Nativity School of Worcester
Vice President of Advancement
Nativity School of Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, us, 01609
Summary of Position:
The Vice President of Advancement leads and manages Nativity School of Worcesters advancement program, driving the schools fundraising and external relations efforts. Reporting directly to the President and serving on the Schools Executive Team, the Vice President is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive advancement strategy to ensure the schools financial sustainability and growth. This role involves leading a team of advancement professionals, cultivating and stewarding major donors, securing significant philanthropic support, growing strategic partnerships, and serving as a key ambassador for the schools mission and vision. The Vice President will build on the Schools recent fundraising success as it concludes a $20M campaign and strives to further ensure long-term financial sustainability and expand the Schools impact.
Primary Responsibilities:
Strategic Fundraising Leadership and Team Management (25%)
Develop and implement a multi-year advancement strategy to meet or exceed annual fundraising goals, including annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, and capital campaigns.
Oversee the creation and execution of innovative fundraising campaigns and initiatives to diversify revenue streams to raise over $3M in annual funding in addition to raising gifts and pledges that support scholarships, the endowment, and special projects.
Supervise and mentor the Grants and Communications Officer and Leadership Giving Officer, fostering a high-performing team. Provide coaching on donor cultivation and stewardship, grant writing, and communication efforts, including annual reports, newsletters, website content, and social media strategies.
Ensure individual and team projects have clear, measurable goals and that deadlines and objectives are met.
Grow and foster a culture of philanthropy among Nativity Worcester staff, Trustees, volunteers, and donors.
Oversee the development and management of advancement budgets, metrics, and reporting systems. Ensure accurate donor data management and compliance with best practices in fundraising operations.
Donor Cultivation, Solicitation, and Stewardship (60%) Manage a portfolio of 75100 major donors and prospects, and conduct 10+ personal donor meetings per month, building strong relationships with individuals, corporations, foundations, and other stakeholders. Identify, cultivate, and solicit donors and prospects with the capacity to give five- to seven- gifts through one-time donations or multi-year pledges. Develop and implement customized cultivation and solicitation plans for each prospect based on interests, giving history, and school priorities. Support annual appeal efforts by contacting donors by phone and email to ask for donations and upgrade donors giving levels or convert annual donors into donors making multi-year pledges. Maintain accurate and timely records of all donor interactions in DonorPerfect. Partner with the President, whose advancement role focuses on engaging top donors, to identify new philanthropic opportunities and cultivate major supporters. Support the President, staff members, Board of Trustees, and volunteers by preparing them for donor meetings, attending key engagements, and representing the school at community events. Oversee donor and prospect research to build the Schools major donor pipeline. Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with corporations, foundations, and community organizations to enhance philanthropic support and elevate the schools visibility.
Donor Engagement and Event Planning (15%) Plan and oversee multiple fundraising events annually, ranging from small donor gatherings to large-scale galas, ensuring alignment with the schools mission and fundraising objectives. Ensure the successful cultivation and solicitation of corporate and other event sponsors. Develop new strategies to attract prospects to visit the school and engage in the schools mission and work. Oversee the engagement of the Boards Advancement Committee, Campaign Committee, Trustee Associates, and other leadership volunteers. Serve as a key spokesperson for Nativity Worcester, articulating its mission, values, and impact to external audiences. Attend community and business events in Worcester to grow the viability of the school, engage supporters, and enhance outreach efforts.
Additional Responsibilities: Advise the President and Executive Team on strategic initiatives and long-term planning related to advancement and other school priorities. Support the President with special projects and assume designated presidential duties in their absence as needed. As a senior leader at the school, model professional and appropriate behavior that positively impacts and influences staff and students. Travel as needed to meet with donors, attend community events, or represent the school at advancement-related functions. Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by the President. Participate in school-wide events, professional development days and orientations. Attend daily morning assemblies (8:00 am) and faculty/staff retreats (two times per year). This is a full-time, exempt salaried position; as such, occasional work outside and in addition to regular hours is expected to meet donor engagement and school needs. The role requires in-person presence five days a week, with some scheduling flexibility available in June and August. Local travel for donor meetings is also required.
Basic Qualifications: Bachelors degree required and CFRE certification preferred. 7+ years of progressive experience in fundraising. Experience leading teams and a successful advancement program is preferred. Demonstrated success in securing major gifts of at least $10,000, ideally with experience closing gifts of $100,000 or more. Strong leadership and team management skills, with experience mentoring staff and collaborating with senior leadership and boards. Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders. Proficiency in donor management systems (e.g., DonorPerfect) and fundraising analytics. Commitment to Nativity School of Worcesters mission and values, including a dedication to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism. Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, and travel as needed.
Additional Qualifications and Skills Highly organized and detail-oriented. Strong interpersonal and communication skills Professional, proactive, collaborative, and results-oriented. Ability to adapt to changing priorities and take initiative. Even-tempered, poised, and confident in a wide variety of situations. Courteous, flexible under pressure, and able to work independently. Demonstrated ability to evaluate problems, exercise sound judgment, and maintain confidentiality. Maintains a professional, caring, and conscientious demeanor at all times.
TO APPLY Submit a cover letter and rsum to Tom McKenney, President, to careers@nativityworcester.org Hiring Salary Range: $100,000 - $120,000 (commensurate with experience) Our Mission: Founded in 2003, Nativity School of Worcester is an accredited, independent middle school that provides a holistic, tuition-free, faith-based education rooted in Ignatian values to students of all faiths from under-resourced communities. Drawing upon four pillars - strength, scholarship, character, and service - a Nativity education inspires self-discovery, responsibility, spiritual growth, and a lifelong dedication to learning. Equal Opportunity Employer Statement Nativity School of Worcester is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome and encourage applications from those who contribute to our diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. Nativity School of Worcester is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment; we welcome a broad spectrum of candidates, and particularly invite applications from diverse backgrounds and life experiences (e.g. gender, ethnicity/race, and other individuals who are under-represented in the profession). Candidates who have worked with a diverse range of individuals and who can contribute to our mission of inclusivity are encouraged to identify their experiences and interests in their cover letter. recblid sybkndf5nmuv0z8ib53sx0yoa7ennc
Donor Cultivation, Solicitation, and Stewardship (60%) Manage a portfolio of 75100 major donors and prospects, and conduct 10+ personal donor meetings per month, building strong relationships with individuals, corporations, foundations, and other stakeholders. Identify, cultivate, and solicit donors and prospects with the capacity to give five- to seven- gifts through one-time donations or multi-year pledges. Develop and implement customized cultivation and solicitation plans for each prospect based on interests, giving history, and school priorities. Support annual appeal efforts by contacting donors by phone and email to ask for donations and upgrade donors giving levels or convert annual donors into donors making multi-year pledges. Maintain accurate and timely records of all donor interactions in DonorPerfect. Partner with the President, whose advancement role focuses on engaging top donors, to identify new philanthropic opportunities and cultivate major supporters. Support the President, staff members, Board of Trustees, and volunteers by preparing them for donor meetings, attending key engagements, and representing the school at community events. Oversee donor and prospect research to build the Schools major donor pipeline. Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with corporations, foundations, and community organizations to enhance philanthropic support and elevate the schools visibility.
Donor Engagement and Event Planning (15%) Plan and oversee multiple fundraising events annually, ranging from small donor gatherings to large-scale galas, ensuring alignment with the schools mission and fundraising objectives. Ensure the successful cultivation and solicitation of corporate and other event sponsors. Develop new strategies to attract prospects to visit the school and engage in the schools mission and work. Oversee the engagement of the Boards Advancement Committee, Campaign Committee, Trustee Associates, and other leadership volunteers. Serve as a key spokesperson for Nativity Worcester, articulating its mission, values, and impact to external audiences. Attend community and business events in Worcester to grow the viability of the school, engage supporters, and enhance outreach efforts.
Additional Responsibilities: Advise the President and Executive Team on strategic initiatives and long-term planning related to advancement and other school priorities. Support the President with special projects and assume designated presidential duties in their absence as needed. As a senior leader at the school, model professional and appropriate behavior that positively impacts and influences staff and students. Travel as needed to meet with donors, attend community events, or represent the school at advancement-related functions. Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by the President. Participate in school-wide events, professional development days and orientations. Attend daily morning assemblies (8:00 am) and faculty/staff retreats (two times per year). This is a full-time, exempt salaried position; as such, occasional work outside and in addition to regular hours is expected to meet donor engagement and school needs. The role requires in-person presence five days a week, with some scheduling flexibility available in June and August. Local travel for donor meetings is also required.
Basic Qualifications: Bachelors degree required and CFRE certification preferred. 7+ years of progressive experience in fundraising. Experience leading teams and a successful advancement program is preferred. Demonstrated success in securing major gifts of at least $10,000, ideally with experience closing gifts of $100,000 or more. Strong leadership and team management skills, with experience mentoring staff and collaborating with senior leadership and boards. Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders. Proficiency in donor management systems (e.g., DonorPerfect) and fundraising analytics. Commitment to Nativity School of Worcesters mission and values, including a dedication to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism. Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, and travel as needed.
Additional Qualifications and Skills Highly organized and detail-oriented. Strong interpersonal and communication skills Professional, proactive, collaborative, and results-oriented. Ability to adapt to changing priorities and take initiative. Even-tempered, poised, and confident in a wide variety of situations. Courteous, flexible under pressure, and able to work independently. Demonstrated ability to evaluate problems, exercise sound judgment, and maintain confidentiality. Maintains a professional, caring, and conscientious demeanor at all times.
TO APPLY Submit a cover letter and rsum to Tom McKenney, President, to careers@nativityworcester.org Hiring Salary Range: $100,000 - $120,000 (commensurate with experience) Our Mission: Founded in 2003, Nativity School of Worcester is an accredited, independent middle school that provides a holistic, tuition-free, faith-based education rooted in Ignatian values to students of all faiths from under-resourced communities. Drawing upon four pillars - strength, scholarship, character, and service - a Nativity education inspires self-discovery, responsibility, spiritual growth, and a lifelong dedication to learning. Equal Opportunity Employer Statement Nativity School of Worcester is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome and encourage applications from those who contribute to our diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. Nativity School of Worcester is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment; we welcome a broad spectrum of candidates, and particularly invite applications from diverse backgrounds and life experiences (e.g. gender, ethnicity/race, and other individuals who are under-represented in the profession). Candidates who have worked with a diverse range of individuals and who can contribute to our mission of inclusivity are encouraged to identify their experiences and interests in their cover letter. recblid sybkndf5nmuv0z8ib53sx0yoa7ennc