Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton (SHS) is seeking excellent candidates for a Chief Advancement Officer.

Organization Overview

Founded in 1898, SHS is a Roman Catholic, coeducational, independent school and is comprised of four divisions: SHS Preschool and Kindergarten, SHS Lower and Middle Schools for grades one through eight, and Sacred Heart Preparatory for grades nine through twelve.

Located on a beautiful 64acre campus in the San Francisco Bay Area, SHS is one of 23 schools in the U.S. Network of Sacred Heart Schools and is affiliated with a network of over 200 Sacred Heart schools worldwide. The school's mission is to educate the whole child to be a leader who loves God and serves others. For more information about the schools, please visit our website: https://www.shschools.org/about/overview

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  We offer competitive compensation based on years of experience, education, and skill level. This position offers health and welfare benefits subject to plan parameters, including medical, dental, vision, Life & LTD, 403(b) retirement plan, and more.

Position Purpose: The Chief of Advancement is responsible for oversight of all development and campaign functions of SHS, including but not limited to the supervision of the Institutional Advancement department staff, coordination of all giving programs and grants, and oversight of development publications and communications, as well as maintenance of the website and marketing for the Admissions department.

Specific Expectations for employees serving on the Schools Administrative Council:

In addition to duties and essential job functions listed in job descriptions, the following responsibilities are expected of all employees serving on the Schools Administrative Council:

• Professional development as required and approved by your Director of Schools, work beyond your regular hours when required and approved by your supervisor, and attendance of, or participation in, mandatory meetings and/or events as directed by your supervisor including but not limited to the 1898 Society Dinner, the Annual Auction and Board of Trustees meetings and retreats, and SAC meetings and retreats.
• Responsibilities associated with emergency situations, risk management and general support of the Schools and school programs.
• Professional demeanor and attire suiting your area of work and with the knowledge that you are a representative of the Director of Schools and Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton. All employees will be paid appropriately and according to current law. In the case you are required to work outside of your normal work schedule; non-exempt employees will receive overtime pay, as eligible.

Essential Functions

• Oversee the Institutional Advancement department and its staff. Provide management and leadership of the department, including driving staff professional growth and development.
• Provide visionary and inspirational guidance to the department resulting in a high degree of engagement.
• Plan and oversee all fundraising activities among all SHS constituencies.
• Work closely with the Board of Trustees' Committee on Development as well as volunteer campaign leadership during the campaigns and other programs.
• Liaise with Investment, Finance, Marketing, and Strategic Planning Board committees and represent the development/communications/marketing point of view in these committees.
• Develop and implement strategic planning initiatives for development, communications, and admissions. * Coordinate fundraising initiatives with the Lower/Middle School (Pre K-8) and the Sacred Heart Preparatory (9-12) Parents' Association leadership.
• Work with the Committee on Trustees to identify potential trustee candidates.
• Provide support staffing and guidance to the Director of Schools.

Campaign and General Development Activities and Communications

• Oversee the successful implementation and completion of fundraising efforts including the capital campaign, annual fund, major gifts, planned giving, and fundraising events.
• Partner with the Director of Schools, the Board of Trustees, and SHS senior management on fundraising goal-setting.
• Review and approve activities regarding prospect management issues and questions.
• Oversee the Annual Fund and Alumni Relations.
• Collaborate with the Director of Strategic Communications in the production of the SHS Annual Report and All-Schools Magazine, the schools website design, marketing, content, and other communication programs.
• Oversee the identification, recruitment, and ongoing activities of volunteers.
• Work closely with the Board of Trustees and sub-committee chairs on all matters related to marketing and development.
• Oversee prospect identification, research, cultivation, and solicitation processes.
• Oversee the proposal development process for individuals, foundations, and corporations.
• Approve coordination of the logistics of solicitation activities by volunteers and staff. Approve milestones and schedule of all solicitation programs.
• Provide assistance with the donor stewardship program.
• Work with senior staff to develop and generate reports to be used throughout the campaign for both Trustees and volunteers.
• Provide regular presentations and updates to the Board of Trustees.

Administration and Operations

• Serve as a member of SHS' senior administrative team, Schools Administrative Council (SAC).
• Create and monitor the Institutional Advancement departmental budget.
• Work with the business office in overseeing gift processing and reconciliation.
• Participate in the annual departmental audit in coordination with the Business department.
• Provide statistical data and complete annual surveys for independent school associations as requested by the Director of Schools.
• Foster relationships with faculty and staff related to development.
• Promote professional standards and personnel development by participating in local and national associations that offer support and professional assistance.
• Represent SHS at various functions and events during the year.
• Assume other special assignments as requested by the Director of Schools.

Qualifications:

• MA degree in business or related field and a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in a non-profit environment with a track record of success.
• Strong management background. Ability to visualize and implement staffing to accommodate departmental goals.
• Proven strong leadership skills. Ability to develop changes to existing programs and implement new programs and successfully manage the changes within the department.
• Extensive experience securing major gifts and solid campaign experience
• Ability to communicate effectively with school representatives, parents, students, alumni, donors, and representatives from the business community.
• Ability to think and plan strategically and creatively.
• Demonstrated ability to manage fundraising programs.
• Experience in developing prospect strategies, briefing documents, and talking points for volunteers, administrators, and staff.
• A clear commitment to the educational philosophy of the school as articulated in the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Schools and professional behavior based on it.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and experience conceptualizing, writing and coordinating campaign materials.
• Ability to work independently and within a team-oriented environment.
• Willingness to be an active, enthusiastic member of the SHS community.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Raisers Edge.
• Demonstrated excellent attendance and punctuality for events and for regular work.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• Works in a fast-paced environment dealing with a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and complexities serving a varied constituency.
• Must comply with all state vaccination requirements and show proof of vaccination including but not limited to COVID-19 or proof of eligibility for exemption.
• Ability to travel safely and comfortably across a 64-acre campus.
• May work at a desk and computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally lift up to 50 pounds. Regularly lifts up to 20 pounds.
• Work primarily in a traditional climate-controlled environment and intermittently in outside weather conditions, including heat and cold typical to the Mid-Peninsula in the Bay Area.
• May work in varied extreme outside weather conditions during special activities and fundraising events.
• Available and willing to attend and work on overnight trips, on occasion.