Advancement Director

ABOUT FRIENDS SCHOOL

Friends School of Louisville was founded in 1980 by a group of parents and teachers who were seeking an opportunity for all their children, including those with special needs and abilities, to attend the same school. Registered as a nonprofit, nonsectarian and cooperative school, the mission is to provide an inclusive, noncompetitive, student-centered dynamic educational program where individual differences are respected and celebrated. Programs serve children in preschool to middle school and provide a caring and nurturing environment where the uniqueness of each child is celebrated. In the more than forty years since Friends School of Louisville began, we have continually upgraded our facilities, curriculum and program offerings to keep pace with the evolving educational needs and requirements of our students and families.  For nearly thirty years we have been located at St. John Lutheran Church on Breckenridge Lane.  

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the head of school, the Advancement Director is responsible for the overall planning, management, coordination, and evaluation of the development, grant writing, communications and constituent/public relations programs of the school - activities that create a supportive climate for enrollment and fundraising. This role is a new position in the organization and will have the opportunity to build and grow all development functions. The Advancement Director is expected to be a strategic thinker, knowledgeable about campaigns and communications, an effective manager, and a team player. The ideal candidate is an articulate and experienced leader who demonstrates the ability to organize our constituency toward a common goal. This is a high visibility position requiring a strong ability to build valued relationships on behalf of the school and its constituency.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Development

• Planning, management, and implementation of all fundraising and relationship building initiatives, including a capital campaign effort and any ​​development events.
• Plan, manage, and implement annual giving, major gifts, and events. This includes, but is not limited to prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Educate and engage key volunteers (i.e. Parent Volunteer Organization) in implementing mission-based fundraising.
• Work to create and support a culture of philanthropy within the school.
• Database planning: data acquisition and management.
• Oversee the management of databases as it relates to development, especially the updating and maintaining of the donor and alumni database.

Marketing

• Planning, management and implementation of the marketing, recruitment and retention of students. This includes but is not limited to open houses, school visits, brochure creation, etc.
• Working closely with key volunteers, coordinating external and internal marketing efforts and initiatives that attract and retain students in sufficient numbers to support the programs of the school.

Communications

• Setting and maintaining professional writing and design standards for school communications. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Print publications including school newsletter/magazine, marketing materials, giving program brochures, and direct mail pieces.
• Electronic communications including website and email.
• Media relations including advertising and press releases in local newspapers, local media coverage of school events.

Constituent Relations

• Identify, recruit, and engage volunteers including prospects, parents, alumni, grandparents, students, faculty and administrative staff, etc.
• Volunteer planning and management, particularly as it relates to​​ school events and the capital campaign.
• Work closely with the school board, staff and volunteers to assist them in their activities.

Governance and Organizational Leadership

• Promote understanding, acceptance and support of the mission statement, and objectives of the school.
• Set priorities to meet annual goals.
• Work closely with the development committee of the board to set and achieve goals and objectives.
• Meet regularly with the board and consultant groups, come prepared to all meetings, take thorough notes and follow-up with open items in a timely manner

QUALIFICATIONS

• Believe in and support the school mission and communicate a passion for Friends School education.
• Experience in development, sales, marketing, communication, and/or volunteer management.
• Demonstrated leadership and effectiveness in developing and accomplishing organizational goals.
• Proven success in capital fundraising and implementing organized campaigns.
• Experience in planning and organizing events.
• Ability to build a team, effectively recruiting and managing volunteers.
• Strong communication skills, ability to conceptualize and execute strategic plans, the ability to interact confidently and effectively with school staff, students, donors, trustees, school administration, the media and alumni.
• High level of technological proficiency with Microsoft products, Windows suite, Adobe, Publisher, InDesign, email applications, calendar functions and database software systems.
• High proficiency in public speaking, multi‐tasking, attention to detail, and customer service.
• Excellent oral and written skills with sound foundation in English grammar such as punctuation, syntax, spelling and proofreading.
• Strong project management skills.
• Proactive worker that is exceptional with prioritization, workload management and follow through skills.
• Experience in an independent school or not-for-profit environment preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in related field required.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Friends School is prepared to offer a salary in the range of $63,000 - $68,000, commensurate with experience. Friends School offers a collegial and flexible work environment. Benefits include health / dental / vision insurance, short-term disability / long-term disability / life insurance policies, tuition discount plan for dependent children, and a generous paid leave policy. Working hours are generally in keeping with a school-day / school-year schedule, including paid leave for school closures such as fall break, winter break, and spring break. The entire school is on an abbreviated schedule in the summer.

CONTACT

Ashley|Rountree and Associates has been exclusively retained by Friends School to oversee this search. To apply for this position please submit a cover letter and resume here. For confidential questions or inquiries, contact Lisa Resnik at LResnik@ashleyrountree.com.

Friends School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on gender, race, age, creed, sexual orientation, or any other protected class.

Salary : $63,000 - $68,000