Executive Director of Advancement

The Executive Director of Advancement formally reports directly to the Provincial and has a dotted line reporting and close working relationship with the Provincial Assistant for Apostolic Planning and Province Operations for the East Province. The Executive Director will provide the creative leadership and strategic vision to identify, define, and meet the East Province fundraising goals in support of the works of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).The Executive Director will direct a comprehensive program comprised of annual, major, and planned giving, prospect research and stewardship, and communications/marketing. The Executive Director will supervise current staff as well as additional hires as the program of advancement matures. The Executive Director collaborates closely with the Director of Communications to ensure a dynamic communications program with outreach to Jesuits, friends, and benefactors of the Jesuits.

Promoting the Mission

• Continually deepen an understanding of the Province, through a knowledge of its history, distinct mission and culture, its base of financial support, and the opportunities that exist therein.

Fundraising

• Create and implement the process by which a steady source of donor prospects is identified, researched, and qualified for the appropriate level of cultivation and solicitation. The Executive Director will periodically lead segmentation of the database to ensure that capital, special, and annual solicitations are executed in a coherent manner.
• Identify and manage the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of all major and planned gifts for endowment and capital projects. In this regard, develop a portfolio of qualified major gift prospects to personally engage and solicit, involving the Provincial when appropriate.
• Identify leadership prospects and solicit annual and special gifts to support the Province’s operating budget.
• Create, inspire, and maintain donor loyalty, interest, and enthusiasm through ongoing stewardship efforts. This will require close collaboration with the Director of Communications to define how key strategic messages will be delivered to various individuals and stakeholder groups to increase their understanding of the Province’s identity and brand, strategic imperatives, and case for charitable support.
• Serve as a champion and advocate for the Province, internally and externally, promoting advancement as a unifying force within the Province; generate understanding and commitment to the development process.
• Coordinate capital campaign initiatives as identified according to Province needs.
• Manage the involvement of Province leadership in advancement activities.
• Create and manage a team of volunteer Jesuit development associates in Jesuit communities throughout the Province.

Management

• Supervise all Advancement staff within the East Province.
• Meet annually with each member of the Advancement staff to establish specific job responsibilities, evaluate job performance, and set objectives for improvement. Maximize the team’s effectiveness, building on strengths and defining a path for correcting weakness.
• Conduct an annual assessment of programs and achievements.
• Prepare and ensure accuracy of fundraising reports that monitor monthly progress towards goals.
• Build a harmonious working relationship with the Provincial and the other members of his executive team, gaining their trust and confidence; provide them with timely advice and counsel in all advancement areas.

Administration

• In support of the Province’s strategic priorities, prepare and refresh annually, an operational plan for the advancement program. Delineate timetables, budgets, and strategies for accomplishing goals and objectives.
• Develop clear policy guidelines for the advancement program including gift acceptance, processing and accounting, donor recognition, and stewardship.
• Develop a master calendar of development activities and events ensuring that proper planning, preparation, and follow-up take place in an orderly way.
• Prepare written funding proposals with related correspondence and follow-up.
• Ensure professional development for the Advancement team to enhance skills and foster current knowledge of the advancement field and the Jesuit world.

Province Committee Work

• Serve as the primary liaison to the Province Advancement Committee; participate in relevant committees or other teams as assigned.
• Serve on the Province’s Finance committee, providing reports on progress towards fundraising goals and other initiatives.
• Participate in all required meetings providing reports/updates on advancement activities.
• Serve on the Assistancy Committee for Development for JCCU (Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States).
• Support various Province wide activities as requested.

The Executive Director of Advancement must have an understanding of and passion for the goals and mission of the USA East Province of the Society of Jesus. The ideal candidate is an experienced fundraising strategist and relationship builder with a history of innovation in fundraising and donor development to support the strategic direction of the Jesuits. The ability to effectively articulate specific fundraising goals and motivate and manage a team to achieve those goals will be essential to the success of the incoming Executive Director of Advancement.

• Minimum of ten (10) years of increasingly responsible roles in fundraising, development, and advancement management.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the mission of the Roman Catholic Church and the national and international vision of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).
• Broad exposure to all facets of development, including annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, capital campaign planning and implementation, and data management and analysis.
• Proven success in achieving results; developing solicitation strategies and a track record of success cultivating, soliciting, and closing six-figure plus gifts.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and develop lasting strategic partnerships; the ability to see the “big picture” and celebrate jobs well done by the entire Advancement team.
• Strong management skills, both strategic and operational, and a demonstrated ability to build, manage, mentor, and motivate an effective team, while effectively engaging and staffing volunteers.
• Visionary and strategic planning capabilities to be applied toward the development of an innovative fundraising program and the leadership necessary to ensure its successful implementation.
• Ability to engage senior leadership, Board members, volunteers, and others in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
• Strong financial competence in budgeting and revenue goal setting.
• A team player and team builder that has a passion for and commitment to achieving excellence in all aspects of the mission of the Jesuits while fostering a high level of respect for colleagues.
• Ability to serve as a trusted advisor to the Provincial and Assistant Provincial and volunteer Jesuit leaders on matters related to advancement.
• A high degree of professionalism with the ability to be flexible, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and work under deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to build, foster, and maintain positive relationships with both internal and external constituencies including affluent and influential benefactors and prospects.
• Superior communication skills to express, orally and in writing, the Jesuit mission, vision, and goals with clarity, passion, and persuasion.
• Self-confidence and humility combined with a sense of humor and a collaborative management style.
• Technical proficiency with a working knowledge of CRM/donor management systems, preferably Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Must be willing and able to travel to meet donors throughout the East Province and work nights and weekends when necessary.

The salary range for this position is $175,000 to $225,000
based on education, skills, experience, and location.

The USA East Province of the Society of Jesus is one of four Provinces of the Society of Jesus in the United States and one part of the worldwide body of Jesuits. The Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) is a Roman Catholic order of priests and brothers founded in 1540 by the soldier-turned-priest, Saint Ignatius Loyola. In the vision of their founder, they seek to “Find God in All Things” and commit themselves to the “Greater Glory of God.” The Jesuit mission has long been dedicated to:

• Spreading the Gospel
• Reaching out to those on the margins
• Educating men and women for others

With close to 17,000 priests and brothers worldwide, the Jesuits are the largest male religious order in the Catholic Church. They are pastors, teachers, and chaplains. They are also doctors, lawyers, and astronomers, among many other roles in the Church and society. In their varied ministries, they care for the whole person—body, mind, and soul. The USA East Province is the largest province in the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States, comprising 580 Jesuits, 10 colleges and universities, 30 middle and high schools, 18 parishes, 4 retreat centers, and 2 international schools.

Jesuits draw on the rich tradition of Ignatian Spirituality. They offer resources to all who want to discern God’s presence in their lives. Through this lens, the Jesuits work tirelessly to advance social justice and peace. Among the marginalized and seemingly forgotten in cities and throughout the world, Jesuits can be found advocating on their behalf.

From universities and schools to prisons and outreach centers, to refugee camps in the poorest of nations, the Jesuits and their lay partners can be found “going where the need is greatest.” In the United States, they are most known for teaching, ministering, and living the Jesuit mission in service to others through:

• Universities and Schools
• Parishes
• Retreat Centers

For additional information, please visit their website at www.jesuiteast.org.