Head of Advancement

St. Andrew's Episcopal School, Ridgeland, MS; Ridgeland (MS); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Andrew's Episcopal School in Ridgeland, MS seeks a strategic leader to direct all advancement efforts, including annual giving, major gifts, and campaigns.

This twelve-month, full-time role reports to the Senior Leadership Team, oversees staff, and drives a culture of philanthropy through donor relations, stewardship, and community engagement.

The position requires tenacious relationship-building, budget management, and active involvement in school events and volunteer organizations.

Qualifications

• Ten years of advancement experience with proven fundraising leadership.
• Proficiency in Google Suite preferred.
• Experience with relational databases and Raiser's Edge is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee annual fundraising, major gifts, planned giving, endowment and capital campaigns.
• Execute a comprehensive stewardship plan to foster philanthropy.
• Nurture donor relations and advocate for donor intent across programs.
• Hire, train, supervise, and provide strategic direction for advancement staff.
• Develop and manage the advancement budget and participate in Senior Leadership Team.
• Attend events and engage with community and volunteer organizations.

Skills

Leadership

Donor relations

Strategic planning

Communication

Team management

Autonomy

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Relational databases

Google Workspace

Job description

Objective

To provide strategic leadership of the school’s fundraising efforts.

Core Responsibilities

• Oversee the school’s annual fundraising, major gifts program, planned giving, endowment giving, and capital campaigns.
• Execute a comprehensive stewardship plan to build the school’s culture of philanthropy.
• Nurture donor relations and advocate for donor intent in all fundraising.
• Steward collections from outstanding pledges.
• Serve as one of the principal liaisons between the school and its primary volunteer organizations, St. Andrew’s Parents’ Association and St. Andrew’s Booster Club.
• Engage donors about opportunities to support mission-appropriate financial aid and merit-based scholarship programs.
• Oversee special events related to advancement efforts.
• Attend and network through a variety of community and school-sponsored events to advance the school.
• Hire, train, supervise, evaluate, and provide strategic direction for the advancement staff.
• Develop and manage the advancement budget.
• Serve on the school’s Senior Leadership Team.
• Stay current on best advancement practices and strategies by taking an active role in professional activities and attending relevant professional meetings and conferences.

Core Competencies

• Deep appreciation and understanding of St. Andrew’s mission and the ability to articulate its values and vision internally and externally.
• Ability to think critically, problem solve, and communicate effectively in a collaborative environment.
• Ability to carry out duties and responsibilities confidentially and in an accurate and timely manner with a high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ownership, and minimal direction.
• Ability to cultivate strategic relationships and partnerships with individuals, organizations, and groups to advance St. Andrew’s.
• Represent the school in the larger community in a positive manner that reflects the values of the school.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain effective and professional relationships with all constituencies.
• Professional written and verbal communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to handle multiple, simultaneous, and complex projects.
• High degree of cultural competency and demonstrated success in working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.

This job operates in a professional school environment.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time, twelve-month position. Limited travel and occasional weekend and evening work will be required.

Qualifications

• At least ten years of experience in advancement, marketing, or related field with a proven track record of institutional and fundraising leadership.
• Proficiency in Google Suite preferred.
• Experience with relational databases required. Experience with Raiser’s Edge preferred.