Chief Advancement Officer

St. Mary's Ryken High School; Leonardtown (MD); Sur place; USD 140 000 - 210 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

St. Mary’s Ryken is seeking a Chief Advancement Officer to lead all advancement initiatives and strengthen philanthropic support for the school’s mission. Reporting to the President, the CAO will drive campaigns, major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, alumni relations, and partnerships.

Ideal candidates are strategic thinkers and relationship builders who can translate the school’s mission into meaningful philanthropic investments and lasting community engagement.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to lead major fundraising initiatives and build strong donor relationships.
• Experience developing and guiding comprehensive capital campaigns and annual giving programs.
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate mission into philanthropic investments.

Responsabilités

• Lead a comprehensive capital campaign and develop strategy with the President and Board.
• Grow philanthropic support across annual giving, major gifts, endowed scholarships, and planned giving.
• Deepen engagement with alumni, parents, foundations, corporations, and the broader community.
• Align advancement priorities with the school’s strategic plan and needs.
• Tell the story of impact and steward donor relationships through effective communication.

Connaissances

Relationship building

Strategic leadership

Fundraising leadership

CRM dashboards

Outils

Veracross

Hatch

Donor Search

Description du poste

ABOUT

St. Mary’s Ryken invites an accomplished, relationship-driven advancement professional to join our leadership team as Chief Advancement Officer. This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on Catholic education by strengthening the philanthropic support, community partnerships, and alumni relationships that will sustain our mission for generations to come.

Rooted in the Catholic faith and the tradition of the Xaverian Brothers, St. Mary’s Ryken forms young men and women who are prepared for academic success, lives of service, and leadership grounded in faith and character.

As SMR looks toward its next chapter of growth and institutional advancement, we seek a Chief Advancement Officer who can facilitate translating the school’s mission into meaningful philanthropic investment and lasting community engagement.

Reporting directly to the President, the CAO will provide strategic leadership for all advancement initiatives, including a comprehensive capital campaign, major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, alumni relations, donor stewardship, and corporate and community partnerships.

The successful candidate will be both a strategic thinker and an active relationship builder—someone who understands that successful advancement begins with listening, earns trust through authentic engagement, and inspires generosity by connecting donors to a mission that matters.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead a comprehensive capital campaign. Partner with the President and Board of Directors to develop and execute campaign strategy, cultivate major donors, engage volunteer leaders, and secure philanthropic commitments for SMR’s future.
• Grow philanthropic support. Strengthen annual giving, major gifts, endowed scholarships, planned giving, and other fundraising initiatives that advance the school’s mission and financial sustainability.
• Build meaningful relationships. Deepen engagement with alumni, current and former parents, grandparents, foundations, corporations, and friends of the school.
• Partner with school leadership. Align advancement priorities with the school’s strategic plan, institutional needs, and long-term vision.
• Strengthen stewardship and communications. Tell the story of SMR’s impact and ensure donors understand how their generosity changes students’ lives.
• Data-driven outcomes. Experience with fundraising CRM’s (Veracross, Hatch, Donor Search) and using data dashboards and measurable outcomes.
• Lead and grow the Advancement team. Willingness to perform both high-level strategic work and day-to-day operational responsibilities in a collaborative, resource-conscious environment.

WHY ST. MARY'S RYKEN

This position offers the opportunity to help shape the future of a school community with a strong tradition, dedicated alumni, committed families, and a mission that extends well beyond the classroom.

The Chief Advancement Officer will work directly with the President and Board of Directors, engage a broad network of philanthropic partners, and help secure the resources needed to enhance student opportunities, strengthen academic programs, support faculty, provide scholarships, and invest in the campus.

For a professional who finds purpose in building relationships, inspiring generosity, and advancing an enduring mission, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference.