Advancement and Events Coordinator

Job Description
Advancement and Events Coordinator
St. Joseph Academy
Location: San Marcos, California
Reports to: School President
Type: Full-Time
About St. Joseph Academy

Founded in 1995, Saint Joseph Academy is an independent, TK-12 Catholic school in San Marcos, California, unwaveringly faithful to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Rooted in a classical education model, SJA rejects Common Core in favor of a time-honored curriculum that cultivates wisdom, virtue, and academic excellence through the study of liberal arts, sciences, and the Catholic intellectual tradition. Our mission is to form vibrant young men and women who, committed to living by Catholic principles, answer God’s call to transform human culture for the Kingdom of God. With a student body of under 400 students, including 95 high school students, SJA fosters a close-knit community where faith and reason flourish, preparing students to become saints and scholars. We rely on the spiritual and temporal generosity of our benefactors, whose intentions are remembered daily in our students’ prayers.

Position Overview
The Advancement and Events Coordinator will play a pivotal role in driving the school’s fundraising, philanthropy, and enrollment efforts while fostering meaningful relationships with donors, businesses, and the broader community. This role requires a self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset, exceptional communication skills, and a passion for serving others through bold, innovative action. The Coordinator will work under the supervision of the School President to advance the school’s mission, manage donor relationships, and lead key events, all while embodying an entrepreneurial spirit.
Key Responsibilities
• Fundraising and Philanthropy: Manage and execute advancement, fundraising, and philanthropy strategies under the School President’s guidance to support the school’s mission and growth.
• Donor Database Management: Oversee the school’s donor database, ensuring accurate records and leveraging data to enhance donor engagement.
• Donor Stewardship: Steward donors through all phases of the development process, building lasting relationships through personalized outreach, gratitude, and recognition.
• Enrollment Season Engagement: Represent St. Joseph Academy at local schools, parishes, and community events during enrollment season to drive awareness and boost admissions.
• St. Joseph Academy Gala: Lead or play a central role in planning and executing the annual St. Joseph Academy Gala, a cornerstone fundraising and community-building event.
• Business Partnership Program: Develop, steward, and expand the school’s business partnership program to foster mutually beneficial relationships with local businesses.
• Grant Writing: Research, write, and submit grant proposals to secure funding from foundations and other grant-making organizations.
• Community Connections: Actively network with local foundations, businesses, and community leaders to drive philanthropic initiatives that benefit the school.
• Parent-Facing Events: Assist with planning and executing parent-facing events as needed, ensuring a welcoming and engaging experience for families.
Qualifications and Characteristics
• Self-Starter with an Entrepreneurial Mindset: Thrives in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment with a bias for action, comfort with ambiguity, and keen attention to detail.
• People-Person: Enjoys networking, building relationships, and connecting with diverse stakeholders, from donors to parents to community leaders.
• Customer Fanatic: Passionate about delivering value to donors, partners, and community members, driven by an other-centered idealism to make a meaningful impact.
• Sales-Driven: Motivated by setting and achieving ambitious fundraising goals, viewing financial contributions as a means to serve the school’s mission.
• Team-Oriented with High Competency: Thrives in a lean, high-performing team, minimizing communication overhead to maximize effectiveness.
• Underdog Mentality: Embraces the mindset of never having “arrived,” always striving to be the best and achieve more, with a bold, “nothing ventured, nothing gained” approach.
• Exceptional Communication Skills: Demonstrates outstanding written and verbal communication, crafting compelling outreach and conveying opportunities with clarity and credibility.
• Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree preferred, with experience in fundraising, development, event planning, or related fields preferred. Familiarity with Catholic education and values is a plus.
• Preferred Skillset (Not Required): Experience in graphic design and film editing to enhance fundraising materials, event promotions, and enrollment campaigns.

Why Join St. Joseph Academy?
At St. Joseph Academy, you’ll be part of a mission-driven community that’s fighting to be the best, with a bold vision to shape the next generation of faithful, virtuous leaders. If you’re an idealistic, action-oriented individual who’s passionate about making an impact, we want you to help us take our school to new heights.

To Apply
Please submit your resume and a cover letter to delatorreb@sjaclassical.org.
Duc in altum – Put out into the deep! Join us in this bold mission to transform lives through faith and education.