Chief Advancement Officer

Job Description

Chief Advancement Officer 

Mount Saint Joseph Academy;

Flourtown, PA 

Founded in 1858, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, a college preparatory school for grades 9 through 12, empowers young women to realize their fullest potential. Imbued with a spirit of unity and reconciliation, the charism of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Mount Saint Joseph Academy fosters excellence tempered by gentleness and compassion.

Enriched by the values of the Catholic Church, Mount Saint Joseph Academy (MSJA) offers academically rigorous programs, which challenge students to shape the future. In a student-centered, collaborative environment, Mount Saint Joseph Academy (The Mount) provides a holistic education with an emphasis on global responsibility.

Trusting in the wisdom echoed by the Constitution of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, the mission asserts, “On the education of women largely depends the future of society.”

Opportunity

Mount Saint Joseph Academy (MSJA) seeks an entrepreneurial, results driven dynamic leader to lead a best-in-class Advancement team for the annual fund efforts, drive other philanthropic initiatives, cultivate relationships with families, donors, and alumni, and implement strategic fundraising campaigns. The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) will provide intellectual leadership and strategic direction to school leadership, the campus community, the Board of Directors, alumnae, donors, and other stakeholders.  The CAO will take ownership for goals of +$2 million in annual giving and completion of a $20 million capital campaign. Principally, the CAO must strengthen the culture of philanthropy at MSJA.

In this newly created position, the CAO will be a member of the Senior Administrative Leadership team, will report directly to the President, and work closely with the Chief Financial/Chief Operating Officer (CFOO), and key Board leadership. The CAO will especially support the vision of the President, Sister Charlene Diorka and optimize her ability to cultivate and solicit major gifts.

Most significantly, the CAO will provide overall leadership to inspire a culture of philanthropy. This requires a very experienced and accomplished Development professional with subject matter expertise who is a strategic thinker, responsible for envisioning, planning, executing, and achieving fundraising results in a fast-paced environment.

Position Summary

The Chief Advancement Officer is responsible for two distinct but equally vitally important aspects of fundraising at the Mount: Annual Development, primarily to support tuition assistance and scholarships for our most deserving students; and Capital Campaigns to support the long-term funding needs for the independent viability of the school.

Supporting those dual objectives requires an inspired culture of philanthropy that the Chief Advancement Officer is expected to cultivate, aligned with the Mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute comprehensive advancement strategies to increase philanthropic support for the Mission of Mount Saint Joseph Academy.

• Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, alumni, parents, and other key stakeholders to secure major gifts and pledges.
• Lead the planning and implementation of capital campaign strategies, annual giving programs, and special fundraising events.
• Oversee all fundraising programs including major gifts, endowment funds contributions, annual and capital campaigns, EITC and planned giving.
• Implement contemporary thinking related to advancement events and the calendar of actives to optimize fundraising efforts.
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors and the school’s senior leaders to align fundraising goals with the school's strategic priorities.
• Lead the preparation of an annual Development Plan that includes specific goals and metrics for assessing success across all areas of advancement.
• Evaluate, build and manage the Advancement Team, providing leadership, guidance, and professional development opportunities to ensure the team's success.
• Provide oversight for the management of donor databases, prospect research and related information.
• Work in tandem with the communications and marketing team members to develop compelling messaging and materials that effectively communicate the impact of the school's funding activities.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of fundraising and communications efforts, tracking progress toward goals and making data-driven adjustments as needed.
• In conjunction with the CFOO, develop an annual fundraising budget that supports the advancement goals.
• Implement policies and controls to ensure the Advancement office is efficient and effective.
• Collaborate with other senior members of the Leadership Team including the Principal, Director of Admissions, Director of Marketing and Communications, Director of Mission and Inclusion and the Chief Financial/Operating Officer.
• Attend all Board of Director meetings and co-lead the Board Development Committee.
• Oversee and attend all advancement related activities, both on-campus of off-campus, during appropriate times that will include evenings and weekend hours.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in related subject matter preferred.

• Minimum 10 years of experience in advancement/ development.
• A demonstrated track record of securing major gifts.
• Experience leading a successful $10+ million capital campaign.
• Preferred experience in an all-girls Catholic college or high school.
• Desire to provide both strategic leadership and ‘roll up the sleeves’ work mentality for the success of the Mount.
• Excellent interpersonal and contemporary communication skills.
• Experience managing the responsibility for a third-party fundraising consultant.
• A commitment to talent development and establishing a work environment that prioritizes accomplishing goals while respecting a healthy work/life balance.
• Familiarity with leading advancement technology applications as well as proficiency in office automation systems.
• Commitment to the values and mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph.