Director of Advancement

Director of Advancement

Marian High School
Mishawaka, Indiana

About Marian HighSchool

Marian High School in Mishawaka, Indiana, is seeking its next Director of Advancement: a strategic leader for the school's philanthropic initiatives and community outreach who will also help lead an emerging capital campaign.

On September 4, 1964, Marian High School opened its doors, marking the beginning of Catholic secondary education in Mishawaka. Under the direction of the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend, the school welcomed a first freshman class of 131 boys and 108 girls, taught by 12 faculty members. In the more than 60 years since, Marian has served over 9,000 students from Mishawaka, South Bend, Granger, Goshen, Elkhart, Plymouth and beyond. Today, Marian is a faithful and faith-filled coeducational Catholic college-preparatory school, inspired by the witness of the Sisters of Saint Francis of Perpetual Adoration and guided by its patroness, Our Lady of Lourdes. Its community lives out three words: Learn. Serve. Lead.

Mission: Marian High School challenges students to spiritual and moral growth, academic and physical excellence, and social maturity. As a Catholic community, Marian values the sanctity and individuality of each student and strives to live the example of Jesus Christ as teacher and servant.

Marian enrolls more than 730 students on a 72-acre campus and has more than 100 faculty and staff. Students benefit from a 16:1 student-teacher ratio, 51 dual-credit and 18 AP courses, more than 40 student clubs and organizations, and the Knights athletics program. Marian has a 100% graduation rate. The Class of 2025 earned more than $20 million in scholarships and 5,554 college credits.

To learn more about this remarkable school community, please visit marianhs.org.

About the Director of Advancement Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Principal, the Director of Advancement will serve as the strategic leader for Marian's philanthropic initiatives and community outreach. As a key member of the school's leadership team, the Director will oversee fundraising, alumni engagement, major-donor development and donor stewardship, supporting and advancing the school's Catholic educational mission and vision as well as the Marian Way.

The Director will lead a committed team that includes a development services specialist, a director of alumni affairs and a director of major giving. In partnership with the Principal and the Advisory Board, the Director will also provide leadership, strategy and implementation for the school's emerging capital campaign.

The ideal candidate will be a practicing Catholic with successful experience in fundraising or institutional advancement, preferably within an educational or faith-based institution. The Director should bring a proven ability to build relationships with donors, cultivate major gifts and run successful fundraising campaigns, along with experience leading advancement professionals. Capital campaign experience is a plus. The Director will speak authentically about faith and Marian's mission, and will engage warmly with alumni, longtime families and new supporters from a range of backgrounds. Above all, the next Director will pair a deep commitment to Catholic mission with advancement expertise, a gift for building relationships and the discipline to turn strategy into results.

Key Areas of Impact:

• Mission-Driven Advancement Leadership: Support and advance Marian's Catholic educational mission, vision and the Marian Way, ensuring that fundraising initiatives align with the school's long-term goals.
• Capital Campaign & Fundraising Strategy: Develop and execute strategic fundraising initiatives, including the annual fund, capital campaigns, planned giving, endowment growth, grant writing and major gifts. Build a sustainable pipeline of annual, major, planned and campaign gifts. Partner with the Principal and committees to provide leadership, strategy and implementation for the emerging capital campaign.
• Major Gifts & Donor Stewardship: Cultivate and steward relationships with alumni, parents, donors, corporations, foundations and community partners. Oversee donor stewardship, with personalized engagement plans that recognize and cultivate major donors and long-term supporters.
• Alumni Engagement: Build stronger relationships with Marian’s graduates, share alumni stories and create meaningful opportunities for alumni to reconnect and give back.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead and supervise a team of three to five people responsible for advancement services, alumni engagement, the annual fund, community engagement and events, and major giving. Clarify responsibilities, set clear goals and measure progress against them. Provide mentorship and foster a culture of collaboration, professional development and high performance.
• Executive & Board Collaboration: Work with the Principal and Advisory Board to shape fundraising strategy and drive donor engagement. Prepare and present regular reports on fundraising progress, donor engagement and strategic initiatives, and support board members and volunteers in their fundraising efforts through guidance and training.
• Data, Systems & Operations: Use donor analytics, financial data and industry best practices to improve fundraising effectiveness and donor retention. Manage the philanthropy and engagement office budget, and lead the planning, execution and evaluation of campaigns and alumni and donor recognition programs.
• Vision & Storytelling: Articulate an ambitious case for support for Marian's future, connecting the school's priorities to clear and compelling opportunities for donors. Collaborate with the marketing and communications team to craft messaging and outreach strategies that align with office goals and maintain a strong, cohesive brand identity.

Qualifications:

A bachelor's degree is required, and an advanced degree is preferred. Candidates should bring strong leadership and team-management skills, exceptional written and verbal communication skills, and experience with CRM operation and use. They should also be able to articulate Marian's mission and vision in a way that is both persuasive and consistent with the Marian Way.

While the position prospectus is being created, interested candidates are encouraged to contact Evan Wescott directly to learn more about this exciting opportunity.

The Search Committee is on a fast track to identify and secure Marian High School's next Director of Advancement. All inquiries and applications will be treated with the highest degree of confidentiality and respect. Candidates are expected to be available to assume the responsibilities of the position in January 2027.

Evan Wescott

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