Job DetailsJob Location: OSP - Chicago, IL 60661Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: 4 Year DegreeSalary Range: $110,000.00 - $140,000.00 SalaryTravel Percentage: 25 to 50%Primary Professional Function The Director of Advancement is a strategic and visionary leader who serves as a key member of the School’s senior leadership team. This role is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive advancement program that strengthens philanthropic support, fosters community engagement, and elevates the visibility and reputation of The Frances Xavier Warde School (FXW). In close partnership with the Head of School, the Director advances FXW’s mission as an independent Catholic school grounded in faith, inclusivity, service, and academic excellence. The Director oversees all aspects of fundraising, marketing and communications, parent engagement, alumni relations, special events, and advancement operations. This position provides direct leadership and supervision to a collaborative team that includes the Internal Communications Manager, External Marketing and Digital Media Manager, Annual Giving and Advancement Data Manager, Alumni Relations Coordinator, and Special Events Coordinator. Duties/Responsibilities Strategic Leadership and Planning Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive, multi-year advancement strategy aligned with FXW’s mission and institutional priorities. Partner with the Head of School to set and meet annual goals for fundraising, constituent engagement, marketing, and communications. Serve as a trusted advisor to the Head of School, Advancement Committee, and the Children at the Crossroads Foundation (CATC) Board. Foster a culture of philanthropy grounded in Catholic stewardship and inclusive values, ensuring the “why” of giving is understood and embraced across the community. Oversee strategic communications planning, ensuring consistent messaging, brand alignment, and mission-driven storytelling across all channels. Fundraising Leadership Lead all philanthropic efforts for FXW and CATC, including the Annual Fund, major and planned gifts, corporate and foundation relations, and special events. Partner with the Head of School to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects; personally manage a portfolio of donors and prospects. Support the Head of School and external campaign consultants in the development and implementation of strategies for The Foundations Campaign designed to enhance facilities, expand scholarship endowments, and strengthen support for faculty excellence and student programming. Collaborate with the Annual Giving and Advancement Data Manager to establish annual giving goals, donor segmentation strategies, and stewardship plans. Work with the Finance to ensure timely reconciliation of all gifts, pledges, and reports. Marketing, Communications, and Brand Stewardship Supervise the Internal Communications Manager and External Marketing and Digital Media Manager in developing integrated strategies that elevate the School’s visibility and reinforce FXW’s mission and values. Oversee the development of print and digital content for admissions, fundraising, and community engagement initiatives—including the FXW website, newsletters, social media, and annual reports. Ensure all communications reflect the School’s voice: faith-centered, inclusive, and community-oriented. Strengthen cross-departmental collaboration to ensure alignment between Advancement, Admissions, and Academics in representing FXW’s value proposition. Team Leadership and Operational Excellence Lead, coach, and mentor the Advancement team, fostering a high-performing, mission-driven culture of accountability, collaboration, and creativity. Build team capacity through professional development and clear performance expectations. Ensure all team functions, including data integrity, gift processing, and donor stewardship, reflect best practices and operational excellence. Promote strong communication and coordination across the Advancement Team’s efforts in fundraising, events, alumni relations, communications, and marketing. Constituent and Community Engagement Serve as a visible ambassador of FXW within the broader community, cultivating strong relationships with parents, alumni, trustees, and external partners. Partner with the Alumni Relations Coordinator to grow alumni engagement through events, mentorship opportunities, and strategic communications. Provide strategic guidance for special events (e.g., FXW Gala, Bright Futures Dinner, Grandparents & Special Friends Days, and donor receptions), ensuring alignment with advancement, community-building, and engagement goals. Collaborate with the Head of School to foster transparency and trust through open communication regarding philanthropy, financial sustainability, and the impact of community support. Coordinate and support community activities, events, and family engagement initiatives of the PAC Parent Association. Perform other duties as assigned to support the needs and priorities of the School. Compliance Although FXW is an Independent Catholic School, all faculty and staff comply with the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Protecting God’s Children Requirements. Complete the required new hire paperwork and mandatory Archdiocese training. Must clear Background Check/Fingerprints. Monitor and enforce compliance with internal policies. Required to attend additional training classes as designated by the Security Operations Manager/ Security Lead or Security Supervisor and/or FXW administrative staff. Qualifications and Requirements Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree in advancement, nonprofit management, business, communications, or related field preferred. Minimum of 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in advancement, development, or related fields, with demonstrated success in major gifts, annual giving, and campaign management. Proven record of strategic leadership, including experience with policy development, budgeting, and organizational planning. Strong leadership and management abilities with experience in supervising, mentoring, and motivating diverse teams. Demonstrated expertise in developing and executing comprehensive fundraising, marketing, and communications strategies. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking, negotiation, and the ability to inspire and engage varied audiences. Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, adapt to changing priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Proficiency with donor database systems (Veracross or similar), Microsoft Office Suite, and marketing analytics or CRM tools. Experience in independent or faith-based schools preferred; familiarity with Catholic education and its traditions is an asset. Additional Skills and Experience Exercises sound judgment, discretion, and decision-making. Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines with composure. Maintains absolute confidentiality and professionalism in appearance, attitude, and communication. Creative and analytical thinker with strong problem-solving abilities. Exceptional interpersonal, organizational, networking, and facilitation skills. Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment. Self-starter with the initiative to meet goals and benchmarks without daily supervision. Key Relationships The Director of Advancement reports to and will be supervised, evaluated, and mentored by the Head of School, and will work collaboratively with key partners including the FXW Board of Trustees Advancement Committee, the CATC Board, PAC Co-Chairs, parents and donors across the FXW and CATC community, principals, faculty and staff, vendors, and HNC and OSP Church staff. Reporting Relationships Direct reports include the Internal Communications Manager, the Annual Giving and Advancement Data Manager, the Alumni Relations Coordinator (Part-Time), the External Marketing and Digital Media Manager (contracted), and the Special Events Coordinator (contracted). Physical Requirements The Director of Advancement must be able to impart and receive detailed information through verbal and written communication. The role also requires the ability to work in situations involving measurable or verifiable criteria, interact effectively with people, perform under appropriately stressful conditions, and work within established limits, tolerances, and standards. The position may require sitting or standing for extended periods, continual or intermittent walking for up to 15 minutes at a time, and occasional lifting of materials weighing between 10 and 50 pounds. Work Environment Hours of work may vary Sunday through Saturday and are generally structured in eight (8) hour blocks, with evenings and weekends required as needed for Advancement, departmental, and School events. The noise level in the work environment is generally moderate, with occasional periods of higher activity during school events or community gatherings. Compensation and BenefitsCompensation and Benefits FXW offers a competitive salary and robust benefits program, commensurate with experience and consistent with independent schools. Expected compensation for this role includes a salary within the range of $110,000- $140,000. Benefits include but are not limited to: Medical Dental Vision Life & Disability Short-Term Disability Long-Term Disability Basic Life & AD&D Voluntary Life & AD&D Voluntary Benefits Financial Wellness FSA Commuter Benefits 403B Retirement Savings Wellbeing & Balance Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Mental Health Resources Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? We understand. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply and welcome a chance for us to review your background. We are dedicated to building and maintaining a diversified workforce and considering a broad array of candidates with a variety of skills, workplace experience, and backgrounds. Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion FXW is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace and values candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. We encourage individuals who may not meet 100% of the listed requirements, but who believe they could excel in this role, to apply. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation throughout the hiring process and within the workplace to support all employees in performing the essential functions of the job. Non-Discrimination Policy It is The Frances Xavier Warde School’s goal to attract, recruit and retain exceptional faculty and staff that are inspiring, diverse and committed to the school’s mission. We support our teachers and staff by welcoming them into an environment that encourages them to excel and by maintaining a rich benefits package that helps them flourish and grow personally and professionally. FXW will not engage in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran and will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders, and regulations. This nondiscrimination policy applies to student admissions and employment. We invite you to become a part of our community, and FXW makes a deliberate effort to employ faculty and staff of diverse races, ethnicities, and backgrounds. No phone calls, please. Mission Statement The Frances Xavier Warde School is a Catholic elementary school in downtown Chicago that provides an excellent academic, values-oriented education to students of all ethnic, religious, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds in a child-centered urban environment. As a keystone of its diverse community, The Frances Xavier Warde School provides need-based scholarships to thirty percent of its students. The Frances Xavier Warde School partners with its families, nurtures faith development for its Catholic students, and engages all its students to learn about and respect other faith traditions. The Frances Xavier Warde School uses a rigorous curriculum that enables students to grow, clarify their values, develop decision-making skills and a sense of responsibility for themselves and the world they will inherit.

Learn more about this Employer on their Career Site