Director of Advancement

The Frances Xavier Warde School•Chicago, IL

1d•$110,000 - $140,000•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
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.
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.
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.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in advancement, nonprofit management, business, communications, or related field preferred.
Experience in independent or faith-based schools preferred; familiarity with Catholic education and its traditions is an asset.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.