Executive Director – Pius X Foundation

Pius X; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Pius X Foundation seeks an Executive Director to provide visionary leadership, advancing the mission through philanthropy, strategic partnerships, and organizational excellence. You will develop and execute fundraising strategies, lead the Foundation staff, and manage major donor relationships with the school leadership and Board of Directors.

The role includes overseeing annual giving, major gifts, endowment, and campaigns, while ensuring financial strength and accountable governance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.
• 5-7+ years of leadership in advancement, fundraising, or nonprofit management.
• Ability to build relationships with diverse donors and stakeholders.
• Strong financial management and strategic planning abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies for Pius X Foundation.
• Lead Foundation staff and manage donor, alumni and prospect engagement.
• Partner with school leadership and Board of Directors to advance mission.
• Oversee annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, campaigns and endowment activity.
• Manage donor pipelines, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Monitor budgets, reporting, and financial stewardship of the Foundation.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Nonprofit management

Donor relations

Strategic planning

Financial management

Communication

Catholic education

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in related field

Master’s Degree or CFRE designation

Job description

Reports to: Chief Administrative Officer and the Foundation’s Board of Directors
Date: August 2026
Salary Range: Based on experience

Job Summary

The Executive Director of the Pius X Foundation is responsible for providing visionary leadership that advances the mission of Pius X High School through philanthropy, strategic partnerships, and organizational excellence. The Executive Director develops and executes comprehensive fundraising strategies, leads the Foundation staff, serves as the primary relationship manager for principal and major donors, partners closely with school leadership and the Board of Directors, and ensures the long-term financial strength of the Foundation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic and Organizational Leadership

• Develop and execute the Foundation’s strategic plan in alignment with the mission and vision of Pius X High School.
• Provide leadership for all fundraising, donor, alumni and prospect engagement, marketing, stewardship, and advancement initiatives.
• Foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the school community.
• Partner with the Board Chair to maximize Board engagement and governance.
• Lead, manage, and hold accountable Foundation staff.
• Foster collaboration between the Foundation and school leadership.
• Build an organizational culture centered on faith, excellence, accountability, and service.
• Responsible for a comprehensive advancement program that includes annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, alumni relations, donor stewardship, communications, endowment management, special events, and campaigns in support of Pius X High School.
• Personally manage a portfolio of principal and major gift prospects.
• Lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for gifts across annual, major, planned, endowment, and capital initiatives, including donor pipeline initiatives and portfolio optimization.
• Develop multi-year fundraising strategies that grow unrestricted and restricted philanthropic support.
• Oversee campaign planning, execution, stewardship and impact, and financial reporting.
• Develop and oversee the Foundation’s annual operating budget.
• Ensure major initiatives remain on track and short- and long-term goals are achieved.
• Regularly monitor, direct, and report on results to ensure timely progress, transparency, and accountability.
• Partner with finance staff regarding investments, endowment management, and gift acceptance.

Qualifications

The Executive Director must be a practicing Catholic in full communion with the Catholic Church who embraces and advances the mission of Catholic education. The Executive Director is expected to serve as a visible witness of the faith, actively participate in parish life, and build relationships throughout the Diocese of Lincoln while promoting the mission and values of Pius X High School.

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.
• 5-7+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in advancement, fundraising, nonprofit management, higher education, Catholic schools, philanthropy, or a related field, including demonstrated success leading teams and securing transformational gifts.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with a wide variety of internal colleagues, external constituents, and donors.
• Ability to work autonomously, requiring little guidance and direction.
• High attention to detail, ability to prioritize tasks and maintain confidentiality.
• Strong financial management skills.
• Demonstrated written and oral communication and leadership skills, including influencing others and managing conflicts.

Preferred

• Master’s Degree or CFRE designation.
• Capital campaign leadership experience.
• Planned giving experience.

Typical Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

• This is a year-round position with occasional evening and weekend responsibilities for events and donor engagement activities.
• Ability to travel locally and occasionally nationally for meetings, conferences, and advancement-related initiatives.
• Ability to perform standard office-related functions including extended computer use and communication responsibilities.

About Pius X

Pius X currently has about 1,100 students (co-ed) enrolled in our 9-12 Catholic high school. While applicants do not need to be Catholic, we are seeking teachers who have a relationship with Jesus Christ and are willing to share that relationship with students. We are committed to academic excellence while simultaneously embracing our Catholic identity!

Reports to: Chief Administrative Officer and the Foundation’s Board of Directors Date: August 2026 Salary Range: Based on experience

Pius X great appreciates substitute teachers, including long-term subs.