Director of Development (EX)-Mount de Sales Academy, Catonsville MD

***Qualified applicants must submit cover letter, resume and a list of three professional references to: Marie Kromeke, School Administrative Assistant via Marie [email protected]***

**Please reference the position in the subject line.**

Join Advancement at Mount de Sales Academy as the Director of Development, a vital member of the Development Team focused on engaging individuals, organizations, and businesses in advancing the mission of MDSA. The Director of Development is a relationship-driven and goal-oriented professional responsible for advancing MDSA's development efforts through thoughtful donor engagement, exceptional stewardship, and collaborative fundraising strategies. The Director of Development will join a committed team of Advancement professionals who believe in the mission of MDSA and take great pride in growing financial resources to support the students and the school, both now and for future generations.

The Director of Development’s primary responsibilities include managing an extensive portfolio of prospects and donors, with weekly, monthly, and annual engagement and fundraising goals; cultivating meaningful relationships across all constituencies; and playing a key role in strengthening MDSA's culture of philanthropy. This position supports the planning and execution of the school’s fundraising efforts and develops strategies to achieve fundraising goals.

In addition to a mission-driven and collaborative work environment, Mount de Sales Academy offers a modified summer work schedule, generous paid time off during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter breaks, and all major school holidays throughout the year.

The Director of Development at Mount de Sales Academy is expected to be a skilled professional who collaborates effectively with the Advancement Team to fulfill the various responsibilities of the role. Mount de Sales Academy seeks to offer a high-quality educational program integrated with religious truths and values. The Director of Development supports the beliefs, values, and traditions of the Catholic Church and is expected to model Gospel values through personal demeanor and lifestyle. Respect for the dignity of every person is of utmost importance. Likewise, faculty, staff, and students are expected to model Christ-like behavior in their interactions with the Director of Development and with one another.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as a major gift officer, managing a portfolio of donors and prospects through all stages of the fundraising cycle: identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.


• Leverage the school’s CRM system to its fullest potential, tracking efforts, actions, calls, and visits.


• Demonstrate initiative in all aspects of the position, with particular emphasis on identifying new prospects.


• Develop relationships with existing donors and identify, cultivate, and steward new donor relationships.


• Conduct an agreed-upon number of meaningful donor contacts each week.


• Achieve an agreed-upon number of meaningful face-to-face or virtual visits each week.


• Develop collaborative donor-giving strategies with the Advancement Team.


• Represent MDSA at institutional events and donor engagements, and support all Advancement events, including evenings and weekends as needed.


• Achieve monthly, quarterly, and annual fundraising goals established by the Executive Director of Advancement.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; a minimum of three years of progressive fundraising or comparable experience preferred, ideally in an independent school or nonprofit setting.


• Demonstrated success in achieving goals in major-gift and leadership-gift fundraising or a comparable professional field.


• High-level proficiency in Microsoft 365.


• Experience with a CRM database, including Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge NXT or a similar platform.


• Enthusiasm for MDSA's mission, values, and school community.


• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.


• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities with accuracy, discretion, and attention to detail.


• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.


• High degree of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.


• Collaborative leadership style with a commitment to teamwork and shared success.


• Willingness and flexibility to attend evening and weekend events.


• Commitment to the mission and vision of Catholic education in general and Mount de Sales Academy in particular.

Pay Range:  $55,000 - $75,000, Annualized

Benefits:  This position is eligible for full comprehensive benefits.