Advancement Associate

Advancement Associate

This position offices in-person, on campus

ROLE SUMMARY

The Advancement Associate plays a key role in advancing the mission and vision of Valor Christian High School through relationship development, fundraising, and community engagement. This role is responsible for executing Annual Fund strategies, cultivating and stewarding donors and developing meaningful relationships with new and Freshman families as they become connected to the Valor community. The Advancement Associate leads the planning and execution of the Annual Gala, coordinates additional fundraising and donor engagement events, and identifies opportunities to grow philanthropic support. As a trusted and passionate ambassador for Valor Christian, this role represents the school with professionalism and enthusiasm, clearly communicating its mission, vision, distinctives, and Kingdom purpose. Through intentional relationship-building, thoughtful donor care, and collaboration across the school, the Advancement Associate helps foster a culture of generosity and builds lasting support for Valor Christian and its future.

Valor Christian High School is a decidedly Christian, college preparatory school whose core values honor a biblical foundation. Valor employees are faith-filled, joyful believers who are active in a local, Christian church whose beliefs are in alignment with the school’s Statement of Beliefs. They are both called and committed to the school’s vision and mission and seamlessly integrate faith into their daily work. You will be most successful if you have a true servant’s heart, a teachable spirit, a love for the Lord Jesus Christ, and a commitment to the school’s beliefs and values.  

RESPONSIBILITIES  

Possess and Model a Growing Relationship with Christ

• Pursue full devotion to Christ and live a life that reflects that authenticity

• Model the fruits of the spirit in communications, relationships and daily work 

• Demonstrate teachability and a willing heart for service 

• Embody others-centered, servant-leadership in all interactions
  
  

Demonstrate Trustworthy Commitment to Valor’s Christian Community

• Accept and uphold Valor’s values and beliefs as found in the Statement of Beliefs, Christian Community Policy, and Valor Culture Document

• Accept and abide by all affirmations in Valor’s Annual Statement of Commitment

• Be relationally involved in the life/lives of our students with a heart of service and mission 

• Seamlessly and deliberately integrate Biblical truth and Christian values into daily work

Annual Fund Strategy & Execution

• Collaborate with the Advancement Team to develop and implement strategies that cultivate a strong culture of giving across the Valor Christian community

• Execute the strategy for the Valor Christian Annual Fund, including direct mail, email, social media, and phone campaigns, in collaboration with the Chief Advancement Officer and Marketing & Communications team

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of the Annual Gala, including event strategy, logistics, vendor coordination, invitations, guest engagement, internal team and volunteer coordination, and the development and execution of the Gala auction, including identifying, cultivating, and securing high-value auction items and experiences, including major “big-ticket” items and unique opportunities designed to maximize fundraising revenue

• Build and maintain relationships with businesses, families, community partners, and other prospective donors to secure auction donations, sponsorships, and other event-related support

• Plan, organize, and execute other Annual Fund events and donor engagement opportunities, including Giving Season events, End-of-Year Appreciation events, Grandparent Gatherings, the annual golf tournament, and any other fundraising events

• Participate in the planning and execution of capital fundraising campaigns and initiatives

Donor Development & Community Engagement

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward new prospects and donors, with particular emphasis on Freshman families, while building strong, long-term relationships through consistent and responsive engagement and securing in-person, one-time, and multi-year commitments aligned with Annual Fund and strategic objectives

• Lead new family engagement while representing Valor Christian in a variety of settings, demonstrating a strong knowledge of the school’s mission, vision, programs, activities, and distinctives and passionately articulating its vision and mission within the context of its larger Kingdom purpose

• Develop and maintain meaningful relationships with approximately 100 key individuals for whom Valor Christian’s mission and vision are of significant meaning and value, while also actively building relationships with families and community members more broadly to deepen engagement and identify opportunities for philanthropic support

• Coordinate one-on-one meetings with new families in partnership with the Chief Advancement Officer to understand their interests, connections, and opportunities for engagement and philanthropic support

• Ensure all donors are promptly acknowledged, appropriately recognized, thoughtfully stewarded, and consistently informed in a manner aligned with their giving and interests

• Partner with the Data Analytics Coordinator to analyze constituent data and identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement

• Collaborate closely with the Chief Advancement Officer, Advancement colleagues, and other departments to ensure alignment of fundraising and engagement efforts

 Serve Wholeheartedly as an Exceptional Teammate 

• Uphold and embody Valor’s culture as set forth in the Valor Culture Document

• Model servant leadership, grace and love in all relationships and interactions

• Develop relationships with colleagues with goals of teamwork, relational unity and spiritual growth

• Provide team support regarding all matters, processes and initiatives

• Demonstrate loyalty to teammates in action and word

• Assist Team members to facilitate school-wide wins
  

Demonstrate a Commitment to Fulfilling Valor’s Vision and Mission

• Assume collaborative responsibility for Operating Plan Goals and Fiscal stewardship

• Be a ‘culture- keeper’
   

Demonstrate a Commitment to Growth

• Participate in Valor Team meetings, Chapel and weekly meetings with Team/Supervisor

• Demonstrate teachability and receptivity to feedback

• Pursue professional, personal, and spiritual growth and development

• Participate in the broader ministry of Valor by contributing time, talent and treasure beyond assigned role responsibilities
  
  

RELATIONSHIPS

• Chief Advancement Officer

• Advancement Team (Director of Advancement, Alumni Relations Coordinator, and Data Analytics Coordinator)

• Marketing and Communications Team

• Parents, Alumni Parents, Grandparents and the greater Valor Community

• Donors on all levels, particularly the Freshman families

• Other Departments as necessary
  
  

RESULTS

Because of the excellent work of the Advancement Associate, Valor Christian High School strengthened its culture of generosity, deepened relationships with families, donors, and the broader community, and increased engagement with the Annual Fund. New and Freshman families were meaningfully engaged, donor cultivation and stewardship were strengthened, and new opportunities for philanthropic support were developed. The Annual Gala and auction were successfully executed, including the procurement of high-value items and experiences that enhanced donor engagement and fundraising outcomes. Through intentional relationship-building and collaboration across the school, the Advancement Associate helped expand long-term philanthropic support for the school’s mission and vision.  Ultimate success will be measured by parent participation, relationships with donors, and fundraising goals being achieved.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Bachelor’s Degree required

• 2+ years experience in fundraising and/or managing annual fund programs and campaigns

• Understanding of private philanthropy

• Prior experience in event coordination and execution preferred

• Strong understanding of database management and analytics; experience and familiarity with the Veracross software platform is a plus 

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills

• Outstanding communication skills, written and verbal

• Commitment to fostering a collaborative environment among faculty, staff, students, and families

• Proficiency in Google Suite and Microsoft Suite software programs

• Private school experience preferred
  
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The same basic physical demands described here are the same for all employees to successfully perform the essential functions of their jobs. Employees must periodically lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and could occasionally be required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, color vision, peripheral/depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics are varied and include on and off campus locations, classroom, office, and outdoor events while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is also varied.

POSITION TYPE: C, Year-round schedule. 12-Month Calendar. This position offices in-person, on campus

HOURS PER WEEK: Full Time, Exempt, Evening and weekend work as required

SUPERVISOR: Chief Advancement Officer

BENEFITS:

• Paid holidays, sick leave, vacation leave, and personal days

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance 

• 403(B) Retirement Plan with immediate vesting and employer contribution matching

• Professional development opportunities

• Three on-campus dining options for daily lunch

PAY RANGE: $65,000 - $80,000/year

START DATE: November 10, 2026