VICE PRESIDENT OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

Description

Bellarmine is a Catholic Jesuit college preparatory secondary school with an enrollment of approximately 890 students in grades 9-12. The successful candidate for this position will demonstrate a commitment to working with talented and motivated students and employees. Bellarmine fosters amongst its governing board members, administrators, faculty members, staff persons, and students a commitment to embrace and celebrate the diversity of the school’s family and the broader community. Our school has made a strong commitment to promoting diversity of our employees. We encourage persons of all backgrounds to apply.

Position: Vice President of Institutional Advancement 

Department: Advancement Office 

Reports To: President

Location: Tacoma, WA

About the Position 

Bellarmine Preparatory School seeks a dynamic, mission-driven advancement leader to serve as Vice President of Institutional Advancement. In 2028, Bellarmine will celebrate its 100-year Centennial—a historic milestone that will launch a comprehensive capital campaign to shape the next century of Jesuit education in the South Sound. This senior leadership role will champion Bellarmine’s Jesuit mission while building a culture of philanthropy that strengthens our financial foundation and enhances our visibility throughout the community.

About Bellarmine 

Founded in 1928, Bellarmine Preparatory Schools is a Catholic, Jesuit college preparatory school serving students in grades 9-12. We are committed to developing competence, conscience, and compassion in our students through academic excellence, spiritual formation, and service to others.

The Opportunity

This is a pivotal moment in Bellarmine’s history. As a member of the Senior Leadership team and President’s Cabinet, the Vice President will spearhead the planning, launch, and execution of Bellarmine’s Centennial celebration and capital campaign—defining investments in facilities, endowment, major gifts, planned giving, and programs that will secure our mission for generations to come. 

This position provides comprehensive leadership across all advancement functions, managing a team of 5-8 advancement professionals and overseeing:

• Centennial Capital Campaign (2028): Lead all aspects of campaign planning, strategy, and execution
• Major Gifts: Serve as lead Major Gifts Officer, cultivating and stewarding high-capacity donors
• Annual giving ($2-4M target)
• Endowment growth and planned giving
• Alumni relations and community engagement
• Corporate and foundation partnerships
• Advancement communications, brand management, and special events

Key Responsibilities

Centennial Campaign Leadership

• Develop and execute comprehensive campaign strategy in partnership with the President and Board of Trustees
• Lead capital campaign planning, including goal-setting, case development, and timeline management
• Manage all aspects of campaign implementation, donor cultivation, gift solicitation and donor appreciation  
• Oversee campaign communications, events, and impact reporting

Advancement Operations

• Serve as lead Major Gifts Officer, personally managing a portfolio of principal and major gift prospects
• Direct the advancement team to meet and exceed annual fundraising goals across all levels
• Develop and implement strategies for annual giving, planned giving, and endowment growth
• Partner with administration, board, and community leaders to advance Bellarmine’s mission
• Oversee advancement communications, marketing, alumni engagement, and stewardship initiatives

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For

Required:

• Bachelor's degree (advanced degree or professional certificate preferred)
• Progressive demonstrated experience in fundraising and/or revenue generation
• Proven experience leading or playing a significant role in comprehensive capital campaigns
• Experience managing and developing high-performing teams
• Demonstrated success meeting and exceeding major gift fundraising goals
• Strong understanding of financial management and investment strategies
• Experience working with boards of trustees or advisory boards
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Commitment to relationship-building and donor stewardship
• Strategic thinking with entrepreneurial mindset
• Experience in leading and fully managing a team/department with clear outcomes and goals
• Strong collaboration and team building skills

Preferred:

• Bellarmine Preparatory School alumni
• Deep understanding of Jesuit education, values, and traditions
• Experience in finance, business, healthcare or entrepreneurship strongly valued
• Track record of successfully completing comprehensive capital campaigns from planning through closeout
• Established networks within the greater Tacoma community
• Knowledge of planned giving and endowment management

What We Offer:

• Once-in-a-career opportunity to lead a Centennial celebration and capital campaign that will define Bellarmine’s next 100 years
• Collaborative, mission-driven work environment at a prestigious Jesuit institution
• Senior leadership role with direct access to President and Board
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package

Compensation: The annual salary range for this position is $150,000 to $200,000 and reflects what Bellarmine Preparatory School reasonably expects to pay. Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

Benefits: A comprehensive package of benefits is offered including three medical plan options, dental, vision, life, accidental death and disability, long-term disability, 403(b), HSA, FSA, EAP, and generous sick leave, paid vacation, and holidays. Bellarmine tuition discount program available.

Travel: This position requires regular travel throughout the Tacoma area and occasionally to other regions for donor meetings, conferences, and alumni events (estimated 20-30% travel)

Salary : $150,000 - $200,000