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Job Title: Director of Development
Reports To: President
Classification: 12-month, Exempt, Full-Time (1.0 FTE)
De La Salle North Catholic High School (DLSNC) provides a faith-based, college-preparatory high school education to historically underserved students from the Portland area. We are the most diverse private high school in Oregon, and more than 95% of our graduates are accepted into college. Our mission is to develop tomorrow’s community leaders by making high-quality education accessible to motivated young people in a learning environment that values cultural, spiritual, and ethnic diversity. Our Lasallian Catholic approach provides each student with the opportunity to succeed through small classes, high expectations, faith expression, community service, and active participation in our Corporate Work Study Program affiliated with the nationally recognized Cristo Rey Network.
POSITION SUMMARY
As a member of the school’s Leadership Team, the Director of Development reports directly to the President and plays a critical role in advancing the mission and long-term sustainability of DLSNC.
The Director of Development provides strategic leadership and oversight for all fundraising and advancement activities, including major gifts, annual giving, foundation and corporate support, donor stewardship, fundraising events, and development communications. This role partners closely with the President, Board of Trustees, Ambassador Board, and administrative leadership to cultivate philanthropic support, strengthen community partnerships, and grow a sustainable culture of philanthropy across the institution.
The ideal candidate is a strategic and relationship-centered fundraising leader with demonstrated success securing major gifts, managing comprehensive development programs, and inspiring donor engagement in support of educational access and opportunity.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Fundraising & Donor Engagement
- Manage and grow a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation donors and prospects, with emphasis on major, leadership-level, endowment, and planned giving opportunities.
- Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to deepen donor engagement and increase philanthropic support.
- Partner closely with the President in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of top-tier donors and prospects.
- Identify, qualify, and cultivate new donors and community partners to expand the school’s philanthropic pipeline, including long-term endowment and legacy giving prospects.
- Strengthen donor retention and upgrade strategies through meaningful relationship management and impact-focused communication.
- Create compelling gift proposals, donor communications, and stewardship opportunities tailored to donor interests and institutional priorities.
- Coordinate and refine the school’s prospect and MOVES management systems to support strategic donor engagement and measurable fundraising outcomes.
- Ensure timely processing, acknowledgment, and stewardship of all gifts.
- Ensure integrated fundraising communications, collateral, and donor impact messaging.
- Represent DLSNC in the broader community through meetings, conferences, fundraising events, and networking opportunities.
Strategic Leadership & Planning
- Develop and implement annual and long-range development strategies aligned with institutional priorities and long-term sustainability.
- Lead the strategic integration of AI tools within the Development department to strengthen donor engagement, improve operational efficiency, and expand team capacity.
- Establish fundraising goals, benchmarks, and metrics in partnership with the President.
- Track, analyze, and report progress toward contributed revenue goals and strategic fundraising objectives.
- Lead and promote a culture of philanthropy among trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and community partners.
- Partner with the Board of Trustees and Ambassador Board to strengthen donor engagement, fundraising participation, and community visibility.
- Participate in institutional strategic planning and organizational leadership initiatives as a member of the Leadership Team.
Events & Advancement Operations
- Provide strategic oversight for fundraising and special events, including sponsorships, donor cultivation opportunities, auctions, paddle raises, and post-event stewardship.
- Supervise and support development staff, including the Manager of Foundation Relations & Data and the Director of Events, and provide strategic direction and collaborative oversight for the Development & Communications Manager in support of integrated fundraising, donor engagement, and institutional communications efforts.
- Develop and manage contributed revenue and development expense budgets in partnership with the President and Vice President of Finance.
- Maintain effective development systems, policies, procedures, and ethical fundraising standards related to gift solicitation, tracking, reporting, and stewardship.
- Oversee donor database management and reporting systems to support data-informed fundraising strategies.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree and/or CFRE preferred.
- Minimum of five years of progressive fundraising experience with demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding major gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
- Strong relationship-building, communication, and presentation skills, including the ability to effectively articulate the mission, impact, and Lasallian educational philosophy of DLSNC.
- Experience supervising development personnel and leading collaborative fundraising initiatives.
- Strong organizational, strategic planning, analytical, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and the ability to engage effectively with diverse communities and stakeholders.
- High level of professionalism, integrity, initiative, discretion, and sound judgment.
- Proficiency with software systems such as Raiser’s Edge, Microsoft Office Suite, and Google Workspace.
- Working fluency with AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, or comparable platforms) and a demonstrated interest in their application to fundraising, communications, or nonprofit operations.
- Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends and participate actively in the life of the school and broader community.
- Commitment to the mission and values of De La Salle North Catholic High School and a passion for educational equity and opportunity.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in independent schools, Catholic education, higher education, or mission-driven nonprofit organizations.
- Familiarity with campaign strategy, planned giving, and board engagement.
- Knowledge of the Portland philanthropic community and educational landscape.
ANNUAL SALARY AND BENEFITS
Salary commensurate with experience (DOE). DLSNC offers a generous benefits package that includes paid vacation and sick leave, paid holidays and school breaks, medical/dental/vision insurance with shared premium costs, employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), optional voluntary insurance plans, and a 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match.
TO APPLY
Please email cover letter and resume to hr@dlsnc.org. Employment contingent on a successful completion of background check. We are looking to fill this position immediately.
