Director of Advancement

St. Thomas Aquinas High School; Dover (NH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Dover, NH seeks a Director of Advancement to lead its comprehensive advancement program. The role covers annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, capital campaigns, alumni relations, donor stewardship, and special events.

You will collaborate closely with senior administration to align external relations with the school’s Catholic mission. The Director oversees strategy, donor communications, grant proposals, and reporting while working with Finance,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, or related field.
• 5+ years fundraising/advancement experience.
• Experience with major gifts, capital campaigns, and planned giving.
• Strong written and verbal communication, public speaking.
• Ability to work independently with minimal admin support.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising plan aligned with school goals.
• Identify and cultivate major gift prospects and donors.
• Lead capital campaign initiatives with strategy and materials.
• Oversee Annual Fund and donor stewardship programs.
• Plan and manage enhancement events and donor communications.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Major gifts

Planned giving

Campaign management

Donor stewardship

Donor database

Public speaking

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Blackbaud Raiser's Edge

Microsoft Office / Google Workspace

Job description

St. Thomas Aquinas High School St. Thomas Aquinas High School - Dover, New Hampshire Open in Google Maps

Director of Advancement

St. Thomas Aquinas High School St. Thomas Aquinas High School - Dover, New Hampshire Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5977929

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Oct 30, 2026 12:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Job Summary

Reporting to the President, the Director of Advancement is responsible for establishing, leading, and executing the school’s comprehensive advancement program. As a solo advancement professional, this role handles both strategic oversight and hands-on operational execution for annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, capital campaigns, alumni relations, donor stewardship, and special events. The Director works in close partnership with the President, Director of Operations, Director of Finance. Communications & Marketing Coordinator, and Director of Admissions to build a vibrant culture of philanthropy and ensure alignment across all external relations.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Fundraising & Campaign Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising plan aligned with the school’s strategic vision and goals.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects, foundations, corporate donors, and businesses.
• Lead capital campaign initiatives, providing strategy, materials, and administrative support to the President and Campaign Committee.
• Oversee the Annual Fund program, setting strategy, managing direct solicitations, and driving major event components.
• Build and expand a structured Planned Giving program to support long-term sustainability.

Donor Stewardship & Fund Management

• Manage the complete donor acknowledgment cycle, ensuring timely, accurate, and customized thank-you letters and leadership communications.
• Oversee donor stewardship initiatives, including customized videos, special communications, and recognition programs.
• Collaborate with the Director of Finance to ensure donor funds are recorded, managed, and expended strictly according to donor intent.
• Research and generate detailed annual impact reports for endowed funds, named scholarships, and awards for donors and the President.

Database Management, Research & Operations

• Maintain accurate donor databases, contact records, mailing lists, and giving histories.
• Conduct prospect research to identify potential new major donors, foundation grants, and corporate sponsorships.
• Prepare regular performance and analytical reports on fundraising campaigns for the President and Board of Trustees.
• Draft and submit grant proposals to regional and national foundations.

Event Planning & Execution

• Plan, manage, and execute all logistics for advancement events, including cultivation, recognition, stewardship, and major fundraising events.
• Manage event budgets, vendor contracts, venue arrangements, catering, entertainment, guest registration, seating assignments, and on-site staffing.

Qualifications

• Active commitment to supporting and enhancing the Catholic mission and culture of St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, non-profit management, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 5+ years of successful fundraising and advancement experience, preferably in independent or Catholic secondary/higher education.
• Demonstrated success in major gift solicitation, capital campaign support, and planned giving program management.
• Strong hands-on technical proficiency with advancement/donor databases such as Blackbaud Raiser's Edge, campaign technology, and Microsoft Office / Google Workspace suite.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; strong public speaker and persuasive writer.
• Self-motivated, hands-on, and detail-oriented, with proven project management skills necessary to operate independently without direct administrative support.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for donor meetings, alumni events, and school functions. Position Type: Full-time

Job Requirements

• At least 5 year(s) of relevant experience preferred.
• Master degree preferred.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Job Categories

Administration > Director/Coordinator/Manager

Contact Information

• Stephanie Bolduc , Manager of Administrative Services
• 197 Dover Point Road
• Dover, New Hampshire 03820
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]

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