Director of Advancement - Marian High School

Partners in Mission; Mishawaka (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Partners in Mission, LLC is seeking a Director of Advancement for Marian’s school in Mishawaka, Indiana. The role leads fundraising, alumni engagement, major gifts, donor stewardship, and an emerging capital campaign, reporting to the Principal and working with the Advisory Board.

The ideal candidate will guide a team responsible for advancement services, annual fund, community engagement and events, with CRM responsibility and strong Catholic mission alignment.

Qualifications

• Practicing Catholic with fundraising/advancement experience
• Experience leading advancement professionals
• Capital campaign experience a plus
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
• Strong leadership and communication and CRM experience

Responsibilities

• Lead fundraising, alumni engagement, major gifts, and donor stewardship.
• Oversee capital campaign strategy and annual fund efforts.
• Manage a team responsible for advancement services, alumni engagement, annual fund, events and major giving.
• Collaborate with Principal and Advisory Board on fundraising strategy and donor engagement.
• Utilize donor analytics and data to improve fundraising effectiveness and retention.

Job description

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting directly to the Principal, the Director of Advancement will serve as the strategic leader for Marian's philanthropic initiatives and community outreach. As a key member of the school's leadership team, the Director will oversee fundraising, alumni engagement, major-donor development and donor stewardship, supporting and advancing the school's Catholic educational mission and vision as well as the Marian Way.

The Director will lead a committed team that includes a development services specialist, a director of alumni affairs and a director of major giving. In partnership with the Principal and the Advisory Board, the Director will also provide leadership, strategy and implementation for the school's emerging capital campaign.

KEY AREAS OF IMPACT

• Mission-Driven Advancement Leadership: Support and advance Marian's Catholic educational mission, vision and the Marian Way.
• Capital Campaign & Fundraising Strategy: Develop and execute strategic fundraising initiatives, including the annual fund, capital campaigns, planned giving, endowment growth, grant writing and major gifts.
• Major Gifts & Donor Stewardship: Cultivate and steward relationships with alumni, parents, donors, corporations, foundations and community partners.
• Alumni Engagement: Build stronger relationships with Marian's graduates and create meaningful opportunities for alumni to reconnect and give back.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead and supervise a team of three to five people responsible for advancement services, alumni engagement, the annual fund, community engagement and events, and major giving.
• Executive & Board Collaboration: Work with the Principal and Advisory Board to shape fundraising strategy and drive donor engagement.
• Data, Systems & Operations: Use donor analytics and best practices to improve fundraising effectiveness and donor retention; manage the office budget.
• Vision & Storytelling: Articulate an ambitious case for support for Marian's future and collaborate with marketing and communications on messaging.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Practicing Catholic with successful experience in fundraising or institutional advancement, preferably within an educational or faith-based institution
• 2-5 years experience, with 1-2 years proven experience in fundraising, advancement, major gifts, or alumni relations
• Proven ability to build donor relationships, cultivate major gifts and run successful fundraising campaigns
• Experience leading advancement professionals; capital campaign experience is a plus
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
• Strong leadership and team-management skills, exceptional written and verbal communication skills, and experience with CRM operation and use

START DATE

January 2027