Associate Director of Advancement Operations and Annual Fund

Description

Reports to: Vice President of Advancement

Classification: Exempt | Full Time | 2080 Hours Annually

Position Summary: The Associate Director of Advancement Operations and Annual Fund is a strategic and operational leader within the Advancement Office, responsible for driving donor engagement, stewardship, data integrity, annual giving performance, and prospect pipeline development. This role integrates three critical advancement functions: prospect management, donor services, and annual giving, to build a strong philanthropic foundation and ensure an exceptional donor experience. The Associate Director leads strategy for annual fundraising, oversees gift processing and reporting, and strengthens the prospect pipeline through research and portfolio management. Reporting to the VP of Advancement, the Associate Director collaborates closely with the Advancement, Finance, and Communications teams to support fundraising goals, promote a culture of philanthropy, and advance the school’s mission.

Mission:

• Acts in a manner consistent with the mission and teachings of the Catholic Church, the Mission and Heritage of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, and the Mission, Values, and beliefs of Magnificat High School.
• Works to build a respectful, inclusive, and equitable, community with students, colleagues, parents, and others where all students feel respected, valued, and can thrive.
• Respects the racial, ethnic, religious, and socio-economic diversity of all students, faculty and staff.
• Utilizes a student-centered approach in collaboration with all community members to develop and support programming in alignment with the school’s Mission, Values, and goals.
• Employs a restorative approach in developing and maintaining relationships with students, families, and staff.

Major Responsibilities:

Prospect Management & Research 

• Lead the strategy and execution of prospect identification, qualification, and portfolio management for major and leadership gift officers.
• Build and maintain a robust prospect pipeline through data analysis, wealth screening, and research tools.
• Develop and manage systems for moves management, prospect assignment, and portfolio review.
• Prepare comprehensive research profiles, briefings for donor meetings, and data for board or leadership use.
• Conduct proactive research to uncover new prospects among alumnae, parents, grandparents, past parents, and friends.
• Produce reports and analytics on pipeline activity, gift officer productivity, and fundraising trends.
• Donor Services & Stewardship
• Oversee accurate, timely gift processing, donor acknowledgments, tax receipts, and pledge management.
• Ensure high-quality stewardship touchpoints, donor recognition, and impact reporting.
• Handle matching gifts, tribute gifts, recurring giving, and donor inquiries.
• Maintain compliance with gift acceptance policies, fundraising regulations, and audit requirements.
• Manage donor acknowledgment processes involving school leadership, board members, and gift officers.
• Create and manage an annual stewardship plan to strengthen donor retention.
• Annual Fund Strategy & Execution
• Develop a comprehensive annual giving plan that increases participation and revenue across all constituencies.
• Manage segmented outreach for alumnae, parents, past parents, faculty/staff, grandparents, and friends.
• Lead Giving Day planning and execution, digital giving campaigns, phonathons/taxations, and peer-to-peer engagement.
• Collaborate with Communications to develop compelling appeal messaging and marketing materials.
• Monitor results, provide analytics, and recommend data-driven adjustments to improve performance.
• Support volunteer fundraising and class/parent ambassador programs (if applicable).
• Data & CRM Administration
• Serve as lead administrator for Raiser’s Edge/NXT.
• Ensure data accuracy, coding consistency, segmentation.
• Oversee queries, lists, reports, dashboards, and imports/exports.
• Maintain prospect research resources, wealth screening integrations, and reporting tools.

Other Responsibilities

Completes other duties as assigned.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a typical school office environment, which may involve frequent interaction with students, staff, and parents, as well as vendors and donors.
• Regular activities include walking, sitting, standing, talking, listening, and engaging in face-to-face and phone communication.
• Requires frequent reading, writing, and use of fine motor skills for handling office tasks such as managing correspondence, completing forms, filing documents, faxing, copying, and typing.
• Visual focus and attention to detail are essential for reviewing documents, data entry, and operating office equipment.
• Frequent use of computers and telephones is required throughout the day.
• Occasionally may need to bend at the waist or knees or reach above shoulder level to retrieve files or access items stored on shelves.
• Ability to lift or carry moderately heavy items, such as boxes of paper or office supplies (typically up to 20 pounds), on occasion.
• Ability to work extended days, evenings and weekends as needed. 

Magnificat High School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expressions, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor's degree required

Work Experience:  

• Minimum 5 years of experience in fundraising, prospect research, donor services, or annual giving (preferably in education or nonprofits), required.
• Expertise with Raiser’s Edge/NXT or similar CRM; experience with wealth screening tools preferred.

Knowledge:

• Expertise with Raiser’s Edge/NXT or similar CRM; experience with wealth screening tools preferred.

Skills and Competencies: 

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, produce insights, and guide strategy.
• Excellent writing, communication, and project-management abilities.
• High attention to detail, accuracy, confidentiality, and ethical fundraising practices.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities.
• Commitment to confidentiality, accuracy and mission driven-fundraising.

Qualities: 

• Strong belief in, and respect for, the Mission of Magnificat High School and the School’s values: Humility, Lifelong Learning, Collaboration, Compassion, Respect, Commitment, and Faith-Filled Life.

Required clearances for employment:

BCI/FBI fingerprinting check

Virtus Training

References Checked