Director of Development

About the role

Reporting directly to the President, the Director of Development leads the planning, structure, and implementation of the school's expansive development program. Well versed in D.A.'s mission and the lived experience of the Four Pillars, the Director provides strategic direction, carries a personal portfolio of major donors, and serves as the school's spokesperson in its philanthropic efforts.

The Team You Will Lead

• Development Database & Annual Fund Manager: Owns gift processing, database integrity, and the annual fund engine that keeps the program running.
• Alumnae Relations & Special Events Manager: Leads alumnae engagement and the school's signature events, including the Spring Auction & Benefit.
• Grant Writing Consultant: Supports foundation research, proposal writing, and grant follow-up under the Director's direction.

Primary Responsibilities

Where the Director makes the difference:

• Strategic Vision & Planning: Partner with the President to set the vision, goals, and priorities of D.A.'s mission advancement efforts.
• Build a long-range plan and annual goals for the Development Office, in close coordination with the VP for Finance.
• Establish KPIs and metrics to track progress against school-wide fundraising goals.
• Prepare and manage the Development Office budget and report progress to the President and Board.
• Serve as a trusted liaison to the Development Committee Chair and Board of Trustees.
• Fundraising & Major Gifts: Carry a personal portfolio of major-gift relationships and personally solicit and close gifts.
• Serve as the school's spokesperson in its philanthropic efforts and build new individual and institutional relationships.
• Guide the President in successful engagement with the school's major donors.
• Direct donor research, cultivation strategy, and stewardship aligned with D.A.'s mission and history.
• Cultivate present and prospective donors both locally and nationally.
• Team Leadership & Operations: Lead all aspects of the development plan: major gifts, annual appeal, grant writing, alumnae engagement, and events.
• Supervise, evaluate, and develop Development Office team members.
• Ensure accurate gift recording, timely acknowledgment, and effective use of the donor database.
• Oversee foundation giving, including grant writing, budgets, funder contact, and follow up.
• Community & Engagement: Direct programming for alumnae engagement and the school's special events.
• Collaborate with Communications on the annual report, alumnae magazine, and appeals.
• Be a present, engaged presence at school-wide events as an ambassador for the mission.
• Work collaboratively across offices and with faculty to support school initiatives.

The Ideal Candidate

A forward-facing leader with real hustle, a closer, not just a cultivator. A forward-facing presence with genuine hustle, who converts relationships and warm leads into gifts and follows through to the ask. Visionary and strategic. Sees the whole board, sets an ambitious plan, and has the discipline and metrics to reach it. Financially fluent. A strong sense of budget and reporting, and a natural, credible partner to the Vice President for Finance. An authentic ambassador. Believes in Catholic, Dominican education and can speak to the Four Pillars with warmth and conviction. A storyteller and listener. Understands donors' values and tells D.A.'s story in a way that moves people to give.

Qualifications

• 5 to 10 years in nonprofit development with increasing fundraising and supervisory responsibility.
• Demonstrated success in major-gift cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Proven ability in grant and proposal writing and securing commitments from individuals and foundations.
• A belief in Catholic Dominican education and the pillars of prayer, study, community, and service.
• Ability to cultivate donors locally and nationally, with a high degree of professionalism.
• Strong CRM skills with Raiser's Edge experience preferred; CFRE certification preferred.
• A Bachelor's degree required, along with an uncompromising sense of discretion and confidentiality.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefit program (details will be furnished to finalist candidates).

Pay

Salary: Commensurate with background and experience.

Schedule

Some evening and weekend work is required.