Director of Development

Notre Dame Academy is seeking a skilled Director of Development to serve as the lead fundraiser for the school.

The Academy desires a joyful, dedicated professional who can activate the philanthropic potential within the NDA community to support the sustainability of the only all girls’ independent school in Central Massachusetts.

Located in Worcester, Massachusetts, Notre Dame Academy (NDA) is a dynamic, independent, Catholic school for girls in grades 7-12 sponsored by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.

Welcoming girls of all faiths, the Academy provides transformational experiences that “teach them what they need to know for life.” Graduates are confident women who are lifelong learners, spiritual seekers, and compassionate global citizens.

Notre Dame Academy's philosophy of education is built on the belief that education should prepare students for their roles as women in the world.

In order to learn to make responsible choices, Notre Dame students have the freedom to learn in a school dedicated to high academic standards, and to involve themselves in the community, both utilizing its resources and serving its people.

NDA strives to exemplify the distinct Hallmarks of a Notre Dame de Namur Learning Community , fostering a culture of collaboration, interactive teamwork, open and direct communication, and respect for the dignity and sacredness of each individual.

The faculty and staff comprise a committed team who fully embrace the mission and core values of the school and its all-female profile striving to create a nurturing and empowering environment for each young woman.

Both high school (9-12) and St.

Julie Division (7-8) students have access to distinctive programming aligned with the educational and developmental needs of these girls.

Notre Dame Academy stands at a pivotal and inspiring moment in its history.

As the school prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2026, it is actively engaged in a comprehensive strategic planning initiative designed to amplify its vision and resources to support another 75 years of success.

Concurrently, a visionary Campus Master Plan is underway, presenting a unique opportunity to reimagine the role of the historic 1910 Knollwood Mansion as a vibrant part of campus life.

In partnership with Head of School Linda Anderson and a dedicated Board of Directors, the next Director of Development will be instrumental in advancing the Academy’s mission and vision along with the Head of School.

The Director will design and execute a development strategy that honors and extends the legacy of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and the enduring values of Notre Dame Academy.

To learn more about the school and Linda’s vision, please visit NDA Forward .

The Director of Development will build upon the school's mission to educate and empower a generation of women and will execute a development strategy that honors and extends the legacy of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and the enduring values of Notre Dame Academy. Reporting to the Head of School, the Director of Development is a member of the senior leadership team and will lead all aspects of the school’s philanthropic and engagement efforts.This position is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious, self-motivated professional who is eager to lead a best practices program and who understands how to prioritize the work and operate in a resource constrained environment. NDA has engaged a consultant to lay the foundation upon which the successful candidate will build.

As a leading face of the Academy, the Director of Development will possess a genuine passion for educating girls and young women.

The candidate will be comfortable and confident advocating and enlisting support for providing transformative educational experiences and leadership opportunities to recognize and develop each student’s unique individual talents and potential.

The Director of Development will apply excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.

An active listener, kind and thoughtful, the Director of Development will act as a relationship builder and positive role model for students and faculty alike, embodying the school’s values and mission.

• Develop and implement annual and long-range strategic goals, priorities, and initiatives to successfully raise annual, capital, endowment, and planned gifts from a variety of constituencies in support of the Academy’s overall mission and goals.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of the school’s top donors and prospects capable of making annual fund leadership and major gifts prospects and donors.
• Partner with the Head of School and the Board of Trustees in developing an overall development strategy to promote the mission of the school and communicate its value proposition and funding priorities.
• Work in close partnership with the Head of School to identify, engage, and cultivate the school’s lead donors.
• Develop and manage short- and long-term plans, goals, and budgets for the development and donor relations program and its activities. Monitor progress, assure adherence and evaluate performance.
• Lead the development staff and build the team over time.
• Collaborate with the Director of Marketing and Communications on development communications, social media, and related marketing strategies.
• Work with the Director of Finance and Administration on regular review of revenue generation from philanthropy, and to ensure the timely depositing, processing, and acknowledgment of development gifts.
• Serve as liaison to the Marketing and Development Committee of the Board of Directors and provide routine updates and data driven reports.
• Create new and expand existing alumnae, parent, and past parent programs, including reunions, affinity groups, speaker series, mentoring and internship programs.

• A team player who values relationship building and has the desire and ability to work collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders, including members of the Board of Trustees, leadership team, students, faculty, staff, alumnae, and parents.
• Passion for all women’s education and empowering young women to become exemplars of courage.
• Experience implementing, and evaluating systems and processes to ensure smooth and successful fundraising and alumnae engagement operations.
• High professional and ethical standards for handling confidential information.
• Ability to organize and complete multiple tasks simultaneously with close attention to detail and prioritization to meet deadlines.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills; demonstrated personal solicitation experience.
• Strong computer skills and knowledge of database research and maintenance.
• Must be able to travel and work evenings and weekends as needed.
• 5+ years of frontline fundraising experience in an educational setting is preferred but not required.
• Familiarity with Blackbaud’s Raiser Edge or related fundraising CRMs.

Notre Dame Academy is an equal opportunity employer.

Guided by the mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, we celebrate the inherent dignity and value in each person as central to the work of creating justice and peace for all through education.

We adhere to all mandates prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability or handicap, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or military veteran’s status.

Notre Dame Academy invites candidates to join in this process who bring a substantive and varied combination of educational pursuits and lived experiences that demonstrate the capacity to make a meaningful contribution as the leader of its community.

Interested candidates, please contact Narwhal Talent Partners:

• by voice, text, or email:

[email protected]

Compensation for this role includes benefits and an annual salary of $85,000-$110,000.

Research shows that some professionals only explore opportunities if they meet all preferred qualifications.

In our recruiting experience, no one meets 100% of the listed qualifications.

We look forward to your expression of interest.

All inquiries are treated as confidential.