For over 110 years, Cotter Schools has provided students from Winona, Minnesota and across the globe, with a challenging, faith-based, liberal arts education grounded in Catholic faith and values. The main campus is located on the scenic former campus of the College of St. Teresa in the city of Winona, in the Mississippi River valley in southeastern Minnesota. This beautiful, 23-acre campus includes a unique combination of renovated, historic university buildings blended with recently constructed or renovated state-of-the-art academic, athletic, and residential facilities.

The high school, named after Bishop Joseph Bernard Cotter, the first Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Winona, opened its doors on September 5, 1911, as a Diocesan boys' school directed by the Lasallian Christian Brothers. In 1913, eleven young men comprised the first graduating class. In 1952, the school became co-educational and the Brothers handed the operation of the school over to the Diocese. In 1989, Cotter High School revised its governance structure to become a private, independent, Catholic, co-educational high school. In 1998, Cotter Junior High School (grades 7 and 8) was established. Main Square Montessori opened its doors in the fall of 2019. In Summer 2020, grades 5 and 6 were welcomed to the Cotter family. Today, Cotter Schools serves over 900 students across four campuses.

As of the 2021-2022 school year, Cotter Schools encompasses all levels of Catholic education from ages 16-months through grade 12 and is home to students from the city of Winona, the surrounding region, and boarding students from several countries around the world.

It is an incredibly exciting time at Cotter Schools. In December, the school began work on a new kindergarten through grade six elementary school on the current site of Cotter’s former residential center, Loretto Hall. The design will include both renovation as well as new construction. The school will have the capacity for 600 students, additional classrooms for band, music, art, and STEM, as well as its own cafeteria, gym, library, and multiple outdoor play areas and green spaces.

Learn more about this blessed and thriving school community here.

The Vice President of Advancement will be responsible for building and leading the advancement team and for the development and strategic implementation of all aspects of fundraising including, but not limited to, capital campaigns, annual fund, alumni and community affairs, and communications. Reporting to the President, the Vice President of Advancement is a key member of the President’s leadership team and ensures best practices are in place that effectively and efficiently advance the mission, values, and strategic goals of the school through the collaborative efforts of the department.

Over the past few decades, Cotter Schools has benefitted from the generous support of a group of dedicated alumni families, resulting in over $150 million to expand and enhance the school’s mission. The Vice President of Advancement will play a critical role in stewarding this extraordinary philanthropic support. In addition, and with the support of the President, the Vice President of Advancement will implement a multi-level Advancement plan that will include alumni, corporate and business, foundation, endowment, special event, and direct engagement efforts.

The Vice President of Advancement will also be responsible for strengthening and diversifying Cotter Schools’ funding and will be further supported by the dedicated and gifted Board of Directors. Working with the President, the Vice President of Advancement will lead the team responsible for raising awareness, accessibility, and viability of Cotter Schools and the vital role the school plays in serving the ambitious students and families throughout the greater Winona region and beyond. This position offers an incredibly unique opportunity to serve in a beautiful Catholic community with a history of unparalleled financial support.

Additional information and our application procedures regarding this exciting executive leadership opportunity can be found in our detailed search prospectus here:

VIEW THE SEARCH PROSPECTUS

The school community is on a fast track to identify and secure its Vice President of Advancement. Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to connect with our search team today. The successful candidate is expected to assume responsibilities of this exciting executive leadership opportunity in Summer 2022.

Salary, benefits, and any needed relocation allowance are all very competitive with both the market and scope of position responsibilities.

This search is moving at a swift pace. Connect with us today!

Application Procedure

To apply, please submit the following materials, confidentially and as separate PDF attachments in one email to Michael Furey. Please include Cotter Schools in the subject field.

• Letter of Interest that aligns your experiences and skill sets with the current needs of the school as you understand them.
• Current resume with all appropriate dates included.
• List of five references including names, phone numbers, and email addresses. No references will be contacted without your knowledge and approval.

CONTACT

Michael Furey, Partner
mikefurey@partnersinmission.com
Partners in Mission School Leadership Search Solutions, LLC
Mobile: (570) 730-2655
www.partnersinmissionslss.com