Director of Advancement - Marian High School

NCEA Google Educator Group; Mishawaka (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Marian High School in Mishawaka, Indiana, seeks a strategic Director of Advancement to lead its philanthropic initiatives, alumni engagement, and major gifts. The role reports to the Principal and works with the Advisory Board to drive Marian’s Catholic mission and fundraising strategy.

The Director will oversee a small team, lead capital campaign planning, and collaborate with marketing to craft a compelling case for support that advances donor engagement and sustainable giving.

Qualifications

• Catholic faith with fundraising or advancement experience.
• 2-5 years experience, with 1-2 years in fundraising or alumni relations.
• Proven ability to cultivate donor relationships and run campaigns.
• Experience leading advancement professionals; capital campaigns a plus.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication and CRM familiarity.

Responsibilities

• Lead fundraising strategy including annual fund, campaigns, and endowment growth.
• Cultivate major gifts and steward donor relationships.
• Oversee alumni engagement and donor stewardship programs.
• Direct a team responsible for advancement services, events, and communications.
• Collaborate with Principal and Advisory Board on fundraising priorities.
• Use donor analytics to improve fundraising effectiveness.
• Manage the advancement office budget and operations.
• Articulate Marian's case for support with marketing partners.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relationships

Leadership

Communication

Alumni engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

CRM software

Job description

About Marian High School

Marian High School in Mishawaka, Indiana, is a faithful and faith-filled coeducational Catholic college-preparatory school under the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. Inspired by the witness of the Sisters of Saint Francis of Perpetual Adoration and guided by its patroness, Our Lady of Lourdes, Marian enrolls more than 800 students on a 72-acre campus. Its community lives out three words: Learn. Serve. Lead.

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

Questions? Contact Evan Wescott, Partner, Partners in Mission: [e-mail], 215.495.7941