Position Overview

The Director of Institutional Advancement serves as the primary strategic architect of a comprehensive development program that will advance the mission and goals of Rochester Catholic Schools’. The Director of Institutional Advancement will design and implement a comprehensive, results-oriented development plan that includes annual fundraising, major and planned giving, campaigns, endowment, alumni relations and special events. The Director will take a lead role in establishing a vision for fundraising—including goals, strategies, benchmarks, and timetables—in order to identify new donors and deepen relationships with alumni, families, corporate, and foundation leaders. The Director of Institutional Advancement reports directly to the President. The Director will work closely with shared services including marketing, communications, and business operations as well as serve on the Rochester Catholic School’s leadership team.

Responsibilities

Institutional Advancement Program

• In collaboration with the President and Lourdes Foundation, develops annual and long range goals and objectives for development based on the RCS strategic plan
• Oversee the creation of marketing materials to keep donors informed of needs, development programs and activities, and opportunities to give
• Prepare the annual development plan for the Board of Trustees and determine resources necessary to execute
• Manage and evaluate development team members
• Serve as the liaison between Lourdes Foundation Board and RCS

Donor Relationships

• Identify, cultivate and solicit current and potential donors
• Articulate the mission, vision, and strategic plan to potential donors
• This includes initiating appointment requests through phone calls and contact letters, scheduling appointments and making the ask.
• Identify, cultivate and secure legacy giving donors through wills, life insurance, trusts and retirement plan designations
• Prepare individual communication, cultivation, and solicitation plans for each major gift donor/prospect to include gratitude phone calls, personal notes, invitations to special events, timing and approach of next ask
• Oversee database maintenance and timely acknowledgement of gifts or donations through thank you letters and yearly contribution reports
• Cultivate recurring giving through direct debit processes
• Plan and implement advancement events and promote their goals

Qualifications and Skills

• An authentic desire to elevate Rochester Catholic Schools and to embrace/advance their mission
• Familiarity with the mission and values of the Catholic Church and Catholic education; Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, or other applicable field
• Experience in fundraising, advancement, development, marketing, or related field
• Ability to learn and navigate donor tracking software
• Outstanding communication skills, both oral and written, and superior interpersonal skills with a natural way of connecting with various constituents and audiences
• Experience in donor prospecting, in cultivating and developing relationships with key donors, and in achieving success with major gifts
• Ability to manage/oversee special events with an eye towards helping donors to connect at a deeper level with the schools, staff and especially the students
• Skilled problem-solver and critical, strategic thinker who will meet challenges with creative and effective solutions
• A mature understanding of the critical role that development plays in fulfilling RCS’s mission, and a relentless commitment to achieving advancement goals
• Political savvy to appreciate and navigate a complex, challenging environment, using discretion, diplomacy, enthusiasm, and hospitality to build bridges and create connections among all partners who would support RCS
• Familiarity with IRS regulations as they relate to philanthropic giving and industry accounting and reporting standards