About Saint Viator High School
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
Industry
Religious organizations
Company size
51 - 200 Employees
Headquarters location
Arlington Heights, IL, US
Year founded
1961
$85K - $100K/yr
Full-time
Posted 6 days ago
Job description
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
Key Characteristics:
Requirements
Preferred
Salary Range: $85K to $100K - depending on experience.
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.
saintviator.com
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Frequently asked questions
Q: What skills or qualities help someone succeed as a Director of Philanthropy?
A: To succeed as a Director of Philanthropy, key technical skills include expertise in fundraising strategies, donor relations management, and grant writing, as well as proficiency in donor database management software and financial analysis tools. Essential soft skills include strong communication and interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to build and maintain relationships with donors, stakeholders, and team members, as well as strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities. These strengths enable Directors of Philanthropy to effectively cultivate and steward donor relationships, develop and implement successful fundraising campaigns, and drive organizational growth and impact.
Q: What is the career path for a Director of Philanthropy?
A: A Director of Philanthropy typically follows a career progression from entry-level roles such as Development Associate or Fundraising Coordinator, to mid-level positions like Senior Development Officer or Philanthropy Manager, and ultimately to senior roles like Director of Philanthropy or Chief Development Officer. Throughout their career, they develop key skills in strategic planning, donor relations, grant writing, and team leadership, with opportunities for professional growth through training programs, industry networking, and mentorship. Long-term, a Director of Philanthropy may pursue executive leadership roles in non-profit management, or transition into related fields such as corporate social responsibility or philanthropic consulting.
