Director of advancement

Mount St. Mary Catholic High School in Oklahoma City is seeking a dedicated and experienced director of advancement to lead and drive the school's fundraising, donor engagement and campaign efforts. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in fundraising, donor relationship management, and campaign execution. The director will play a crucial role in advancing the school's mission by cultivating meaningful relationships, securing funding and fostering a culture of philanthropy within the school community. While this position will have an office at Mount St. Mary, applicants should anticipate significant time outside the office attending events and meeting with donors. This position reports directly to the school president. Send cover letter and resume to Brooke Basler, executive assistant, at bbasler@mountstmary.org. 
  Position Overview: Mount St. Mary High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is seeking a dedicated and experienced Director of Advancement to lead and drive the school's fundraising, donor engagement, and campaign efforts. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in fundraising, donor relationship management, and campaign execution. As the Director of Advancement, you will play a crucial role in advancing the school's mission by cultivating meaningful relationships, securing funding, and fostering a culture of philanthropy within the school community. While this position will have an office at Mount St. Mary, applicants should anticipate significant time outside the office attending events and meeting with donors. This position reports directly to the school President. 

Key Responsibilities:
●    Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies to achieve the school's financial goals and objectives.
●    Lead and manage all aspects of fundraising campaigns, including annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, capital campaigns, and special initiatives.
●    Collaborate with Mount St. Mary President and Advancement Staff to cultivate, steward, and engage a diverse donor base, including alumni, parents, community members, and corporate partners.
●    Build and maintain strong relationships with current and potential donors, utilizing effective communication and personalized engagement strategies.
●    Identify, research, and target prospective donors to expand the donor pool and enhance fundraising outcomes.
●    Collaborate with school leadership, faculty, and staff to integrate fundraising efforts into the school's overall strategic plan.
●    Develop and execute donor recognition and stewardship programs to acknowledge and celebrate contributions.
●    Collaborate with staff on the creation of compelling fundraising materials, including proposals, case statements, and campaign collateral.
●    Utilize data and analytics to measure the effectiveness of fundraising strategies and adjust tactics as needed.
●    Provide regular updates to the school administration, Board of Directors and Advancement Committee of the Board of Directors on fundraising progress, challenges, and opportunities.
●    Oversee the planning and execution of fundraising events and activities, coordinating with event committees and volunteers.
●    While most fundraising events occur within the normal school year, it is necessary to work during the summer to achieve the goals of the school and the advancement department. Summer hours on campus are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for much of June and July, however, the goals of the school and department shall supersede the hours of work in these months.
●    Manage and motivate a team of fundraising and advancement professionals, fostering a collaborative and goal-oriented work environment. Work collaboratively with the President, Director of Alumni and Special Events, and supervise the Advancement Operations Manager. 
●    Stay current with fundraising trends, best practices, and regulations to ensure compliance and maximize success.
●    Ideal candidates will demonstrate emotional intelligence, possess strong public speaking skills, exhibit exceptional organizational abilities, excel in active listening, and consistently demonstrate empathy for our stakeholders while displaying responsible stewardship for our resources.

Qualifications:
●    Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; master’s degree and CFRE preferred.
●    A minimum of 5 to 7 years of proven experience in fundraising, donor relations, and campaign management, preferably within an educational or nonprofit environment.
●    Demonstrated success in securing major gifts and managing fundraising campaigns from conception to completion.
●    Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to connect with diverse stakeholders and convey the school's mission and impact effectively.
●    Exceptional relationship-building abilities, coupled with a high level of emotional intelligence.
●    Proficiency in utilizing fundraising software, donor databases, public speaking, videoconferencing, Google applications and Microsoft Office suite.
●    Strategic thinker with analytical skills to evaluate fundraising data and make informed decisions.
●    Leadership experience, including managing and motivating teams.
●    Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required by fundraising events and activities.
●    Commitment to the mission and values of Mount St. Mary High School. Preference will be given to candidates who are practicing Catholics. 

Compensation: Base salary commensurate with experience, paired with a significant campaign milestone bonus structure, within CFRE standards. 

Health and retirement benefits of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City will be provided and will be discussed during the interview process. 

Application Process: To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience to Brooke Basler, Executive Assistant, at bbasler@mountstmary.org 

Preferred start date between December 1, 2023, and February 1, 2024.

Final offer subject to background checks.