Director of Advancement

St. Martin’s Episcopal School in Metairie, LA is seeking an experienced Director of Advancement to begin employment on July 1, 2023. Founded in 1947, St. Martin’s is a co-educational independent day school, serving students from PK through 12th grade. The faculty and staff strive to live out the School’s Mission to prepare students to thrive in college and in life through faith, scholarship, and service. The School seeks a strategic, growth-minded, highly motivated, and collaborative-thinking  educational professional to lead a team of highly qualified professionals in developing and implementing comprehensive, action-oriented development programs. This  position reports to the Head of School, and works closely with the Division Heads. The ideal candidate will have experience in the areas of development. The Director of Advancement is responsible for identifying, cultivating and soliciting, a targeted portfolio of priority prospects, with a focus on securing commitments, and large gifts, in accordance with the Schools strategic priorities and objective. 

 Responsibilities for Advancement:

• Coordinate overall school-based giving and major gift activities at the School, including managing the development activities and all fundraising matters related to the School which includes Major Gifts, Annual Giving, Gift Planning, Capital Campaigns and have a full understanding of Endowments
• Create a close partnership with the St. Martin’s constituents which include faculty/staff, alumni, parents, board members and students
• Help donors accomplish their philanthropic goals and ambitions through a relationship with St. Martin’s Episcopal School.
• Develops and executes innovative fundraising strategies to advance the Annual Giving Program and expand and diversify the donor pool with emphasis on support for scholarship, innovation, and facilities enhancement.
• Work with the Communications Department to develop content for direct mail and other fundraising communications to advance fundraising and improve the school’s overall visibility and identity with donors.
• Identify, cultivate, recruit, and develop fundraising volunteers and leadership.
•  Oversee coordination of fundraising and event logistics

Qualifications: 

• • Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university and 4+ years of direct fund-raising or related transferable experience in the solicitation and closing of major gifts.
  • Strong background in education and knowledge of marketing strategies and outreach in independent schools.
  • Experience with fund-raising in independent schools is preferred.
  • Experience with Student Information Systems, preferably FACTS.
  • Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to write and speak in a clear, sincere, and compelling manner, and to articulate and represent the mission and vision of St. Martin’s Episcopal School 
  • Experience in prospect identification, relationship building, and solicitation, preferably in education 
  • Experience in asking for large gifts and/or staffing volunteers to ask for large gifts 
  • Ability to travel if needed as well as attend events on evenings and weekends 
  • Excellent organization skills, including the ability to manage multiple activities, demands, and/or projects simultaneously, while maintaining a high degree of effectiveness, a spirit of collaboration, and a sense of humor 
  • Demonstrated initiative and self-starting capacity 
  • Ability and professional style to work with leadership, trustees, volunteers, and top donors in an effective and sophisticated manner
  • Experience working with sensitive information and ability to maintain strict confidentiality
  • Transferable or related experience may include marketing, admissions, public relations, alumni relations, or sales

 To apply for this position please click Here

St. Martin’s is actively working to create a diverse work community. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. St. Martin’s School is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

St. Martin’s does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, gender or gender identity, age, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

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