Director of Development

Dominican Academy Director of Development
Since 1897, Dominican Academy has been educating young women in the Catholic tradition of Saint Dominic, offering a rigorous academic program distinguished by a firm commitment to values of truth, integrity, prayer, community, and service. As a Catholic, all-honors high school previously sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Peace located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, Dominican Academy challenges and empowers young women to become spiritual, intellectual, moral, and socially responsible leaders in a global society. Dominican Academy is proud of its current association with Dominican Veritas Ministries, a broad coalition of Dominican-sponsored ministries.
Position Overview: Reporting directly to the President, the Director of Development's primary responsibility is the sharing of the vision, mission, and values of Dominican Academy (D.A.) through the planning, structure and implementation of the school's expansive development program. The Director provides leadership and strategic direction in telling D.A.'s story to our benefactors, families, alumnae, and the greater community.
In close partnership with the President, the Director is well-versed in understanding and articulating our mission and the lived experience of our four Dominican Pillars (Study, Service, Community and Prayer) and the Dominican Charism. The Director will work closely and collaboratively with the President, Development Office team members, Vice President for Finance, and members of the Board of Trustees to further the mission and financial future of the school, informed by data and relying on creativity and strong relationships to accomplish the school's ambitious fundraising goals.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic visioning and planning
● In partnership with the President, leads the visioning of D.A.'s mission advancement efforts, including goal setting, prioritization of work, and strategic engagement with the Board of Trustees.
● Guides the President in successful engagement with D.A.'s major donors, creative relationship building and fundraising, and a solutions-based approach to meeting D.A.'s ambitious fundraising goals.
● Engages with and assists with implementing strategic planning to advance and meet the short and long-term goals of the school.
● Works constructively on behalf of the President and the Board, preparing reports that track D.A.'s
progress against school-wide development goals.
● Attend Board board meetings and serve as a trusted liaison between the Development Committee Chair, the President, and other Board members.
● Develop a long-range plan and annual goals for the Development Office, working closely with the VP of Finance.
● Implements effective KPIs, metrics, etc. for understanding team progress against school-wide fundraising goals.
● Prepares and manages the budget for the functions of the Development Office.
● Assumes and implements additional duties and responsibilities that may be delegated, from time to time, by the President.
Team management and implementation
● Manages and implements all aspects of D.A.'s development plan, including major gifts, annual appeal, grant writing, alumnae engagement, and special events.
● Supervises daily operations for a comprehensive development program, including the identification, cultivation, solicitation, maintenance and recognition of major gift donor prospects, and planned and annual giving donors.
● Oversees development activities for foundation giving, including grant writing, budget development, coordination of all funder contacts, and grant follow-up.
● Ensures appropriate use of the school's donor database to inform team priorities and engagement with donors.
● Ensures accurate gift recording and acknowledgement processes, with a focus on timely data management and supportive response.
● Collaborates with the communications team in the writing, editing, and production of development publications and social media (i.e., the alumnae magazine, annual report, and annual appeals).
● Directs the programming for alumnae engagement and special events.
● Supervises and evaluates Development Office team members.
Fundraising
● Maintains responsibility for a unique portfolio of donor relationships, while also supporting the President in her work sustaining donor engagement.
● Serves as the spokesperson for the school in its philanthropic efforts, including efforts to build new individual and institutional relationships.
● Partners with all members of the development team in conducting appropriate donor research and strategy.
● Supports oversight of supervision of portfolios by development team members and the President.
● Creates appropriate stewardship plans aligned with the school's vision and mission and grounded in understanding of the school's history.
Community engagement and support
● Serves as the spokesperson for the school in its philanthropic efforts.
● Attend school-wide events as a present and engaged school staff member.
● Works collaboratively and cooperatively across school offices and with school faculty to support school initiatives.
Successful candidates will work collegially with colleagues, serve as ambassadors of all-girls Catholic education in the Dominican tradition, and possess the listening and storytelling skills to understand and communicate donors' values and commitment to DA. Professionalism, thoughtful attention to confidential information, effective communication skills, and prioritization of complex, demanding work are essential qualities for the Director of Development.
Qualifications
● A strong belief in Catholic Dominican education including the pillars of prayer, study, community, and service.
● Minimum 5-10 years of experience in nonprofit development with increasing levels of fundraising and supervisory responsibility.
● Demonstrated understanding of strategies and techniques for use in major gift donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
● Demonstrated knowledge and implementation of research methods to identify foundation prospects, ability in grant and proposal writing, and proven success in generating commitments from individuals and foundations.
● A high degree of professionalism and an ability to interact with a variety of individuals to significantly increase the visibility of the school.
● Familiarity with the types and uses of social media and means of communication to connect with alumnae and constituents of all ages.
● Uncompromising sense of discretion and confidentiality.
● Ability to cultivate present and potential donors locally and nationally.
● Evening/weekend work is required.
● Strong computer skills; proficient working knowledge fundraising CRMS; Raiser's Edge experience preferred.
● CFRE certification preferred
● Bachelor's degree in a related field required. Compensation: $110,000 to $125,000 Comprehensive benefits package Application Process: Please send a cover letter and resume outlining all relevant professional experiences, academic degrees and certification, etc. to . Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as received and interviews will begin immediately. The new Director of Development will begin her/his time at D.A. no later than July 1, 2026.