Saint Francis High School is in the midst of the school's largest comprehensive campaign in its history. The $100MM campaign, started in 2019, will allow the school to achieve its master plan of adding a $60MM Innovation Center, Welcome Center and Dining Commons, as well as continue to build on the strength of the Saint Francis Fund and increase the school's endowment for tuition assistance, academic support, student activities, spiritual engagement, and innovation. It's an exciting time to lead this significant advancement effort. The incoming Chief Advancement Officer will bring leadership and oversight to this effort, while at the same time, coordinate the efforts of the entire advancement team, including communications, fundraising, events and community building. Please watch this 1-minute video to hear about the impact of a Lancer education on our students.

Job Summary

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is responsible for creating and administering a comprehensive program of fundraising and constituent relations efforts to advance the mission of Saint Francis High School. The CAO will oversee all fundraising strategy and efforts, including the annual fund, capital campaigns, major gifts, planned giving, alumni relations, communications, grant writing, foundation support as well as broad engagement to support the school. This position reports to the President, is an integral member of a highly collaborative executive administrative leadership team and reports to the Board of Directors on advancement status and progress. The CAO also supervises and develops advancement and communications staff with a strong orientation to executing the strategic goals set by the Board.

Essential Job Requirements

• Provide the highest level of support to the President as a key fundraiser, serving as a co-strategist and partner in cultivating and soliciting gifts 
• Grow and foster the school's major and principal gifts portfolio
• Enhance short and long-term advancement goals, strategies, and objectives to achieve growth, sustainable participation and fundraising commitments
• Work closely with the Board of Directors and President to strategically cultivate and solicit campaign gifts 
• Work with the Campaign and Principal Gifts Director on all aspects of the comprehensive campaign
• Collaborate with the Major Gifts Office to further identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts from current prospects, donors, volunteers and board members
• Support the Director of Alumni in fostering alumni relations through reunions, class giving activities and events 
• Partner with the Community & Family Engagement Director to oversee a robust Lancer Family Connections program 
• Work with the Advancement Events Manager in the execution of successful donor engagement events
• Support the Director of Marketing and Communications on strategic initiatives to ensure messaging is consistent and compelling
• Partner with Admissions to integrate volunteerism and community support at the initiation stage of family outreach and engagement
• Enhance SFHS communities awareness and understanding of philanthropy to support the school's efforts now and into the future.  
• Cultivate strong working relationships with administrators, faculty and staff
• Proactively manage the advancement budgeting process, anticipating costs and prioritizing needs
• Establish and maintain best practices as it relates to policies, systems, and procedures
• Represent the school to its various constituencies
• Perform additional duties as requested by the President

Qualifications

• Bachelors and/or Master's Degree in applicable field or ample professional experience to support the needs of the position
• A minimum of eight plus years experience in the advancement/development field, preferably in an independent school environment or a comparable non-profit, mission driven organization
• Ability to strategically develop and execute fundraising projects independently with the cooperation of advancement team members
• Highly organized, capable of balancing and prioritizing concurrent projects and deadlines, while inspiring and motivating team members to deliver exceptional results
• Experience managing a team of diverse individuals and supervising functions such as events coordination, advancement data management and communications
• Superb strategic planning skills with attention to detail
• Excellent team player and interpersonal skills
• Experience with executive level interactions, meetings, and committees
• Awareness and ability to maintain high levels of confidentiality
• Outstanding and professional written and oral communication skills
• Experience with comprehensive and capital campaigns preferred
• Willingness to work as needed to accomplish set objectives which may include evenings and weekends
• Demonstrated proficiency with technology including Raiser's Edge/NXT, MS Office products, Google docs, and other marketing tools
• Demonstrated work ethic of integrity, honesty and compassion
• Deep commitment to equity, inclusion and diversity
• Demonstrated passion for the mission of Saint Francis High School
• Strong references that convey a track record of success in the fields of development, fundraising, or public relations

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to operate a keyboard and mouse
• Must be able to use a telephone head or handset
• Work requires visual acuity
• Must be able to focus on highly detailed tasks for long periods of time
• Able to stand for long periods of time
• The ability to lift 25 pounds

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Saint Francis High School demonstrates a commitment to the continued creation of a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Applications for this position will be accepted online only through Monday, August 22. During the application process, you will be required to upload your resume, cover letter and at least 3 professional references as well as answer questions to help us get to know you better. You must complete, sign and submit your application to be considered. We will reach out to all candidates who complete the application process no later than Monday, August 22 regarding next steps if applicable. Questions may be directed to Elisa Cauchi, HR Director, at elisacauchi@sfhs.com or hr@sfhs.com.