Vice President of Institutional Advancement

Association of Fundraising Professionals; Wilmette (IL); On-site; USD 230,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Loyola Academy in Wilmette seeks a dynamic Vice President for Institutional Advancement to lead fundraising, donor relations, and engagement initiatives. You will partner with school leadership, trustees, and volunteers to advance the school’s mission and financial sustainability.

The role oversees advancement communications, analytics, and events, while guiding a high-performing team to grow donor support and expand the endowment. Occasional travel and after-hours work are required.

Qualifications

• Seven to ten years of progressively responsible advancement and fundraising leadership experience.
• Experience leading high-performing teams and managing complex fundraising operations.
• Understanding of Jesuit, Catholic mission of Loyola Academy.
• Proficiency with fundraising technology and donor databases (preferably Raiser's Edge).
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for all fundraising and engagement initiatives.
• Lead annual, major, planned, capital, and endowment giving programs.
• Cultivate and steward high-level donors, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Manage capital campaigns and partnerships with leadership, trustees, and volunteers.
• Oversee advancement services, donor data integrity, gift administration, reporting, and analytics.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Fundraising strategy

Major gifts

Capital campaigns

Donor stewardship

Team leadership

Data analytics

Fundraising technology

Raiser’s Edge

MS Office/Google Suite

Digital fundraising

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Microsoft Office/Google Suite

Job description

Department: Advancement

Reports To: President

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employment Status: Full-Time, 12 Months, Institutional Position

Compensation: $250,000+ DOE

Position Summary: The Vice President for Institutional Advancement is the chief fundraising and advancement leader responsible for advancing the school's strategic vision through philanthropy, alumni and community engagement, advancement communications, and relationship building. Reporting to the President, this role leads a high-performing advancement team to strengthen fundraising, expand the donor base, grow the Annual Fund and endowment, and build long-term financial sustainability.

The Vice President develops and executes comprehensive fundraising strategies; cultivates and solicits major donors, foundations, and corporate partners; and partners closely with school leadership, trustees, faculty, alumni, parents, and other stakeholders to enhance the school's reputation and mission. The position also oversees advancement communications, marketing, public relations, digital engagement, and events to strengthen constituent engagement and institutional visibility.

Direct Reports include Major Gift Officers, the Director of Annual Giving, the Director of Philanthropic Events, and the Director of Advancement Services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• The Vice President for Institutional Advancement provides strategic leadership for all fundraising, advancement, advancement communications, and constituent engagement initiatives, with responsibility for developing and executing comprehensive philanthropic strategies that support the school's mission and long-term financial sustainability.

• Key responsibilities include leading annual, major, planned, capital, and endowment giving programs; cultivating and stewarding high-level donors, foundations, and corporate partners; managing a personal portfolio of major gift prospects; managing capital campaigns, and partnering closely with the President, Board of Trustees, volunteers, alumni, parents, and other stakeholders to strengthen philanthropic support and engagement.

• The Vice President oversees the Advancement services team, providing leadership, mentoring, performance management, budget oversight, and operational excellence. The role is responsible for advancement services, donor data integrity, gift administration, reporting, and the effective use of analytics to drive fundraising performance.

• In addition, the position directs the school's advancement communications, including brand management, public relations, publications, digital communications, advancement website, email marketing, and content development to enhance the school's visibility, reputation, and constituent engagement.

• The Vice President also serves as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, fostering collaboration across the institution, championing innovation and a culture of philanthropy, strengthening alumni and parent engagement, supporting volunteer leadership, and ensuring the advancement program reflects best practices while positioning the school for continued growth and success.

• This position requires occasional travel and work outside of normal business hours/evenings and events as required.

Qualifications:

Required Education: Bachelor’s degree; advanced degree preferred

• Seven to ten years of progressively responsible advancement and fundraising leadership experience, with demonstrated success in annual giving, major gifts, capital campaigns, planned giving, and donor stewardship.

• Experience leading high-performing teams, managing complex fundraising operations, and developing strategic advancement initiatives.

• Understanding of and commitment to the Jesuit, Catholic mission of Loyola Academy; experience in independent schools or other mission-driven educational organizations preferred.

• Proficiency with fundraising technology, donor databases (preferably Raiser’s Edge), Microsoft Office/Google Suite, and digital fundraising and communications platforms.

• Commitment to ongoing professional development and advancement best practices.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strategic leadership with the ability to develop and execute comprehensive fundraising and engagement strategies that support institutional priorities.

• Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors while building strong relationships with trustees, alumni, parents, volunteers, foundations, corporate partners, and other stakeholders.

• Exceptional leadership, interpersonal, and collaboration skills with the ability to inspire, mentor, and develop high-performing teams.

• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and active listening skills, with the ability to communicate a compelling case for philanthropic support.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills, including the ability to use data and fundraising analytics to drive decision-making and results.

• Knowledge of current fundraising best practices, digital communications, social media, and constituent engagement strategies.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and adapt to changing organizational needs.

• Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, emotional intelligence, and a collaborative leadership style, with the ability to build trust, foster innovation, and effectively represent the school within the community.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position.