Director of Advancement

Job Description

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School, the premier Catholic school in the Montgomery region since 1873, seeks a mission-driven and strategic Director of Advancement to lead and grow the school's advancement efforts. As a regional model Catholic school serving students across two elementary campuses, a middle school, and a high school, Montgomery Catholic is committed to academic excellence, faith formation, and service rooted in the teachings of the Catholic Church.

The Director of Advancement is a senior leadership position responsible for advancing the mission, vision, and long-term sustainability of Montgomery Catholic through comprehensive advancement strategies. This role oversees Admissions, Marketing and Communications, and Community Engagement, ensuring alignment across all external relations, fundraising, and growth initiatives. Additionally, the Director of Advancement will partner with the Director Faith Integration as an integral part of the Advancement team.

Rooted in the Catholic call to stewardship, this role is one of strategic leadership - helping others participate in the Church's mission of Catholic education through their generosity.

Key Responsibilities

Advancement Leadership & Strategy

- Develop and implement a comprehensive advancement plan that supports the school's mission, strategic goals, and long-term financial sustainability.

- Serve as a key advisor to the President and Principals and senior leadership team on advancement, enrollment trends, philanthropy, and community relations.

- Foster a culture of philanthropy and engagement across all campuses and constituencies, including faculty, staff, parents, alumni, donors, parishioners, and community partners.

- Integrate Catholic values and the spirituality of stewardship into all advancement initiatives.

Fundraising & Development

- Partner with school leadership, board members, and volunteers to strengthen donor relationships and expand philanthropic support.

- Evaluate grant opportunities and cultivate those that are best aligned with the school's programs and mission. Manage the application process.

- Identify, cultivate, and steward relationships with individual donors, alumni, parents, parishioners, community leaders and corporate partners to secure financial support while ensuring accurate record keeping and reporting.

- Develop and execute a strategic fundraising plan to meet annual fundraising goals, focusing on major gifts, planned giving, annual campaigns, corporate sponsorships, and grant opportunities.

- Guide and assist the Advancement team support staff in maintaining accurate donor records, gift processing, and acknowledgement systems.

- Oversee timely and personalized stewardship communications that express gratitude and demonstrate the impact of giving. Use date-driven analysis to evaluate advancement activities and identify growth opportunities and prospect cultivation.

Admissions and Enrollment Management

- Provide leadership and strategic direction for enrollment, ensuring strong student recruitment, retention, and mission-appropriate growth across all campuses.

- Collaborate with school administrators to align enrollment goals with academic programs, facilities, and financial aid strategies.

- Analyze enrollment data and market trends to inform decision-making and long-range planning.

- Partner with the Business Office to maximize opportunities for the utilization of Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) and CHOOSE Act funding.

- Work with the Director of Admissions to plan and execute enrollment and retention events both on and off campus.

Marketing & Communications

- Oversee all marketing, branding, and communications efforts to ensure a consistent, compelling, and mission-centered message.

- Strengthen Montgomery Catholic's brand as the premier Catholic school in the region through print, digital, social media, and community outreach as well as supervise the maintenance of the Montgomery Catholic website.

- Ensure timely, effective communication with internal and external stakeholders.

- Oversee production of the Annual Report through publication of our Annual Nowadays magazine.

Community Engagement & Alumni Relations

- Lead efforts to engage alumni, parents, parish partners, and the broader community in meaningful ways that support the mission of the school.

- Strengthen alumni relations programs to increase engagement, pride, and philanthropic support.

- Serve as a visible ambassador for Montgomery Catholic in the community, fostering partnerships that advance the school's mission. Engage in civic organizations, partner with the Chamber of Commerce and seek opportunities to serve and support local non-profit organizations.

- Supervise and collaborate with Advancement team staff members on planning and execution of all Advancement Events (including but not limited to: Welcome Breakfasts, Homecoming Alumni Under the Tent, Meals to Missions, PICE Golf Tournament, Cocktails in the Courtyard, Giving Tuesday, Epiphany Party, Mardi Gras Parades, Monte Carlo, Elementary Field Day, Works of Mercy Day, and Scholarship Breakfast)

- Establish and maintain a positive working relationship and ongoing communication with pastors, school administration, and diocese leadership.

Team Leadership & Management

- Lead, mentor, and evaluate the Advancement team, including Admissions, Marketing/Communications, and Community Engagement while providing ongoing formation, professional development, and spiritual encouragement for advancement team members

- Promote collaboration, professional growth, and accountability within the team, including Principals and campus leadership.

- Manage the advancement budget and ensure effective use of resources.

- Acts as primary Advancement team liaison to the Advisory Council.

- The Director of Advancement reports directly to the School President.

Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred (Business, Nonprofit Management, Education, or Theology).

- Experience with Raiser's Edge preferred

- Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in advancement, development, enrollment, marketing, or a related field; experience in Catholic or independent schools strongly preferred.

- Demonstrated success in fundraising, strategic planning, and team leadership.

- Strong communication, relationship-building, and organizational skills.

- Understanding of and commitment to the mission of Catholic education and the teachings of the Catholic Church. Practicing Catholic highly preferred.

Personal Attributes

- Mission-driven leader with integrity, professionalism, and enthusiasm for Catholic education.

- Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into action. Collaborate with the President to establish the vision, but serve as integrator within the organizational structure to bring vision to life.

- Collaborative, relational, and confident working with diverse stakeholders.

- High level of discretion, initiative, and highly self-directed with an attention to detail and ability to organize effectively.

How to Apply

Visit www.montgomerycatholic.org/jobs to download the Employment Application and Reference form. Please email these completed forms and your resume to Justin Castanza, School President at jcastanza@montgomerycatholic.org.

About the Employer

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is an integral part of the Catholic Church's mission to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. As an adult community, we share in the responsibility to prepare students for college and beyond while helping them grow to become persons of faith, virtue and wisdom.

At Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School, we strive to provide not just top-quality academic programs, but also a firm grounding in traditional religious and moral principles that tomorrow's leaders need. We foster a tight-knit, family-oriented community where all students are treated with love, dignity and respect, while our K3-12 college preparatory program provides rigorous academics that ready students for the most prestigious colleges and beyond.