Value Catholic education with a commitment to lifting up the Viatorian mission
• Team player with an ability to work collaboratively and positively with others.

Preferred

• Experience in a high school advancement operation.
• Experience working inside a capital campaign.
• Experience managing people and processes within philanthropy.

Salary Range: $85K to $100K - depending on experience.