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The Frances Xavier Warde School

The Frances Xavier Warde School is a Catholic elementary school in downtown Chicago that provides an excellent academic, values-oriented education to students of all ethnic, religious, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds in a child-centered urban environment. As a keystone of its diverse community, The Frances Xavier Warde School provides need-based scholarships to thirty percent of its students.

The Frances Xavier Warde School partners with its families, nurtures faith development for its Catholic students, and engages all its students to learn about and respect other faith traditions. The Frances Xavier Warde School uses a rigorous curriculum that enables students to grow, clarify their values, develop decision-making skills and a sense of responsibility for themselves and the world they will inherit.

FXW is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace and values candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. The school is committed to providing reasonable accommodation throughout the hiring process and within the workplace to support all employees in performing the essential functions of the job. FXW will not engage in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran and will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders, and regulations. FXW makes a deliberate effort to employ faculty and staff of diverse races, ethnicities, and backgrounds.

## Overview

**Salary Range:** $110,000.00 - $140,000.00 Salary (annualized, prorated based on actual duration)

**Level:** Senior

**Position Type:** Full Time

**Education Level:** 4 Year Degree

**Travel Percentage:** 25 to 50%

**Category:** Management

## Description

### Primary Professional Function

**Interim Appointment**

This is an interim leadership appointment anticipated to last approximately 6–11 months. The Interim Director of Advancement will provide continuity, strategic oversight, and day-to-day leadership for the Advancement function while FXW determines its longer-term leadership needs and completes the transition to a permanent Director of Advancement. The exact length of the appointment may vary based on the needs of the School.

The Interim Director of Advancement is a strategic and experienced leader who serves as a key member of the School's senior leadership team. This role is responsible for providing continuity and leadership for FXW's comprehensive advancement program, maintaining momentum toward established institutional priorities, and supporting a successful transition to permanent leadership.

In close partnership with the Head of School, the Interim Director advances FXW's mission as an independent Catholic school rooted in faith, inclusivity, service, and academic excellence. The Interim Director provides strategic leadership and oversight for all aspects of Advancement, including fundraising, marketing and communications, parent engagement, alumni relations, special events, and advancement operations. The role leads and supervises a collaborative Advancement team consisting of the Communications Manager and Social Media and Marketing Manager, Annual Giving and Advancement Data Manager, Alumni Relations Coordinator, and Special Events Coordinator, ensuring continuity, operational excellence, and sustained progress during the leadership transition.

Success in this role will be measured by the Interim Director's ability to sustain fundraising momentum, provide strong leadership to the Advancement team, strengthen donor and community relationships, and ensure a seamless transition to permanent leadership.

### Duties/Responsibilities

**Strategic Leadership and Planning**

- Maintain, implement, and evaluate the School's comprehensive advancement strategy, ensuring continuity of strategic priorities while identifying opportunities and recommendations for the permanent Director of Advancement.
- Partner with the Head of School to set and meet annual goals for fundraising, constituent engagement, marketing, and communications.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the Head of School, Advancement Committee, and the Children at the Crossroads Foundation (CATC) Board.
- Foster a culture of philanthropy grounded in Catholic stewardship and inclusive values, ensuring the "why" of giving is understood and embraced across the community.
- Oversee strategic communications planning, ensuring consistent messaging, brand alignment, and mission-driven storytelling across all channels.

**Fundraising Leadership**

- Lead all philanthropic efforts for FXW and CATC, including the Annual Fund, major and planned gifts, corporate and foundation relations, and special events.
- Partner with the Head of School to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects; personally manage a portfolio of donors and prospects.
- Support the Head of School and external campaign consultants in maintaining momentum and implementing strategies for The Foundations Campaign during the interim leadership period.
- Collaborate with the Annual Giving and Advancement Data Manager to establish annual giving goals, donor segmentation strategies, and stewardship plans.
- Work with the Finance Department to ensure timely reconciliation of all gifts, pledges, and reports.

**Marketing, Communications, and Brand Stewardship**

- Supervise the Communications Manager and Social Media and Marketing Manager in developing integrated strategies that elevate the School's visibility and reinforce FXW's mission and values.
- Oversee the development of print and digital content for admissions, fundraising, and community engagement initiatives—including the FXW website, newsletters, social media, and annual reports.
- Ensure all communications reflect the School's voice: faith-centered, inclusive, and community-oriented.
- Strengthen cross-departmental collaboration to ensure alignment between Advancement, Admissions, and Academics in representing FXW's value proposition.

**Team Leadership and Operational Excellence**

- Lead, coach, and mentor the Advancement team, fostering a high-performing, mission-driven culture of accountability, collaboration, creativity, and stability throughout the leadership transition.
- Build confidence and maintain continuity with donors, parents, alumni, trustees, volunteers, and community partners throughout the interim leadership period.
- Build team capacity through professional development and clear performance expectations.
- Ensure all team functions, including data integrity, gift processing, and donor stewardship, reflect best practices and operational excellence.
- Promote strong communication and coordination across the Advancement Team's efforts in fundraising, events, alumni relations, communications, and marketing.
- Maintain organized records, document key priorities and processes, and prepare a comprehensive transition briefing to support the onboarding of the permanent Director of Advancement.

**Constituent and Community Engagement**

- Serve as a visible ambassador of FXW within the broader community, cultivating strong relationships with parents, alumni, trustees, and external partners.
- Partner with the Alumni Relations Coordinator to grow alumni engagement through events, mentorship opportunities, and strategic communications.
- Provide strategic guidance for special events (e.g., FXW Gala, Bright Futures Dinner, Grandparents & Special Friends Days, and donor receptions), ensuring alignment with advancement, community-building, and engagement goals.
- Collaborate with the Head of School to foster transparency and trust through open communication regarding philanthropy, financial sustainability, and the impact of community support.
- Coordinate and support community activities, events, and family engagement initiatives of the PAC Parent Association.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support the needs and priorities of the School.

**Compliance**

Although FXW is an Independent Catholic School, all faculty and staff comply with the Archdiocese of Chicago's Protecting God's Children Requirements.

- Complete the required new hire paperwork and mandatory Archdiocese training.
- Must clear Background Check/Fingerprints.
- Monitor and enforce compliance with internal policies.
- Required to attend additional training classes as designated by the Security Operations Manager/ Security Lead or Security Supervisor and/or FXW administrative staff.

### Qualifications and Requirements

- Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree in advancement, nonprofit management, business, communications, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum of 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in advancement, development, or related fields, with demonstrated success in major gifts, annual giving, and campaign management.
- Proven record of strategic leadership, including experience with policy development, budgeting, and organizational planning.
- Strong leadership and management abilities with experience supervising, mentoring, and motivating diverse teams.
- Demonstrated expertise in developing and executing comprehensive fundraising, marketing, and communications strategies.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking, negotiation, and the ability to inspire and engage varied audiences.
- Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, adapt to changing priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency with donor database systems (Veracross or similar), Microsoft Office Suite, and marketing analytics or CRM tools.
- Experience in independent or faith-based schools preferred; familiarity with Catholic education and its traditions is an asset.
- Demonstrated ability to quickly assess organizational needs, establish priorities, and lead effectively during periods of organizational transition.

### Additional Skills and Experience

- Exercises sound judgment, discretion, and decision-making.
- Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines with composure.
- Maintains absolute confidentiality and professionalism in appearance, attitude, and communication.
- Creative and analytical thinker with strong problem-solving abilities.
- Exceptional interpersonal, organizational, networking, and facilitation skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
- Self-starter with the initiative to meet goals and benchmarks without daily supervision.
- Demonstrated adaptability and the ability to establish credibility quickly with diverse stakeholders while leading through organizational transition.

### Key Relationships

The Interim Director of Advancement reports to and will be supervised, evaluated, and mentored by the Head of School, and will work collaboratively with key partners including the FXW Board of Trustees Advancement Committee, the CATC Board, PAC Co-Chairs, parents and donors across the FXW and CATC community, principals, faculty and staff, vendors, and HNC and OSP Church staff.

### Reporting Relationships

The Interim Director of Advancement direct reports include the Internal Communications Manager, the Annual Giving and Advancement Data Manager, the Alumni Relations Coordinator (Part-Time), the External Marketing and Digital Media Manager (contracted), and the Special Events Coordinator (contracted).

### Physical Requirements

The Interim Director of Advancement must be able to impart and receive detailed information through verbal and written communication. The role also requires the ability to work in situations involving measurable or verifiable criteria, interact effectively with people, perform under appropriately stressful conditions, and work within established limits, tolerances, and standards. The position may require sitting or standing for extended periods, continual or intermittent walking for up to 15 minutes at a time, and occasional lifting of materials weighing between 10 and 50 pounds.

### Work Environment

Hours of work may vary Sunday through Saturday and are generally structured in eight (8) hour blocks, with evenings and weekends required as needed for Advancement, departmental, and School events. The noise level in the work environment is generally moderate, with occasional periods of higher activity during school events or community gatherings.

## Compensation and Benefits

**Expected compensation for this interim role includes an annualized salary within the range of $110,000–$140,000, prorated based on the actual duration of the appointment.**

Benefits eligibility will be based on the terms and duration of the interim appointment and applicable plan requirements. Benefits include but are not limited to:

- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Life & Disability
  - Short-Term Disability
  - Long-Term Disability
  - Basic Life & AD&D
  - Voluntary Life & AD&D
- Voluntary Benefits
- Financial Wellness
  - FSA
  - Commuter Benefits
  - 403B Retirement Savings
- Wellbeing & Balance
  - Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  - Mental Health Resources

Global Financial Executive | Operations, FP&A, Budgeting, P&L, Reporting Expert with Specialty in Non-Profit/Higher Education | Drives Cost Conscious Strategy for Top/Bottom Line Growth | Process Efficiency Specialist

Kimberlee Wazny

Chief Financial and Operations Officer

Interim Director of Advancement

Marketing Communications

THE FRANCES XAVIER WARDE SCHOOL

**Primary Professional Function**

**Interim Appointment**

This is an interim leadership appointment anticipated to last approximately 6–11 months. The Interim Director of Advancement will provide continuity, strategic oversight, and day-to-day leadership for the Advancement function while FXW determines its longer-term leadership needs and completes the transition to a permanent Director of Advancement. The exact length of the appointment may vary based on the needs of the School.

The Interim Director of Advancement is a strategic and experienced leader who serves as a key member of the School’s senior leadership team. This role is responsible for providing continuity and leadership for FXW’s comprehensive advancement program, maintaining momentum toward established institutional priorities, and supporting a successful transition to permanent leadership.

In close partnership with the Head of School, the Interim Director advances FXW's mission as an independent Catholic school rooted in faith, inclusivity, service, and academic excellence. The Interim Director provides strategic leadership and oversight for all aspects of Advancement, including fundraising, marketing and communications, parent engagement, alumni relations, special events, and advancement operations. The role leads and supervises a collaborative Advancement team consisting of the Communications Manager and Social Media and Marketing Manager, Annual Giving and Advancement Data Manager, Alumni Relations Coordinator, and Special Events Coordinator, ensuring continuity, operational excellence, and sustained progress during the leadership transition.

Success in this role will be measured by the Interim Director's ability to sustain fundraising momentum, provide strong leadership to the Advancement team, strengthen donor and community relationships, and ensure a seamless transition to permanent leadership.

**Duties/Responsibilities**

**Strategic Leadership and Planning**

- Maintain, implement, and evaluate the School's comprehensive advancement strategy, ensuring continuity of strategic priorities while identifying opportunities and recommendations for the permanent Director of Advancement.
- Partner with the Head of School to set and meet annual goals for fundraising, constituent engagement, marketing, and communications.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the Head of School, Advancement Committee, and the Children at the Crossroads Foundation (CATC) Board.
- Foster a culture of philanthropy grounded in Catholic stewardship and inclusive values, ensuring the “why” of giving is understood and embraced across the community.
- Oversee strategic communications planning, ensuring consistent messaging, brand alignment, and mission-driven storytelling across all channels.

**Fundraising Leadership**

- Lead all philanthropic efforts for FXW and CATC, including the Annual Fund, major and planned gifts, corporate and foundation relations, and special events.
- Partner with the Head of School to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects; personally manage a portfolio of donors and prospects.
- Support the Head of School and external campaign consultants in maintaining momentum and implementing strategies for The Foundations Campaign during the interim leadership period.
- Collaborate with the Annual Giving and Advancement Data Manager to establish annual giving goals, donor segmentation strategies, and stewardship plans.
- Work with the Finance Department to ensure timely reconciliation of all gifts, pledges, and reports.

**Marketing, Communications, and Brand Stewardship**

- Supervise the Communications Manager and Social Media and Marketing Manager in developing integrated strategies that elevate the School’s visibility and reinforce FXW’s mission and values.
- Oversee the development of print and digital content for admissions, fundraising, and community engagement initiatives—including the FXW website, newsletters, social media, and annual reports.
- Ensure all communications reflect the School’s voice: faith-centered, inclusive, and community-oriented.
- Strengthen cross-departmental collaboration to ensure alignment between Advancement, Admissions, and Academics in representing FXW’s value proposition.

**Team Leadership and Operational Excellence**

- Lead, coach, and mentor the Advancement team, fostering a high-performing, mission-driven culture of accountability, collaboration, creativity, and stability throughout the leadership transition.
- Build confidence and maintain continuity with donors, parents, alumni, trustees, volunteers, and community partners throughout the interim leadership period.
- Build team capacity through professional development and clear performance expectations.
- Ensure all team functions, including data integrity, gift processing, and donor stewardship, reflect best practices and operational excellence.
- Promote strong communication and coordination across the Advancement Team’s efforts in fundraising, events, alumni relations, communications, and marketing.
- Maintain organized records, document key priorities and processes, and prepare a comprehensive transition briefing to support the onboarding of the permanent Director of Advancement.

**Constituent and Community Engagement**

- Serve as a visible ambassador of FXW within the broader community, cultivating strong relationships with parents, alumni, trustees, and external partners.
- Partner with the Alumni Relations Coordinator to grow alumni engagement through events, mentorship opportunities, and strategic communications.
- Provide strategic guidance for special events (e.g., FXW Gala, Bright Futures Dinner, Grandparents & Special Friends Days, and donor receptions), ensuring alignment with advancement, community-building, and engagement goals.
- Collaborate with the Head of School to foster transparency and trust through open communication regarding philanthropy, financial sustainability, and the impact of community support.
- Coordinate and support community activities, events, and family engagement initiatives of the PAC Parent Association.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support the needs and priorities of the School.

**Compliance**

Although FXW is an Independent Catholic School, all faculty and staff comply with the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Protecting God’s Children Requirements.

- Complete the required new hire paperwork and mandatory Archdiocese training.
- Must clear Background Check/Fingerprints.
- Monitor and enforce compliance with internal policies.
Required to attend additional training classes as designated by the Security Operations Manager/ Security Lead or Security Supervisor and/or FXW administrative staff.  

**Qualifications and Requirements**

- Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree in advancement, nonprofit management, business, communications, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum of 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in advancement, development, or related fields, with demonstrated success in major gifts, annual giving, and campaign management.
- Proven record of strategic leadership, including experience with policy development, budgeting, and organizational planning.
- Strong leadership and management abilities with experience supervising, mentoring, and motivating diverse teams.
- Demonstrated expertise in developing and executing comprehensive fundraising, marketing, and communications strategies.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking, negotiation, and the ability to inspire and engage varied audiences.
- Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, adapt to changing priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency with donor database systems (Veracross or similar), Microsoft Office Suite, and marketing analytics or CRM tools.
- Experience in independent or faith-based schools preferred; familiarity with Catholic education and its traditions is an asset.
- Demonstrated ability to quickly assess organizational needs, establish priorities, and lead effectively during periods of organizational transition.

**Additional Skills and Experience**

- Exercises sound judgment, discretion, and decision-making.
- Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines with composure.

- Maintains absolute confidentiality and professionalism in appearance, attitude, and communication.
- Creative and analytical thinker with strong problem-solving abilities.
- Exceptional interpersonal, organizational, networking, and facilitation skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
- Self-starter with the initiative to meet goals and benchmarks without daily supervision.
- Demonstrated adaptability and the ability to establish credibility quickly with diverse stakeholders while leading through organizational transition.

**Key Relationships**

The Interim Director of Advancement reports to and will be supervised, evaluated, and mentored by the Head of School, and will work collaboratively with key partners including the FXW Board of Trustees Advancement Committee, the CATC Board, PAC Co-Chairs, parents and donors across the FXW and CATC community, principals, faculty and staff, vendors, and HNC and OSP Church staff.

**Reporting Relationships**

The Interim Director of Advancement direct reports include the Internal Communications Manager, the Annual Giving and Advancement Data Manager, the Alumni Relations Coordinator (Part-Time), the External Marketing and Digital Media Manager (contracted), and the Special Events Coordinator (contracted).

**Physical Requirements**

The Interim Director of Advancement must be able to impart and receive detailed information through verbal and written communication. The role also requires the ability to work in situations involving measurable or verifiable criteria, interact effectively with people, perform under appropriately stressful conditions, and work within established limits, tolerances, and standards. The position may require sitting or standing for extended periods, continual or intermittent walking for up to 15 minutes at a time, and occasional lifting of materials weighing between 10 and 50 pounds.

**Work Environment**

Hours of work may vary Sunday through Saturday and are generally structured in eight (8) hour blocks, with evenings and weekends required as needed for Advancement, departmental, and School events. The noise level in the work environment is generally moderate, with occasional periods of higher activity during school events or community gatherings.

**Compensation and Benefits**

FXW offers a competitive salary and robust benefits program, commensurate with experience and consistent with independent schools.

*Expected compensation for this interim role includes an annualized salary within the range of $110,000–$140,000, prorated based on the actual duration of the appointment.*

Benefits eligibility will be based on the terms and duration of the interim appointment and applicable plan requirements. Benefits include but are not limited to:

- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Life & Disability

  - Short-Term Disability
  - Long-Term Disability
  - Basic Life & AD&D
  - Voluntary Life & AD&D
- Voluntary Benefits
- Financial Wellness

  - FSA
  - Commuter Benefits
  - 403B Retirement Savings
- Wellbeing & Balance

  - Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  - Mental Health Resources

***Not sure you meet 100% of our*** ***qualifications?*** We understand. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply and welcome a chance for us to review your background. We are dedicated to building and maintaining a diversified workforce and considering a broad array of candidates with a variety of skills, workplace experience, and backgrounds.

**Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion**

FXW is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace and values candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. We encourage individuals who may not meet 100% of the listed requirements, but who believe they could excel in this role, to apply. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation throughout the hiring process and within the workplace to support all employees in performing the essential functions of the job.

**Non-Discrimination Policy**

It is The Frances Xavier Warde School’s goal to attract, recruit and retain exceptional faculty and staff that are inspiring, diverse and committed to the school’s mission. We support our teachers and staff by welcoming them into an environment that encourages them to excel and by maintaining a rich benefits package that helps them flourish and grow personally and professionally.

FXW will not engage in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran and will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders, and regulations. This nondiscrimination policy applies to student admissions and employment.

We invite you to become a part of our community, and FXW makes a deliberate effort to employ faculty and staff of diverse races, ethnicities, and backgrounds. No phone calls, please.

**Mission Statement**

*The Frances Xavier Warde School is a Catholic elementary school in downtown Chicago that provides an excellent academic, values-oriented education to students of all ethnic, religious, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds in a child-centered urban environment. As a keystone of its diverse community, The Frances Xavier Warde School provides need-based scholarships to thirty percent of its students.*

*The Frances Xavier Warde School partners with its families, nurtures faith development for its Catholic students, and engages all its students to learn about and respect other faith traditions. The Frances Xavier Warde School uses a rigorous curriculum that enables students to grow, clarify their values, develop decision-making skills and a sense of responsibility for themselves and the world they will inherit.*

Chicago

The Frances Xavier Warde School is seeking an Interim Director of Advancement to provide strategic leadership and continuity for their advancement program during a 6-11 month interim period. The role involves overseeing fundraising, marketing, communications, and team leadership to ensure a smooth transition to permanent leadership.

The Frances Xavier Warde School

Jobs

Interim Director of Advancement

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