Director of Advancement

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Position Summary Moravian Academy seeks a strategic, relationship-driven Director of Institutional Advancement to lead its philanthropic program into a multi-phase capital campaign that will shape the school's physical campus and financial foundation as it approaches its fourth century. The Director succeeds a retiring and longstanding advancement leader, and will join at a moment when the groundwork is in place: the Board of Trustees has authorized campaign preparation, campaign counsel has completed a feasibility study, and the school has identified clear facilities priorities, beginning with athletics and a new Upper School. Reporting to the Head of School and serving on the Senior Leadership Team, the Director will be the Head's primary partner in philanthropy and will lead a five-person advancement team, including a Director of Strategic Campaign Initiatives who manages the campaign day-to-day and a Director of Major and Planned Gifts. This leader will personally cultivate and solicit leadership gifts, prepare trustees and volunteers to ask, and build the systems that let a 285-year-old school raise money at a new scale. The Director will also strengthen annual giving, deepen alumni and parent engagement across three campuses, and lay the groundwork for long-term endowment growth and planned giving. This is a role for someone who enjoys both the strategy of a campaign and the craft of a single conversation. Success will be measured by dollars raised, and equally by the strength of the relationships, the volunteer leadership, and the advancement culture the Director leaves in place for Moravian's 300th anniversary in 2042. The Director of Institutional Advancement embodies Moravian Academy's Portrait of an Employee, Engaging in Community through lasting partnerships with donors, alumni, volunteers, and colleagues; Striving for Excellence in campaign strategy and major gift fundraising; Discovering Through Curiosity in building new approaches to philanthropy; and Acting with Integrity in every interaction with donors, trustees, and the broader school community. Essential Functions Campaign oversight

Provide strategic oversight of the capital campaign through its quiet and public phases, supervising the Director of Strategic Campaign Initiatives, who leads day-to-day campaign planning and execution. Ensure the campaign plan, gift table, budget, and timeline align with the school's long-range financial model, annual giving, and the rest of the advancement program. Serve as the Head of School's senior advisor on campaign strategy, and represent advancement with the Board, campaign counsel, and the Director of Marketing and Communications. Integrate campaign solicitations with the school's broader annual and major gift strategy so that leadership prospects experience one coordinated relationship with Moravian.

Leadership and major gifts

Personally manage a portfolio of the school's highest-capacity prospects, with clear goals for discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Personally solicit leadership, major, and planned gifts, and plan and staff solicitations by the Head of School and trustees. Identify and qualify new prospects among alumni, current and past parents, grandparents, and the Lehigh Valley community.

Board and volunteer partnership

Staff the Board's advancement committee and serve as a strategic advisor to the Head and Board on philanthropy. Prepare trustees as cultivators and solicitors through briefings, training, and follow-up. Lead the development and periodic review of gift acceptance, naming, recognition, and endowment policies.

Annual giving, engagement, and stewardship

Oversee the growth of the Annual Fund and its Director to grow the Annual Fund in dollars and participation across all three campuses and every constituency, including faculty and staff. Oversee alumni and parent relations and advancement events, through the Alumni and Parent Relations Manager and the Events Manager, and build a pipeline of future volunteer and donor leaders. Design a stewardship program that gives every donor a timely, personal sense of impact. Oversee the major and planned giving program, led by the Director of Major and Planned Gifts, and cultivate long-term endowment support. Pursue foundation and corporate support for strategic priorities in partnership with school leaders.

Team and operations

Lead, develop, and hold accountable the five-person advancement team; set clear goals and metrics, and coordinate the campaign, major gifts, annual giving, and engagement so they work as one program. Ensure, with the Database Manager, accurate data, gift processing, prospect research, and moves management in Raiser's Edge NXT. Manage the advancement budget and report progress on dollars, participation, and pipeline to the Head and Board. Collaborate with Marketing and Communications, Enrollment Management, the Business Office, and other senior leadership team members so philanthropy reflects institutional priorities. Attend evening and weekend events and travel for donor meetings as needed. Supervisory Responsibilities

This position directly supervises six advancement positions — the Director of Strategic Campaign Initiatives, the Director of Major and Planned Gifts, the Annual Fund Director, the Alumni and Parent Relations Manager, the Events Manager, and the Database Manager.

Qualifications Required

Bachelor's degree. Ten or more years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including at least five in a leadership role managing professional staff, ideally including senior fundraisers. A verifiable record of personally securing six- and seven-figure gifts. Significant experience in a capital or comprehensive campaign, ideally from feasibility study through public phase and close, including work with campaign counsel and volunteer leadership. Demonstrated success partnering with a chief executive and a governing board, including preparing trustees to give and to ask. Excellent writing, speaking, and listening skills; the ability to make a compelling case in a living room or a ballroom. Sound judgment, discretion with confidential information, and an ethical approach consistent with the AFP Code of Ethical Standards. A collaborative, warm style suited to a close-knit community, paired with the discipline to build systems that outlast any one relationship.

Preferred

Advanced degree or CFRE credential. Experience in independent schools, higher education, or education-related nonprofits. Experience building planned giving or endowment programs, including gift acceptance and spending policies. Experience with Raiser's Edge and with prospect research and moves management tools. Familiarity with the Lehigh Valley or Greater Philadelphia philanthropic community. Appreciation for Moravian Academy's history and mission. Experience advancing inclusive, donor-centered engagement practices consistent with Moravian Academy's mission to empower inclusive global citizens.

Physical Demands

Remain in a stationary position for extended periods while working at a computer, attending meetings, and participating in donor and campaign events. Communicate information and exchange ideas clearly and effectively, in person, by telephone, and in writing, with donors, trustees, volunteers, colleagues, and the Head of School. Observe, review, and analyze correspondence, proposals, financial data, and donor records with accuracy and attention to detail. Transport and position event, campaign, and presentation materials weighing up to 25 lbs.; mechanical assistance or a team lift is required for heavier loads. Travel independently to donor meetings, campaign events, and all three Moravian Academy campuses, which may require operating a motor vehicle.

Work Environment

Primary work location is an administrative office setting, with regular travel among Moravian Academy's three campuses (Swain, Historic Downtown, and Merle-Smith) and to donor, alumni, and community locations throughout the Lehigh Valley and beyond. Indoor, office-based environment for the majority of the role, with occasional outdoor exposure at campus and community events. Typical office noise level, with periodic higher noise levels at fundraising, campaign, and campus events. Regular evening and weekend commitments for donor cultivation, campaign events, and Board meetings, with regional and occasional overnight travel required for donor visits.

Required Background Clearances In accordance with Pennsylvania law and Moravian Academy policy, the following clearances are required before the commencement of employment and must be renewed every 60 months:

Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Record Check (Act 34) Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151) FBI Criminal History Record Check – Fingerprinting (Act 114) Mandated Reporter Training Certification (Act 126) — must be completed prior to hire and renewed every five years