Director of Development

Location: Chaminade High School, Mineola, NY

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

Position Overview:

Chaminade High School seeks an experienced and strategic Director of Development to lead and manage all aspects of its philanthropic initiatives. This role is crucial in fostering community relationships and securing resources to support the school’s Marianist mission, mainly focusing on access, affordability, and expanding academic and athletic programs and facilities. The Director will work closely with the Chief Operating Officer, President, Executive Director of Advancement, Torch Fund Committee, and other school Administrators to create and implement a comprehensive development plan that enhances donor relationships and secures financial support.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Fundraising Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive development strategy that aligns with the school’s mission and strategic priorities, focusing on major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, and capital campaigns.
• Lead and oversee all aspects of fundraising efforts, including identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors, organizing our various annual campaigns, and executing our foundation proposals and reporting.
• Collaborate with the Chief Operating Officer (COO) to establish fundraising goals, analyze campaign performance, and adjust strategies to ensure financial targets are met or exceeded.

Donor Relations and Stewardship

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with existing donors, alumni, parents, and other stakeholders, providing personalized communication and opportunities for engagement.
• Oversee the development and implementation of donor recognition programs, events, and stewardship plans to ensure donor satisfaction and retention.
• In partnership with the Treasurer’s Office, track our annual financial performance and ensure timely acknowledgments and progress reports to donors, showcasing the impact of their contributions.

Team Management and Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and manage the development team, including staff overseeing annual giving, alumni relations, and database management.
• Collaborate with academic departments, administrative units, the athletic department, and the leadership team to identify needs, set priorities, and develop effective fundraising strategies.
• Promote a culture of philanthropy throughout the school community by working closely with faculty, staff, and volunteers.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for campaign-related communications, including progress updates, materials development, and donor engagement.

Alumni Engagement

• Collaborate with the Alumni Office to expand and redefine alumni engagement strategies, bringing lifelong value to Chaminade graduates and creating meaningful opportunities for alumni to stay connected and give back to the school.
• Work with the alumni team to develop and implement programs that foster strong relationships between alumni, current students, and the broader school community.

Database Management and Research

• Oversee maintaining accurate and comprehensive records of alumni, donors, and prospects on the Blackbaud platform to ensure effective fundraising and engagement.
• Conduct research to identify new prospects and utilize data analytics to inform strategy and measure the effectiveness of advancement efforts.

Messaging and Branding

• Craft clear and compelling messages (for use in letters, social media posts, emails, talking points, etc.) that resonate with alumni, donors, and the broader community, ensuring alignment with the school’s brand.
• Collaborate with the Office of Communications to ensure high-quality content and messaging.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree in a relevant field is preferred.

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in development, fundraising, or related roles, with demonstrated success in leading major gift programs and campaigns.

• Proven ability to develop and implement successful fundraising strategies for unrestricted and restricted gifts.

• Strong understanding of development best practices, donor relations, and philanthropy in an educational context.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and engage diverse audiences.

• Experience managing and mentoring a team and working collaboratively across departments.

• Commitment to the mission and values of Chaminade High School, including its Marianist heritage and dedication to Catholic education.

Desired Attributes:

• A strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial spirit, eager to innovate and find new ways to engage donors.

• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously.

• A results-driven leader with a strong sense of integrity and dedication to ethical fundraising practices.

Compensation

• Salary commensurate with experience in the range of $175,000-$215,000. For more information or to submit a resume with a cover letter, please email Brian Crimmins, Chief Operating Officer at bcrimmins@chaminade-hs.org.

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

• Medical & Dental: 95% of premiums covered for employees and dependents.

• Pension Plan: Employer contributions to help secure your future.

• 403(b) Retirement Plan: With Roth option through Fidelity.

• Life Insurance: 1.5x annual salary (up to $150,000) fully covered by us.

• Disability Insurance: Short- and long-term coverage at no cost.

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): For medical and dependent care expenses.

• Employee Assistance Program: Access to emotional wellbeing and work-life balance resources.

• Paid Time Off: Vacation, personal, and sick days to recharge.

• Paid Parental Leave: Additional time off for new parents.