Senior Director of Mission

Kolbe Cathedral Preparatory School
Bridgeport, Connecticut

About Kolbe Cathedral Preparatory School

Kolbe Cathedral Preparatory School in Bridgeport, CT is seeking its first Senior Director of Mission Advancement. Employed by the Catholic Community Foundation of Fairfield County and focused primarily on Kolbe Cathedral, the Senior Director will serve as the senior executive responsible for advancing the school's long-term growth, external engagement, and strategic direction.

The early 1960s marked the opening of several Catholic secondary schools in the Diocese of Bridgeport, among them Kolbe Boys' High School, staffed by the Franciscans, and Cathedral Girls' High School, staffed by the Daughters of the Holy Spirit. In June 1976, Bishop Walter Curtis closed Kolbe, and that September Cathedral was renamed Kolbe Cathedral High School, a co-educational secondary school.

Today, Kolbe Cathedral blends the traditions of both schools into a strong, diverse, value-centered college preparatory school.

Kolbe Cathedral forms young people of intellectual competence, deep faith, and strength of character. Its graduates care for others in the spirit of Christ and dare to make a difference by living the Gospel message.

Kolbe Cathedral is a Catholic, co-educational, four-year urban high school established by the Diocese of Bridgeport and dedicated to serving a diverse, multicultural population of about 325 students. Formed by the witness of St. Maximilian Kolbe and the call to "Forming Scholars. Forming Saints.", Kolbe serves a talented, high-achieving student body drawn largely from families facing significant economic challenges. Every graduating class earns 100% college acceptance, and the school's work study program applies student wages directly to tuition.

Kolbe Cathedral is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the Connecticut Department of Education.

To learn more about this amazing school community, please visit their website here.

The Senior Director of Mission Advancement role extends beyond traditional school development. Reporting to the President of the Catholic Community Foundation of Fairfield County, the Senior Director will work closely with the Kolbe Cathedral Principal, the Kolbe Board, Catholic Community Foundation of Fairfield County leadership, and Diocesan leadership to connect philanthropy, student body growth, marketing and positioning, strategic partnerships, and long-term institutional planning into one coordinated growth strategy.

Philanthropic support will be raised through the Catholic Community Foundation of Fairfield County for the benefit of Kolbe Cathedral, with the Senior Director leading Kolbe-focused advancement within the Foundation's broader major gift and development platform.

Key areas of impact include:

• Executive Strategy and Board
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Partner with the Kolbe Board and Principal, Catholic Community Foundation of Fairfield County, and Diocesan leadership to define and advance Kolbe's annual and multi-year strategic priorities, and provide board-level analysis, recommendations, and reporting.
• Fundraising and Philanthropic Growth:
  Grow support from major donors, alumni, foundations, corporations, and community partners; build and manage a portfolio of leadership-level prospects; and develop compelling cases for support tied to scholarships, student success, programs, facilities, and long-term priorities.
• Student Body Growth, Market Position and Partnerships:
  Partner with school leadership to strengthen recruitment, retention, and Kolbe's competitive market position, and build relationships with parishes, schools, colleges, employers, foundations, corporations, and…