Director of Advancement

Job Description

Job Description

Salary:

TITLE: DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT

CLASSIFICATION: FULL-TIME, EXEMPT

REPORTS TO: HEAD OF SCHOOL

Overview of Position:

The Director of Advancement provides visionary leadership for all fundraising, engagement, and institutional advancement efforts at Calvin Christian School. This senior leadership role is responsible for developing, overseeing, and administering comprehensive strategies that cultivate generosity, strengthen relationships, and advance the mission of Calvin among alumni, grandparents, current parents, staff, churches, and new donors.

Working in close partnership with the Head of School, the Director of Advancement leads a coordinated Advancement team and ensures that development, marketing, communications, and engagement efforts are aligned with Calvins mission, values, and long-term strategic goals.

Essential Responsibilities

Advancement Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive Advancement strategy integrating fundraising, enrollment collaboration, communications, and community engagement.
• Establish annual and long-term goals for giving, participation, donor retention, and relationship growth.
• Ensure all advancement efforts align with Calvins mission, strategic plan, and Christ-centered culture of stewardship.
• Partner closely with the Head of School in donor cultivation, major gift solicitation, and strategic messaging.

Donor & Constituent Engagement

• Lead engagement strategies for key constituencies including alumni, grandparents, current parents, staff, churches, and prospective donors.
• Builds and stewards meaningful relationships through intentional one-on-one, face-to-face meetings, complemented by events, personal outreach, consistent communication, and disciplined follow-up, engaging a broad and diverse network of community partners in South Holland and the surrounding area.
• Foster a school-wide culture of generosity, partnership, and gratitude.

Fundraising & Development

• Oversee all fundraising initiatives including annual giving, major gifts, special appeals, and campaigns.
• Collaborate with the Head of School and board leadership to identify, cultivate, and steward major donors.
• Ensure effective systems for donor tracking, acknowledgment, reporting, and stewardship.
• Provide leadership for legacy and planned-giving initiatives to support long-term sustainability.

Events Leadership & Oversight

• Provide strategic oversight for major Advancement events, which may include the annual gala, auction, and golf outing.
• Ensure events support fundraising goals, donor engagement, and mission-centered storytelling.
• Provide critical input and collaboration for key school-wide events such as Grandparents Day, concerts, and graduation.

Marketing, Communications & Enrollment Collaboration

• Provide alignment and leadership across marketing, communications, and enrollment functions.
• Collaborate with the Head of School, faculty, and staff to tell compelling stories that demonstrate the transformational impact of a Calvin education.
• Ensure consistent, mission-centered messaging across all platforms and audiences.
• Collaborate with the Director of Enrollment to support recruitment, retention, and long-term engagement of families.

Team Leadership & Systems Management

• Lead, support, and evaluate Advancement team members, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture.
• Ensure effective use of data systems and reporting tools to inform strategy and measure progress.
• Establish clear processes, timelines, and accountability for advancement initiatives.

Board & Community Engagement

• Support the Head of School in working with board members on advancement-related initiatives.
• Prepare reports and updates on fundraising and engagement progress as requested.
• Represent Calvin Christian School with professionalism, warmth, and integrity in donor and community settings.

Additional Responsibilities

• Attend staff, committee, and special meetings as assigned.
• Maintain accurate documentation and records related to advancement activities.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned by the Head of School.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Director of Advancement provides leadership and oversight for:

• Director of Enrollment
• Director of Marketing & Communications
• Data & Systems Support
• Development Assistant

Essential Qualities

• A vibrant Christian faith and commitment to the lordship of Jesus Christ, evidenced by irreproachable Christian character and active membership in a local Christian church.
• A deep commitment to Christian education and to the mission, vision, and values of Calvin Christian School.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate vision, inspire generosity, and tell compelling stories of impact.
• Strong interpersonal and relational skills; approachable, professional, tactful, and confident with diverse constituencies.
• Proven leadership ability, including strategic thinking, team development, and cross-department collaboration.
• High standards of integrity and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and initiatives simultaneously.
• Proficiency with donor databases/CRMs, data systems (preferrably Bloomerang), and modern communication tools, with a willingness to learn new technologies.

Professional Expectations

At Calvin Christian School, how we work matters as much as what we do. The Director of Advancement is expected to:

• Maintain a positive attitude grounded in hope and humility.
• Show initiative, taking ownership and moving ideas forward.
• Demonstrate strong follow-through, getting things done with excellence.
• Represent the school with professionalism and credibility.
• Model a godly life, seeking to bring glory to God and blessing to others.
• Show thoughtful attention to detail, remembering people and commitments.
• Bring joy and gratitude to the work, believing it is an honor to serve in Christian education.

Education & Experience

• Bachelors degree required; Masters degree preferred (in nonprofit management, business, marketing, communications, or related field)
• 5+ years of advancement, development, or fundraising leadership experience
• Experience in Christian education, nonprofit, or faith-based organizations
• Demonstrated success in major gifts, annual giving, or campaigns
• Experience leading cross-functional teams.

Required Skills

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong storytelling ability across multiple formats and platforms.
• Working proficiency with tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, Mailchimp, and video editing software.
• Comfortable juggling multiple priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Experience with Word, Excel, and Google Workspace preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to speak clearly, hear, see, read, and move throughout campus.
• Regular use of hands for typing, photography, and handling materials.
• Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds.

Travel Requirements

• Occasional travel to churches, businesses, and community organizations.
• Typical office environment with moderate noise levels.
• This position is primarily on campus and requires regular in-person presence for meetings, events, and donor engagement. Limited flexibility for remote work may be available in alignment with school policy and role responsibilities.
• Occasional evenings or weekends may be required.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a typical office environment. Must be able to work in an open office setting with moderate noise levels.

Work from Home

When meaningful leadership and essential duties are performed, the day may be considered a partial workday without precise hour tracking.

As a general framework for shared understanding (not timesheets):

• On days where the Director of Advancement can reasonably engage in roughly half a day or more of focused work (even if broken into blocks), the day may be treated as a workday, with grace for interruptions.
• On days where caregiving significantly limits capacity and only minimal work (e.g., brief check-ins or urgent responses) is possible, the day should be recorded as sick/family leave.
• Remote work is not automatic. Remote work must be approved in advance by a supervisor, unless otherwise specified by role.
• Approval for remote work may be situational or short-term, depending on role responsibilities and operational needs ensuring no operational hardship or disruption.
• Employees working remotely are expected to remain accessible, responsive, and able to fulfill essential duties of their position.

Pay & Benefits

• This position is salary based and is eligible for benefits (403b, Self Care Time, Basic Life Insurance, Health and Vision). A cell phone will be provided or a monthly stipend offered. Salary ranges between $65,000-$80,000 commensurate with experience.

Required Hours

Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week. Note: non-traditional hours - occasional weekends and evenings may be required with availability by cellphone as urgent needs arise.

Calvin Christian School is open to students from homes where Christ is honored and served. No discrimination on the basis of race, sex, or national origin is made in the admission of students or the employment of staff.

FCRA: Calvin Christian School will ensure that all background checks are conducted in compliance with all applicable federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and all other applicable laws and regulations. The information that can be collected from previous employers and other sources will be limited to that which is lawful and job-related.