Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VPIA)

The organization's core purpose is to equip saints for life in this world and the next.

Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VPIA)

Father Judge High School for Boys

3301 Solly Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19136

Father Judge High School is in the midst of implementing a comprehensive Strategic Plan and a $20M Capital Campaign that places the conversation about philanthropy and development as the top priority of the President’s Office. Father Judge High School is aggressively investing in the sciences, athletics, and career pathway opportunities for its students while keeping a laser focus on mission, sustainability, and affordability. After 70 years of serving the Philadelphia Region as a premier Catholic High School, Father Judge is evolving with an eye on the next 70 years of service to the community as it helps young men “be who they are and be that well” in the image of its patron St. Francis DeSales.

About the Position

Father Judge High School seeks an experienced, highly motivated, goal-oriented, and energetic fundraiser with a proven track record of closing annual and major gifts, and exceeding measurable performance goals. The VPIA reports directly to and works hand in hand with the President of Father Judge High School.

The VPIA will join and lead an existing team focused on advancing a donor-centric mission. The VPIA will have the ability to work with the president to evaluate and build out a vibrant Development team. This Development team will enthusiastically, creatively, and strategically increase philanthropy, donor engagement and accelerate current momentum to help Father Judge High School achieve goals associated to its ongoing Capital Campaign and Annual Fund.

Expectations of the FJHS School Community are that the candidate is a professional with a highly collaborative spirit, strong communication and relationship-building skills that possess a forward-thinking approach, the ability to relate to multiple constituencies, and above all can represent Father Judge High School with tact, diplomacy, and passion. The successful candidate will be able to convey enthusiasm for the Salesian mission and the role this iconic institution has played in Catholic education in the Philadelphia Region over the last 70 years.  The candidate will work with the President to be able to convey detailed knowledge and passion about Father Judge High School’s top priorities, student successes, and the impact of donor investing.

The VPIA works in consultation and in close coordination with school leadership to design and implement a comprehensive development program to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects and donors for major gifts in support of Father Judge High School’s top priorities. The VPIA works in a collegial and supportive manner with colleagues and donors to maximize giving to Father Judge High School and coordinates with The Crusader Annual Fund, The Campaign for 3301 (Capital Campaign), tax credit giving, corporate and foundational grants, and planned giving efforts. The VPIA will oversee all facets of marketing and communication strategies utilizing print/web/social media to drive alumni engagement, development opportunities, stewardship of donor, and all related protocols to implement and ensure effective recognition of philanthropic support.

Responsibilities:

• Coordination with President to develop a comprehensive understanding of the educational, professional development, facility’s needs, financial goals, and strategic initiatives of Father Judge High School.
• Secure major gifts and cultivate future major donors by developing a moves management pipeline whereas a comprehensive process of identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, recognition, and stewardship of support is in constant motion/process.
• Build and manage a portfolio of key/critical individuals who are believed capable of making substantial commitments to FJHS based on giving patterns, prospect research, and other indicators. This portfolio will evolve steadily as individuals are brought to closure, referred to other development officers, or dropped from the portfolio for lack of capacity or inclination.
• Maintains an active schedule of pre-planned face-to-face meetings with current and prospective donors monthly.
• Prepare and present quarterly to the President and Board key metrics that show progress toward goal.
• Develop a network of Alumni and regional professionals that provide referrals/connections to individuals/foundations/corporations whose have capacity to support school initiatives.
• Develop and promote a Planned Giving Program. Constituencies may include alumni, parents, family, friends, etc.
• Steward donors through ongoing communications, recognition activities, invitations to key events, and interaction with beneficiaries of their support.
• Follows Office of Development’s procedures regarding prospect management and documenting contacts. Responsible for oversight and submission of all relative fundraising reports, statistics, projections, and publications.
• Work with the President’s Office and the Friends of Father Judge High School Inc., (501c3) to ensure proper designation and reconciliation of all gifts in Raisers Edge NXT.
• Has oversight responsibility for Major Gifts Officer and Director of Alumni Relations positions.
• Other duties as assigned by the President’s Office.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree and 3-8 years of professional experience in development, with a strong working knowledge of the principles and practices of major gifts in education or comparable complex organization.

• Highly motivated self-starter who is engaging, resilient, and resourceful with the ability to work independently, as well as part of a team.
• Excellent ability to set priorities, plan long-term, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and perform in a fast-paced environment to meet deadlines.
• Detail oriented with a methodical approach to work.
• Superb analytical thinking skills with ability to assess situations and react appropriately.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills.
• Understanding of business implications of decisions and ability to align work with strategic goals.
• Skilled at relationship management, collaborating with colleagues, and encouraging and facilitating open communication.
• Ability to liaise in a professional manner with all levels of staff, management, donors, and external contacts.
• A willingness to work evenings and weekends as required.
• Attend Father Judge High School sponsored events as required.
• Solid working knowledge of fundraising databases, preferably Raisers Edge NXT.
• Highly skilled at MS Office Suite and Google Apps.

The ideal candidate will possess the following additional qualifications:

• Major gift fundraising experience
• Marketing and presentation skills
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships

Candidates interested in the position of Vice President for Institutional Advancement should submit their cover letter, resume and salary requirements to Brian Patrick King ‘97, President at bking@fatherjudge.com

The deadline for application is December 5, 2023.

Interviews will be granted to the most qualified applicants.

PA required clearances and Safe Environment Certification and official transcripts will be required before employment can begin.

As a religious organization, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is also bound by Canon Law and Catholic teachings.  For this reason, there may be occasions when an employee’s failure to adhere to the truths of the Catholic faith are a factor in employment-related decisions.  In the event an employee fails to adhere to, or takes a position publicly that is contrary to, Catholic doctrine and teachings, or any policy or procedure maintained by the Archdiocese, the employee may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

Employment practices will not be influenced by an individual’s legally protected status, or any other basis as may be required by local, state and/or federal law as those laws apply to the Archdiocese. 

Any employee with questions or concerns about any type of discrimination in the workplace is encouraged to bring these issues to the attention of Human Resources.  Employees can raise concerns and make reports without fear of reprisal.  Anyone found to be engaging in any type of unlawful discrimination will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applications without regards to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact the Office of Catholic Education at 215-587-3700.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

In keeping with Church teachings on social justice, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity.  This policy governs all aspects of employment, including but not limited to hiring, job selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, benefits and access to training.

As a religious organization, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is also bound by Canon Law and Catholic teachings.  For this reason, there may be occasions when an employee’s failure to adhere to the truths of the Catholic faith are a factor in employment-related decisions.  In the event an employee fails to adhere to, or takes a position publicly that is contrary to, Catholic doctrine and teachings, or any policy or procedure maintained by the Archdiocese, the employee may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

Employment practices will not be influenced by an individual’s legally protected status or any other basis as may be required by local, state and/or federal law as those laws apply to the Archdiocese. 

Any employee with questions or concerns about any type of discrimination in the workplace is encouraged to bring these issues to the attention of Human Resources.  Employees can raise concerns and make reports without fear of reprisal.  Anyone found to be engaging in any type
of unlawful discrimination will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment