Director of Advancement - Vancouver College

ABOUT

Vancouver College is a Catholic school for boys founded in 1922 with over 1000 students from K Gr. 12. The school is well known for its spiritual program outstanding academics an expansive co-curricular program and high caliber teaching staff. With the completion of the campus renewal project Vancouver College moves forward with a focus on continuous improvement and pedagogical transformation. It leads the way in innovative practice while honouring its deeply rooted traditions.

Vancouver Colleges legacy is a testament to the generous support from generations of families alumni staff and friends since the day it opened in 1922. Everything we have is a reflection of the generosity of those who came before us.

Vancouver Colleges first Capital Campaign in the early 1920s (led by Brother Lannon and Father OBoyle) was for the construction of a new school on the present site in Shaughnessy. Since that time several more Capital Campaigns have followed along with annual fundraising campaigns in between all serving to illustrate the Vancouver College communitys culture of giving.

Most recently Vancouver College focused on a campus renewal project prompted by seismic challenges and ageing buildings. The $43 million project was funded by the Our Next Century Campaign that raised $40 Million from July 2014 to June 2021. The campaigns success led to the construction of Manrell Hall (our Middle School building) in 2018 followed in 2020 by the new Lannon Hall (Elementary School building) which is also home to the Blessed Edmund Rice Chapel.

Today Vancouver College continues to raise funds through an Annual Giving Program that supports the Financial Assistance Program educational resources and the schools emergent needs as determined by the Senior Leadership Team. The school now anticipates the launch of a new campaign focused on improvements supporting the school music program. The endeavour will involve construction of a new building as well as renovation of the current music space in order for it to be repurposed for academic athletic and digital media programs.

On behalf of Vancouver College and the VC Millennium Foundation the Advancement Office leads and coordinates all fundraising initiatives that support the needs of the school. The Office works in conjunction with the Vancouver College Alumni Association and Vancouver College Parents Association to ensure the alignment and coordination of shared goals and fundraising efforts.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Vancouver Colleges Advancement Office is seeking a relationship-centred and dynamic self-starter to serve in the role of Director of Advancement and Community Relations in anticipation of a future capital campaign to fund the needs of VCs music program as well as related academic athletic and digital media expansion.

Reporting to and working in close partnership with the President and other members of the Senior Leadership Team the Director will contribute to the development and implementation of the strategic objectives of the schools financial giving program in support of its Vision Mission and Values.

The Director of Advancement works closely with the Advancement staff - including a Major Gifts Officer and an Advancement and Donor Services Officer - to foster an enthusiastic and inspiring working environment that supports the Advancement team as well as the considerable number of campaign and fundraising volunteers. The Director working alongside the VC President is the lead fundraiser for the school. He/She is responsible for all aspects of the giving program including donor stewardship participation retention acquisition and engagement. He/She will work with a portfolio of major donors in the $10000 range while also overseeing the annual giving program.

The Director is also responsible for external/community relations specifically with parents and alumni. The role includes coordinating with both the VC Parents Association (VCPA) and the VC Alumni Association and supporting their needs for volunteer management from time to time.

In this role the Director will have the following responsibilities:

• Ensure the campaign operates in synchronicity with the policies and by-laws of Vancouver College
• Ensure that all appropriate Vancouver College resources from within and/or outside the Advancement Office are deployed appropriately in pursuit of campaign goals
• Participate directly in volunteer recruitment donor cultivation and solicitation
• Assume primary operational responsibility for resource and personnel deployment and management
• Liaise regularly with the President to report on strategic level issues that require his action or knowledge
• Oversee the prospect management function of the Advancement office
• Participate in the selection and recruitment of capital campaign leadership
• Identify cultivate and solicit prospects where appropriate
• Meet with all parents new to the VC community

Giving Programs

• Continue to build and refine Vancouver Colleges established annual fund program and recommend changes and adjustments as necessary.
• Oversee and implement direct response solicitation program(s).
• Work closely with the Advancement Team on matters specific to the Annual fund including identifying appropriate areas for integrating active messaging and solicitation.
• Contribute to the development of support materials and packages of various media for solicitation awareness-building and community-building purposes including creative development copywriting collateral materials integration of Colleges website and electronic fundraising elements integration.
• Actively monitor and manage the donor database ongoing
• Identify major and leadership gifts prospects and facilitate meetings with the President for solicitation.
• When prompted by the Board of Directors lead the planning and implementation of the capital campaign for the Music Program.

Community Relations

Parents:

• Work closely with the Parents Association (VCPA) on annual events including activities related to the schools major fundraising initiatives - Finnegan Ball Mothers Christmas Tea and Mayfair

Alumni:

• Support Vancouver College Alumni Association (VCAA) with events including but not limited to the annual golf tournament football game hockey tournament Homecoming etc.
• Oversee the activities of the VCAA to ensure alignment with all other fundraising initiatives in support of the school.
• Support VCAA reunions with requests for alumni information event suggestions and on campus visits.
• Work closely with the Communications and Marketing Specialist on matters related to or of specific interest to alumni and provide support as needed e.g. website updates newsletters etc.
• Update alumni database(s) or seek the help of the Advancement and Donor Services Officer as needed.
• Take a leadership role in organizing the biennial Hall of Honour Induction and Reception

Education/Experience

• Familiarity with and commitment to the Mission of Vancouver College and/or comfort working in a Catholic faith-based environment.
• Post-secondary degree or diploma and a minimum of seven years experience in Advancement/fundraising /development preferably major gifts work and preferably within a school environment or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Experience working with sensitive information and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

Skills/Abilities

• Strong interpersonal skills to relate to donors volunteers and colleagues.
• Self-motivated (a self-starter); innovative and able to work independently within the context of a team environment.
• Flexible in approaching complex situations and relationships.
• Results-oriented and goal-driven.
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong analytical skills including the ability to interpret and manage data.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and priorities giving careful attention to detail.
• Knowledge of Raisers Edge or similar donor database and skilled in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Second language proficiency in Mandarin would be an asset.

Salary Range

$130000 - $145000 per annum

Application Deadline

Please submit a resume and cover letter to by June 20 2025.

1. Create your Make a Future profile
2. Complete all profile sections including: Provincial Certificates Qualifications Education Experience and Questions
and add all required application documents to your profile. (see below)
4. Apply to this job posting.

REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

Please attach the following documents to your Profile and contact for any questions or clarifications:

• Criminal Record Check (if youre outside of BC)
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Proof of Eligibility to Work in Canada (Canadian Birth Certificate Canadian Citizenship Card Permanent Residence Work Permit etc.)
• Catholic Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
• Two Recent Professional Reference Letters(Dated within the last 6 months)