Moravian Academy
Director of Strategic Campaign Initiatives & Major Gifts
DEERFIELD ASSOCIATES has been retained by Moravian Academy to conduct a national search for a Director of Strategic Campaign Initiatives & Major Gifts.
Moravian Academy is an independent, co-educational, college-preparatory day school ranging from Preschool through Grade 12 located in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, with campuses in Bethlehem and Allentown, Pennsylvania www.moravianacademy.org.
Founded in 1742, Moravian Academy is comprised of approximately 850 students and 200 faculty and staff on three distinct campuses across the Lehigh Valley, each tailored to a distinct student experience and culture:
- The Historic Downtown Campus (preschool–grade 8), situated alongside the national historic landmark in the heart of the City of Bethlehem;
- The Swain Campus (preschool–grade 8), a 22-acre contemporary campus in the beautiful west end of Allentown;
- The Merle-Smith Campus (grades 9–12), situated on 120 acres of bucolic green expanse in Bethlehem Township.
The school emphasizes its guiding principle, “Your child is multi-dimensional. So are we.” meaning the school focuses on the whole student — mind, body, spirit.
From preschool through 12th grade, the school’s academic program intentionally gives every student more to explore—in classrooms, on campuses, in the wider world, and in themselves. The Academy’s expert faculty members combine hands-on, student-driven experiences with evidence-based best practices that ensure subject-matter mastery. Children grow up loving to learn—and do so with exceptional skill, enthusiasm, and purpose.
Director of Strategic Campaign Initiatives & Major Gifts
The Director of Strategic Campaign Initiatives and Major Gifts is responsible for leading, coordinating, and executing all aspects of the school’s comprehensive fundraising campaigns and other major strategic initiatives. The Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for campaign planning, implementation, and management, ensuring alignment with the school’s mission, strategic plan, and philanthropic priorities. In addition, the new hire will also serve as a front-line advancement professional in a major gifts role capacity cultivating and developing a portfolio of high-end prospects of both alumni and parents. The opportunity is available immediately and will be filled following a comprehensive national search and the candidate of choice is identified. Candidates who are not able to start until July 2026 are encouraged to explore.
This role collaborates closely with the Advancement Office, senior leadership, the Board of Trustees, and key volunteers to design and deliver a multi-year campaign that enhances the school’s financial sustainability and advances its strategic vision.
This newly created position reports directly to Bob Zaiser, Director of Institutional Advancement. Bob has held this position since 2006 and is part of the Academy’s Senior Leadership team. This high-profile opportunity will be a significant partner of the Academy’s preparing for and launching a new capital campaign.
The Opportunity
The Office of Institutional Advancement includes the Director, a Director of Annual Giving and Special Campaigns, an Advancement Associate who focuses on events, a Database Manager, and an Associate Director of Institutional Advancement – Alumni and Parent Engagement. Most of the Advancement staff have been at the school for several years.
The position of Director of Strategic Campaign Initiatives is open because Moravian Academy is getting ready to begin a capital campaign. The Director of Strategic Campaign Initiatives reports to the Director of Institutional Advancement. Alumni are active at Moravian Academy. Participation from alumni in the Annual Fund is about 11% and parent participation is about 62%. Alumni are active and engaged in a variety of avenues, including a robust Alumni Reunion in the Fall, a popular Athletic Hall of Fame, and alumni visits throughout the United States through the Academy’s Coast to Coast tours. Parents are involved in many activities through the Family Association on each campus. There are more than 6,000 solicitable alumni, parents, and parents of alumni in our database.
The Annual Fund raises more than $600,000, and the school has raised more than $3,000,000 each of the last four years. The school’s endowment is $32 million. The last Capital Campaign was conducted from 2008 through 2013, and $7.5 million was raised for a new Athletic and Wellness Center and endowments. Moravian Academy is planning a feasibility study with several initiatives, including a new turf field and other athletic facility improvements — $2–4 million, A Center for Civic Leadership and Innovation — $1 million, and major campus enhancements to the Merle-Smith (Upper School) Campus — $21 million. The total anticipated cost of these projects is approximately $25 million.
Essential Functions
Campaign Strategy and Planning
- Partners with the Head of School, Director of Institutional Advancement, and Board leadership to design and implement a multi-phase strategic fundraising campaign.
- Develops comprehensive campaign plans, including a case for support, gift pyramid, timeline, and metrics for success.
- Conducts prospect review, donor analyses, and prospect segmentation in partnership with Advancement colleagues.
- Manages relationships with campaign consultants, vendors, and communications partners as needed.
Leadership and Collaboration
- Serves as the primary internal campaign manager and liaison to campaign committees and volunteer leadership.
- In collaboration with the Director of Advancement, partners with Advancement staff to ensure coordination between campaign efforts and annual giving, alumni engagement, and stewardship programs.
- Supports and engages trustees and volunteers in campaign cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Donor Strategy and Engagement
- Manages a portfolio of major and lead gift prospects, focusing on campaign-related solicitations of five to seven figures.
- Develops customized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for key donors.
- Coordinates campaign events, briefings, and recognition opportunities.
Data, Reporting, and Communication
- Oversees campaign reporting and progress tracking, ensuring accuracy and transparency of data.
- Collaborates with the Head of School and the Director of Institutional Advancement to develop campaign materials, case statements, and digital content.
- Prepares reports and presentations for the Board of Trustees, Advancement Committee, and the Head of School.
- Monitors and evaluates campaign effectiveness and recommends adjustments to strategy as needed.
Qualifications & Competencies
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive experience in advancement, campaign management, or related nonprofit development roles.
- Proven success in planning and executing major fundraising campaigns.
- Demonstrated ability to secure major gifts and engage high-level donors and volunteers.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with constituents from the entire school community.
- Excellent project management and organizational skills.
- Demonstrated leadership and facilitative skills.
- Ability to understand and embrace Moravian Academy’s mission and culture.
- Ability to balance and prioritize the needs of the school.
- Familiarity with learning management systems, Macintosh OS, Google Workspace, and Blackbaud preferred.
- Proficiency with Raiser’s Edge.
- Collaborative leadership style and ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
- Knowledge of independent school culture and values preferred.
- Strategic thinker with a deep understanding of philanthropy and donor motivation.
- Creative problem-solver with high integrity and discretion who demonstrates strong interpersonal skills, self-awareness, and ability to navigate sensitive situations with diverse stakeholders.
- Results-oriented professional who effectively manages multiple priorities while maintaining composure, professionalism, and attention to detail under pressure.
- Passion for education and commitment to advancing the mission of independent schools.
- A strong team player.
- Committed to diversity and inclusion.
Academy Mission
Moravian Academy’s mission is to nurture the joyful spirit of each learner and empower inclusive global citizens to think critically, communicate effectively, lead with integrity, and strive for excellence. Immersed in a community that values creativity, curiosity, love, and understanding, our students seek to answer the questions: Who am I and who can I become.
Head of School
Adrianne Finley Odell
Adrianne was named head of school in 2022, after first serving as Moravian’s Interim Head of School. In short order, Adrianne impressed the Board with her leadership skills, her focus on community and teambuilding, and her ability to lift people up and encourage them to be their best. She believes in fostering academic excellence and an educational environment that inspires young people to master the skills that will help them thrive in a rapidly changing world. A transparent leader with strong listening skills, Adrianne is committed to building a positive and inclusive school culture. She cares deeply about hearing from all constituencies, and her respect for people and for learning are already apparent on campus.
Adrianne came to Moravian Academy from Roycemore School in Evanston, Illinois, where she served as Head of School for five years. Previously, she spent seven years at Shorecrest Preparatory School in Florida, first as Director of Advancement and then as Assistant Head of School. She also served as Director of Development for seven years at The Calverton School in Maryland. Adrianne has additional experience in non-profit development and is a Certified Fundraising Executive. She holds a master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Hawai’i Manoa and a B.A. in International Studies and Economics from Ohio State. In addition, she has participated in leadership development through the NAIS Fellowship for Aspiring School Heads and The Harvard University Graduate School of Education.
Benefits
Moravian Academy offers a dynamic and supportive work environment, competitive salaries, and a generous benefits package including a retirement plan with employer-matching, a full array of insurance plans, and generous support for professional growth. Moravian Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and seeks candidates who will add to the diversity of the school community.
Contact Information
To explore this high-profile opportunity on a highly confidential basis, please send your résumé and a letter of interest, along with a list of your top four (4) references including contact information (who will be contacted only if mutual interest is determined) to:
Doug Cooney
Executive Search Consultant
DEERFIELD ASSOCIATES Executive Search, Inc.
572 Washington Street, Suite 15
Wellesley, MA 02482
Telephone: 781-237-2800
Email: jobs@deerfieldassociates.com
