Careers

Title:  Head of Institutional Advancement

Classification:  Exempt

Department:  Institutional Advancement

Status:  Full-Time, 12 Month

Reports to:  Head of Schools 

School Description

Founded in Chicago in 1876, Sacred Heart Schools at Sheridan Road (Hardey Preparatory for Boys and Academy of the Sacred Heart for Girls) are independent, Catholic, single-sex elementary schools committed to academic excellence within the context of a Christian, faith-based community.  The educational mission is deeply rooted in the 200-year tradition of the Society of the Sacred Heart and shared with the Network of Sacred Heart Schools located in 30 countries; including 25 schools in the United States and Canada.  The essence of this tradition is the total development of each child: spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional and physical. Our girls and boys are taught in single-sex classrooms, but follow a similar curriculum and share in many activities.  With a total enrollment of approximately 650 students, the Schools are organized into three academic divisions each led by a division head.

Position Description

The offices of Admissions, Development and Marketing/Communications comprise Sacred Heart Schools’ Department of Institutional Advancement.  The Institutional Advancement team works collaboratively to build understanding and support of the Schools’ mission and programs, to invite families to join the school, and to secure resources to enhance the Schools and ensure its future. Collectively and individually, the team strives to model the values expressed in the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education.

Sacred Heart Schools requires a strong professional to lead the Schools’ institutional advancement programs. The School operates within the framework of an integrated advancement model focusing on both earned and contributed lines of revenue.  Candidates for the position should have a successful track record in driving philanthropic support, marketing and recruitment outcomes, and enrollment growth.  The Head of Institutional Advancement reports to the Head of Schools, is a member of the Senior Leadership Team, and interfaces with, supports, and advises various leadership and volunteer groups, including the Board of Trustees.  

Essential Job Functions:

• Casts a strategic vision for the Institutional Advancement Department, integrating enrollment, marketing/communications, constituent relations, and development functions in support of the Schools’ on-going mission and programs
• Provides collegial leadership and effective direction for the Institutional Advancement Team – the directors of Admissions, Marketing/Communications, and Development and their respective staffs – developing individual potential and superior teamwork and ensuring the best use of resources for achieving the Schools’ goals
• Develops annual and multi-year plans for the advancement of Sacred Heart Schools, identifying opportunities and challenges, and aligning Institutional Advancement activities with the strategic plan
• Ensures implementation of “best practice” policies as articulated by professional and accreditation organizations 
• Recommends annual enrollment and fundraising goals to Administration and Board of Trustees; monitors and reports progress toward achieving these goals; tracks all expenditures related to Institutional Advancement
• Engages Trustees, senior administrators, faculty, staff, and volunteers in consistent messaging and marketing of the Schools’ mission and programs
• Cultivates positive, long-lasting relationships with the Schools’ main constituencies -- current parents, past parents, former trustees and alumnae/i – to ensure strong support of the Schools’ mission and programs
• Promotes the visibility of the Schools with the general public -- prospective parents, neighbors, the media, and members of the Chicago philanthropic, educational, and Catholic communities -- to strengthen the Schools’ identity and position
• Serves as principal liaison and support to the Board of Trustees’ Development Committee and Enrollment Management Committees as well as supports the Governance Committee in Trustee and Committee nominations
• Represents the Schools to professional and membership organizations, including the Archdiocese of Chicago, various regional and national associations of independent and Catholic schools, and the Network of Sacred Heart Schools

        Supervision/Management 

• Recruits, manages, and supervises Admissions, Development and Marketing/Communications directors
• Ensures adherence to operational and strategic plan
• Provides annual reviews for Institutional Advancement directors and works with them to create professional development plans to enhance their skills 

Qualities and Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred. CFRE professional fundraising certification desired
• 10 years of relevant professional experience in advancement, enrollment management, communications, marketing, public relations, preferably in an educational or non-profit setting 
• At least 3 years of experience in a comparable senior leadership position with a broad and successful track record in fundraising, marketing, communications, and admissions
• Commitment to Catholic education and ability to authentically speak to the value of an independent, Catholic education
• Strong project management skills; demonstrated ability to manage multiple and complex tasks with hard deadlines 
• Excellent writing, editorial, and proofreading skills 
• Excellent computer skills using Microsoft Office
• Ability to work in fast-paced environment 
• Ability to occasionally work remotely in evenings/weekends 

Characteristics of Success: 

• Warm and welcoming, collegial, steady, and mature; works positively with parents, alumni, and children from a wide variety of backgrounds; outwardly reflects the school’s mission, culture, and values 
• Organized, energetic, personable, motivational, communicates and listens well, diplomatic, forward-thinking 
• Manages confidential material respectfully and handles private information with discretion and tact 
• Commitment to Catholic education and comfortability in expressing its value 
• A strong work ethic, highly motivated and self-directed, and excellent organizational and time management skills; attention to detail and accuracy 
• A leader and problem solver that can think through projects step-by-step to design easily understood workflows 
• Ability to work independently as well as manage and motivate a team
• Commitment to positive Board, Committee and Leadership Team relations, and engagement

To Apply

Apply directly at the Schools’ website (www.shschicago.org) in the Career Opportunities section, submitting a cover letter and resume.