Director of Advancement

The Director of Advancement at Children’s Academy leads and manages the school's fundraising, marketing, and communication efforts. This position reports directly to the Head of School and is responsible for strategically building a tradition of giving among the school community, promoting the school’s brand, cultivating relationships with key constituent groups, and soliciting gifts that support the school’s mission. Additionally, the Director oversees all external communications ensuring that the school maintains a clear and consistent voice to its stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities include:

· Works closely with the Head of School, Senior Administrative Team, and other key members of the school community to create and execute the school's comprehensive strategic fundraising plan

· Develops and meets fundraising goals, understanding the critical role that donor participation plays in ensuring the success of the school's mission

· Develop an overarching strategy that includes appropriate internal and external donor cultivation, personal contact, effective solicitation, and ongoing relationship-building

· Oversees the Alumni, Marketing, and Communications operations

· Develops and directs major fundraising initiatives, major gifts, planned giving, and grants

· Organizes and oversees special events

· Initiates and maintains contact with internal and external major donors, building meaningful relationships

· Conducts independent research, to identify prospective donors from a variety of constituencies

· Supervises the database manager to ensure the proper receiving, allocating, recording, and acknowledging of all gifts

· Drafts, with support, the annual budget for the Advancement office

· Serves on the Senior Administrative Team

Requirements:

· An authentic desire to elevate Children’s Academy and advance its mission

· Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, or other applicable field; master’s degree preferred

· Experience in development, marketing, or related field, preferably two to five years of fundraising experience

· Demonstrated accomplishments in growing the number of donors and revenue, specifically relating to fundraising

· Fluency with donor tracking software and social media platforms

· Outstanding communication skills, both oral and written, and superior interpersonal skills, with a natural way of connecting with various constituents and audiences

· Experience in donor prospecting, in cultivating and developing relationships with key donors, and in achieving success with major gifts

· Understanding of how to build and expand the donor base through a variety of appropriate and effective strategies that are carefully shaped and uniquely targeted to various constituencies

· Ability to manage/oversee special events with an eye towards helping donors to connect at a deeper level with the school and especially the students

· Ability to provide meaningful, productive engagement opportunities for volunteers assisting with the advancement initiatives

· Skilled problem-solver and critical, strategic thinker who will meet challenges with creative and effective solutions

· A mature understanding of the critical role that Advancement plays in fulfilling the school’s mission, and a relentless commitment to achieving Advancement goals

· Resourceful, committed, self-directed, and goal-oriented with an entrepreneurial spirit, a strong work ethic, and keen attention to detail

· Political savvy to appreciate and navigate a complex, challenging environment, using discretion, diplomacy, enthusiasm, and hospitality to build bridges and create connections among all partners who would support The Children’s Academy