Chief Advancement Officer

Loyola Academy; Wilmette (IL); On-site; USD 225,000 - 275,000; Full time

Job summary

Loyola Academy in Wilmette, IL seeks a Vice President for Institutional Advancement to lead fundraising, alumni and community engagement, and advancement communications. Reporting to the President, you will guide a high-performing team to strengthen donor relations, grow the Annual Fund and endowment, and position the school for long-term financial sustainability.

The role requires strategic vision, major gifts and capital campaign experience, and a deep commitment to Jesuit Catholic education.

Qualifications

• Seven to ten years of progressively responsible advancement and fundraising leadership experience, with demonstrated success in annual giving, major gifts, capital campaigns, planned giving, and donor stewardship.
• Experience leading high-performing teams, managing complex fundraising operations, and developing strategic advancement initiatives.
• Understanding of Jesuit, Catholic mission of Loyola Academy; experience in independent schools or other mission-driven educational organizations preferred.
• Proficiency with fundraising technology, donor databases (preferably Raiser's Edge), Microsoft Office/Google Suite, and digital fundraising and communications platforms.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and advancement best practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for fundraising, advancement, and engagement initiatives.
• Lead annual, major, planned, capital, and endowment giving programs; cultivate and steward high-level donors.
• Manage a personal portfolio of major gift prospects; oversee capital campaigns; partner with the President, Board of Trustees, volunteers, alumni, parents, and stakeholders.
• Oversee Advancement services: donor data integrity, gift administration, reporting, and analytics.
• Direct advancement communications, including brand management, public relations, publications, digital communications, website, email marketing, and content development.
• Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team; foster collaboration, innovation, and a culture of philanthropy.
• Occasional travel and work outside of normal business hours/evenings and events as required.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Major donor cultivation

Team leadership

Communication

Data-driven decision making

Fundraising best practices

Education

Bachelor's degree; advanced degree preferred

Tools

Raiser's Edge

MS Office / Google Workspace

Digital fundraising platforms

Job description

Loyola Academy in Wilmette, IL seeks a Vice President for Institutional Advancement to lead fundraising, alumni and community engagement, and advancement communications. Reporting to the President, you will guide a high-performing team to strengthen donor relations, grow the Annual Fund and endowment, and position the school for long-term financial sustainability.

The role requires strategic vision, major gifts and capital campaign experience, and a deep commitment to Jesuit Catholic education.