Director of Development (MND)

Mount Notre Dame (MND), the premier all-girl Catholic high school in Cincinnati, seeks a dynamic, talented, and strategic leader to serve as our next Director of Development. This full-time,12-month senior administrator role reports directly to the President, serves on the school’s senior administrative team, and liaises with various parent and board committees. The Director is responsible for maintaining a major gift culture and a culture of philanthropy throughout the MND community. 

Mount Notre Dame (MND), the premier all-girl Catholic high school in Cincinnati, seeks a dynamic, talented, and strategic leader to serve as our next Director of Development. This full-time,12-month senior administrator role reports directly to the President, serves on the school’s senior administrative team, and liaises with various parent and board committees. The Director is responsible for creating a major gift culture and a culture of philanthropy throughout the MND community. This involves envisioning and executing a comprehensive development program, including the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship activities of financial benefactors through the Annual Fund, general endowment and scholarships, events and specific campaigns. The position also includes the engagement of alumnae and the development of a sustainable alumnae program.

The Director of Development is responsible for the overall financial goals of the department and manages a professional staff of six direct reports.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provides the leadership and road-map necessary for the Mount Notre Dame Development Team to meet its goals. Cultivates a culture of collaboration and communication among the development team, mentoring and guiding staff members with clear goals and
• Oversees the day-to-day operations of the development office, including the effectiveness and efficiencies of all processes and systems, the accuracy of donor histories and gift reporting, and the timeliness of stewardship.
• Develops a culture of philanthropy through the development of a comprehensive educational and solicitation process within all constituencies.
• Stays abreast of current trends and development
• Ensures that the President, trustees and the Board Development Committee are informed with accurate and timely financial reports regarding all Development activities and progress toward Attends regular board meetings five times a year.
• Creates a sustainable alumnae program with the opportunity to strengthen connections with alumnae and alumnae parents by developing multiple and varied avenues through which graduates and their families can engage with MND and with each other.
• Develops and executes strategies to foster relationships with alumnae, parents, and the school in a sense of shared experience and common purpose.
• Manages the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals, families and corporate partners with the capacity to give to MND.
• Develops a moves management system, with emphasis on management and development of portfolios.
• Sets direction for annual fund, fundraising events, endowment and scholarships, campaigns and alumnae relations.
• Ensures all development volunteers are given clear expectations and the training and tools necessary to fulfill their role and support the school’s fundraising goals.
• Effectively uses Raiser’s Edge Analytics, LinkedIn and other prospect research
• Provides the President with opportunities to engage and solicit a select group of donors and donor prospects and provides her the information needed to make effective
• Works with Major Gift Officers to develop an effective timeline of activities for Annual Giving, Scholarship and Planned Giving campaigns.
• Manages the processes of donor cultivation, solicitation, and appropriate follow-up, and stewardship for annual giving, alumnae giving, special events and other advancement
• Creates the annual operating plan for development activities of MND and oversees their execution to ensure achievement of the School’s philanthropic revenue goals, while managing the annual budget.
• Monitors the Development policies regularly (e.g., Gift Acceptance Policy, Events )
• Maintains ongoing communication and an effective partnership with the business
• Partners closely with the Director of Marketing and Communications to maintain accurate and consistent messaging to both internal and external constituencies regarding MND’s mission, vision, values, accomplishments, and case for support. Additionally, collaborate efficiently for development publications, including the annual report, and the school magazine.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required and a minimum of five years demonstrated fundraising experience, preferably in non-profits.
• A strategic and systems-oriented thinker who sees the “big picture” and possesses the organizational skills, attention to detail, follow through, and high standards for ethics and excellence necessary to balance the externally facing responsibilities of the Director of Development role with effective day-to-day management of the development effort.
• An executive whose combination of gravitas, confidence, intellect, warmth, and genuine care for others allows him/her both to command an audience and to build and sustain individual relationships with a wide variety of constituents.
• A team-oriented manager who sets clear goals, delegates to and empowers staff and volunteers, generates a sense of ownership, and maintains ultimate accountability for
• Represent the school in the larger community in a positive manner that reflects the values of MND and participate enthusiastically in school activities whenever possible.
• Exceptional communication skills to effectively and compellingly communicate the Mount Notre Dame mission, values, and vision.
• Ability to maintain high confidentiality and
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Experience working with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge is strongly preferred.
• Roman Catholic preferred. 

Mount Notre Dame is a Catholic, college-preparatory high school for young women founded in 1860 by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. MND educates young women from more than 65 zip codes, representing over 100 different grade schools. MND continues to carry on a strong tradition of educational excellence with an average enrollment of 650 students and over 11,000 alumnae. MND seeks to recruit, develop and retain the most talented faculty and staff from a diverse candidate pool. Our goal is to build a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills and to reflect the learning community we serve.

To apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume to Michelle Robinson, President at mrobinson@mndhs.org.