Director of Mission Advancement
(Remote Optional)
Position
Description
African
Sisters Education Collaborative Mission and Programs
African Sisters Education
Collaborative (“ASEC”) was founded in 1999 as a non-profit organization in Scranton,Pennsylvania, by four Catholic colleges and four congregations of Catholic religious Sisters. ASEC educates Catholic sisters in ten African countries,providing them with knowledge and skills that empower them to profoundly impact their communities and society. ASEC administers five programs in Africa and has served over 8,000 Sisters and students.
While ASEC’s programs are run locally in Africa, this position can be remote, with occasional travel to ASEC’s headquarters based in Scranton, Pennsylvania, at Marywood University. ASEC is led by an Executive Director and governed by a volunteer, non-paid Board of Directors.
Throughout ASEC’s history, its work has been supported by generous individual, corporate, and foundation donors, with a large percentage of its funding coming from one source. ASEC is currently undertaking a major gifts initiative to ensure our path to sustainability. As part of this initiative, ASEC seeks to largely broaden its donor base, including both individual and corporate/foundation funders. Additionally, ASEC seeks to strengthen its ongoing major gifts, grants, annual stewardship, fundraising events, and community engagement, which are the heart and soul of support for a non-profit organization.
Purpose and Scope of the Position
To support ASEC in its mission, the Director of Mission Advancement will be directly responsible for successfully leading, expanding, and implementing a comprehensive advancement program. In collaboration with the Executive Director and Board of Directors, the Director of Mission Advancement will develop new relationships while maintaining and growing existing ones and building the organization’s visibility, impact, and philanthropic resources. The Director will be responsible for raising private, corporate, and foundation funding to support ASEC’s initiatives that provide access to education for women religious in Africa while leading the development and implementation of organization-wide strategies to increase fundraising capacity. Additionally, this position will be responsible and accountable for leading ASEC’s major gifts initiative, The Path to Sustainability.
The ideal candidate has advancement experience while motivating others (e.g. donors, staff, volunteers, and community leaders) in advancing its mission through their meaningful contribution of gifts and talents, as well as a proven track record in soliciting and securing major gifts, and building productive relationships with a variety of constituents.
Additionally, the Director of Mission Advancement will be responsible for major and planned gifts, donor stewardship, volunteer cultivation, corporate philanthropic support, constituent communications, and social media functions for Advancement. The Director of Mission Advancement reports to the Executive Director.
Overview:
Philanthropic Revenue and Institutional Advancement
- Spearhead The Path to Sustainability major gifts initiative, a comprehensive program of identification, cultivation, and stewardship of leadership and major gift prospects with a goal of securing $2 million in order to unlock a $3 million challenge/matching grant
- Beyond the major gifts’ initiative, create and lead an annual giving program to raise a minimum of $1 million annually through individuals, foundations, corporate support and grants
- Create a coordinated communication plan,
including print and digital tools to advance the philanthropic message,
motivate giving, and demonstrate gift impact - Partner with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to articulate institutional needs and lead the growth and implementation of the advancement strategy
Specific Responsibilities
Major/ Capital and Planned Gifts
- Identify prospects for transformational and leadership support through philanthropy and engagement, and maintain a Moves Management plan for prospective major donors
- Establish a planned gift program through marketing and individualized promotion
- Conduct one-on-one and/or small group meetings with prospects and donors
- Explore and pursue opportunities to develop major gifts from African sources – individuals, corporations and foundations
Management Team, Board and Committee Guidance
- Work closely with the Executive Director and Board to steward and deepen existing relationships and cultivate new advocates and supporters.
- Attend Board and committee meetings and report on advancement activities, as requested
- Serve as a visible ambassador for ASEC and articulate its mission to external constituents;
Internal Management and Infrastructure
- Train, manage and mentor volunteers, and
support staff in donor cultivation and professional fundraising techniques
to ensure support of the organization’s revenue growth goals. - Effectively oversee the development office’s
day-to-day operations, as well as budget and income forecasts - Plan Special Event activities including
event logistics and identifying and soliciting major sponsors - Ensure consistent messaging and branding
in all print and digital donor communication - Partner with the finance and accounting
staff to sustain efficient, effective and transparent financial tracking
and reporting processes - Develop clear processes and collaborate
with all other departments within ASEC to create an understanding of and
appreciation for the advancement function.
Foundation & Grants
- Guide the research, proposal and follow-up strategy for outreach to foundations and corporations
Additional Job Functions
- Perform other position-related duties as necessary and/or as assigned by the Executive Director
Attributes:
- Desire to foster an environment of cohesiveness
and collaboration - Ability to support and motivate wide
range of individuals – staff and volunteers – on all levels - Strong organizational skills including
goal setting, prioritization and team management - Proactive ability network and cultivate relationships
- Exceptional communication and influencing skills: persuasive, credible and polished in both verbal and written communications
- Creative, independent, and strategic thinker
- Self-starter with a proven ability to meet and complete multiple tasks with solid deadlines
- A commitment to supporting the mission and Catholic values of ASEC
Qualifications:
- BA (required); MA (preferred)
- Professional certification (CFRE), a plus
- Catholic or having a good understanding of the Catholic Church
- A minimum of three to five years in planning and administering advancement programs
- Demonstrated fundraising success within a comprehensive advancement program
- Previous engagement and collaboration with both staff and Board members
- Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office, and CRM software
- Evening/weekend work occasionally required as well as travel for meetings
- Valid driver’s license
Salary and Benefits:
- Full complement of competitive benefits
- Salary commensurate with experience
Position Location and Other Information:
- This position can be remote, with preference of residency in the Northeast region. Full-time work requires collaboration with other team members during normal business hours in Eastern Time Zone and will be required to travel occasionally to ASEC’s headquarters in Scranton, PA for meetings and events.
- Remote arrangements will be reviewed annually and are based on performance.
To Apply
This search is being conducted by the Executive Search Division of Ruotolo Associates Inc. Inquiries regarding this position are strictly confidential and should be directed to: [email protected]. Interested applicants are requested to submit a resume and cover letter
with salary range. References will be requested of all finalists but may be submitted along with resume and cover letter.
African Sisters Education Collaborative is an equal-opportunity
employer.