Nerinx Hall High School
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
Nerinx Hall (“Nerinx”) is a private, independent, Catholic, college-preparatory high school for young women in grades 9-12. Founded in 1924 by the Sisters of Loretto, Nerinx Hall is dedicated to cultivating empowered young women who pursue academic excellence within a diverse community, forge a path towards social justice, and grow in knowledge of themselves and their world. Exemplifying the pioneering spirit of the Loretto community, Nerinx deeply values the diversity of backgrounds and perspectives and promotes self-expression, self-awareness, and Christian leadership. Visit us at www.nerinxhall.org.
In fearless pursuit of strategic goals, Nerinx launched a $16.5M capital campaign with early success, enabling new ground-up construction of the Frane Family STEM Center, featuring four science labs, a lab prep room, and a science concourse with collaborative learning spaces for Nerinx’s 650-member student base. Learn more about Nerinx’s centennial campaign here.
Looking ahead, Nerinx seeks an equally fearless Director of Advancement to spearhead the final phase of the current capital campaign while building a multi-year strategy and a high-performing fund development team in-house. Reporting to the school’s president, the Director of Donor Engagement will serve as a key member of Nerinx’s senior team and drive all efforts to engage, cultivate, and steward a fearless culture of giving with both current and future generations of Nerinx donors.
YOUR MISSION AS DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT
· ADVANCE THE MISSION [Fundraising Strategist] – Serve as a key member of Nerinx’s senior team, collaborating closely with Nerinx’s President and its Board of Directors, while facilitating frequent communication on all relevant fundraising and development initiatives. Design and implement a multi-year development strategy, including leadership of all current capital campaign, major donor, annual and planned giving, alumnae relations, endowment, scholarships, and event efforts.
· BUILD & STRUCTURE A HIGH-PERFORMING FUND DEVELOPMENT TEAM [Team Leadership] – Lead and align a small yet mighty team of 3+ development professionals who oversee events, planned giving, and database management. Forecast functional team needs, clarify team roles, and define best team structure to achieve multi-year goals. Create a collaborative culture that promotes teamwork, trust, transparency, and accountability. Foster professional development and evaluate performance while encouraging the team to serve as donor ambassadors for the Nerinx mission.
· BUILD AND IMPLEMENT BEST PRACTICES FOR DONOR ENGAGEMENT [Portfolio Management & Data Integrity] – Recommend and establish policies, processes, and KPIs/metrics for donor engagement including effective portfolio and moves management, prospect research, database management (Raiser’s Edge), donor stewardship and recognition cadences, and creative giving opportunities to ensure successful ongoing donor engagement.
· INNOVATE TO EXPAND ORGANIZATIONAL RESOURCES [Diversify Funding Streams] – Identify opportunities to diversify funding streams to ensure Nerinx remains financially accessible for all students. Evaluate and pursue grant opportunities, corporate partnerships and matching gifts, and/or community partnerships to drive innovation in fund development.
IS THIS A MATCH FOR YOU?
· You have a strong passion for the mission of Nerinx, including the importance of spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and physical development in young women, and an appreciation of Catholic values and private education.
· You have gained 7-10+ years of progressive leadership experience, including a demonstrated record of success in the development of people, processes, and organizational resources. Experience must include 2+ years of leadership for a team of direct reports, including an ability to inspire and motivate, to manage conflict, and, to foster a healthy organizational culture through teamwork and collaboration.
· Your experience includes a proven track record and/or aptitude for identifying key resources and developing funds. Familiarity with best practices in annual giving, endowments, capital campaigns, scholarship funds, alumnae relations, events, grants, and major gifts is strongly preferred.
· You are well-versed in proactively communicating with internal and external stakeholders. You confidently interact with team members at all levels and react with diplomacy and tact. You bring experience communicating a vision and prospective road map to key stakeholders and community constituents.
· You are a servant-leader with the ability and desire to flex between strategic and tactical priorities required. Superior project management skills and a proactive mindset is required.
· You have developed a solid business acumen, including strong technology skills and a data-driven approach to development. Four-year college degree required. Advanced degree and/or CFRE certification preferred. Experience with Raiser’s Edge or similar industry technology is also preferred.
WHY JOIN US?
· MAKE A FOREVER IMPACT– Build the future of Nerinx through the creation of long-term financial security, ensuring that generations of young women will be prepared to use their gifts to serve others. We are seeking a leader who enjoys building, coaching and partnering with a wide array of internal and external stakeholders to make a forever impact.
· BUILD AN INNOVATIVE ADVANCEMENT TEAM – You will lead with the freedom to build, innovate, and guide the school’s development team and funding strategies with creativity and best practices to achieve success in mission advancement.
· PASSIONATE TEAM & ALUMNAE BASE – You will join a team whose passion parallels that of Nerinx alumnae. The development team is poised to use its talents and best practices in support of Nerinx’s mission.
· COMPETITIVE COMPENSATION PACKAGE – Nerinx offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including 80%-paid medical and fully-paid dental insurance for each individual employee; 403(b) matching program; PTO, holiday, and sick time; and tuition benefits for dependents at Nerinx and at select Catholic high schools.
LOCATION & TRAVEL
This position must be based on-site in St. Louis, Missouri. The position will collaborate with the local team and partner closely with school leadership, key donors, and other stakeholders. Evening and weekend events and minimal travel are required.
READY TO APPLY?
Upload your resume via LinkedIn or at www.occhiosearch.com. Please direct all questions, referrals, and applications to our retained search consultants at Occhio Search & Recruitment. Contact Sarah Krueger (sarah@occhiosearch.com) and Hannah Phillips (Hannah@occhiosearch.com) with questions. All resumes, referrals and inquiries will be held strictly confidential.
