Director of Advancement

DAMIEN MEMORIAL SCHOOL

JOB DESCRIPTION: DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT

DEPARTMENT: ADMINISTRATION

PREPARED BY: PRINCIPAL

REPORTS TO: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PREPARED DATE: Apr 16, 2025

FLSA STATUS: 12-MONTH; Exempt

APPROVED BY: PRESIDENT

SALARY RANGE: $60,000-$80,000 annually

APPROVED DATE: Apr 16, 2025

POSITION SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:

The Director of Advancement reports to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and collaborates with the entire leadership team including the President, Principal, Director of Marketing & Communications, and the Director of Admissions. The Director of Advancement is responsible for all aspects of fundraising including the Annual Fund, Major Gifts, Special Events, Grants, Endowments, and Capital Campaigns. This position’s responsibilities are managed via the individual’s own direct efforts as well as leading efforts from other departments and volunteers. This position requires leading others, collaboratively, while encompassing cooperation and leveraging of skills from diverse groups including parents, students, alumni, leadership team, faculty, and staff.

• Develops and oversees fundraising strategies, fundraising plan and donor relationships, including donor recognition and stewardship.
Evaluates current fundraising strategies and methods and recommends changes as appropriate.
• Presents to the Board of Directors and President an annual development plan for achieving specific goals.
• Oversees, leads and guides the Annual Fund, Special Events, Major Donor Program and Grants to meet or exceed annual development plan income goals.
• Oversees, leads and guides major events (e.g., Annual Fund, Luau, Malasada Day, Alumni Week, Golf Tournament, etc.) and works with leadership to recruit parent volunteers to head and serve on the committees.
• Oversees, leads and updates all functions of in-kind donations. Including updating all information on Damien Memorial School website
• Develop monthly fundraising activities that have combined efforts with both DOH ( Damien Ohana), Parents, and Alumni.
• Oversees all aspects of the grant-writing programs.
• Identify and research prospective donors, including individuals, major donors, alumni, corporations, foundations, organizations; develops and maintains relationships.
• Makes timely and accurate responses to donor concerns, requests, and gifts.
• Works with leadership (e.g., Administration, Board of Directors, etc.) to reach fundraising goals, to engage the Board in fundraising activities, and to identify new individual and corporate funding prospects.
Prepares solicitation materials, including, but not limited to direct mail appeals and newsletters.
• Recruits and trains volunteers
Educates stakeholders about fundraising
• Negotiates gifts and gift agreements
• Records gifts in the database management system according to all IRS specifications, and DMS school policies and procedures.
Provides acknowledgements and tax acknowledgements of gifts on behalf of DMS.
• Conducts donor recognition and stewardship programs to include updating donor and alumni information.
• Solicits pledges and manages expediting of pledge billings.
• Promptly delivers all donations to the Business Office (e.g., checks, cash, securities, etc.).

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be comfortable using a Mac and/or MacBook
Must be proficient in using the Google Workspace (e.g., GMail, Google Drive, Google Meet) Must have a proven track record of raising funds from individuals and foundations.
• Must have proficient knowledge of cash, stock, securities, planned giving, and recurring donations and a basic knowledge of the tax benefits to donors.
• Must have a working knowledge of tax acknowledgements.
Minimum of 3 years of Development experience with an emphasis on individual giving.
• Prior experience with major gifts preferred.
• Prior experience with foundation and corporate grant writing preferred.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Demonstrate senior leadership with strategic, policy, and budget planning experience
• Excellent understanding of principles and techniques of Development activities, including annual giving, major giving, planned giving, event planning, capital campaigns, annual reporting, marketing and communications, and grant procurement.
• Experience in the design and implementation of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for prospects.
Excellent written and oral communications - persuasive, engaging, clear, likable, intelligent.
• Great people skills - is liked and respected.
• Excellent planning skills - organized; communicates; follows through; evaluates.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and to adapt to changing environments and priorities.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, networking, facilitation and management skills.
• Work both independently and within a team-oriented structure.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking, negotiations and effective communication with diverse audiences, including the ability to speak persuasively.
• Innovative and entrepreneurial approach, including solutions to complex issues.
• Exercise good judgment and decision making.
• Has the ability to work well under pressure and the ability to reason, think creatively, and solve problems.
• Requires some work in evenings and weekends as well as travel.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
Position requires absolute confidentiality and professionalism in appearance, attitude and presentation.
• A self-starter with the ability to work productively and meet benchmarks and goals timely and without days-to-day supervision

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree
Candidate must have proven track record of raising funds from individuals and foundations Minimum of 3 years of development experience with an emphasis on individual giving Prior experience with major gifts preferred and foundation and corporate grant writing
• Experience in the design and implementation of cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies for prospects
• Excellent understanding of principles and techniques of development activities, including annual giving, major giving, planned giving, event planning, capital campaigns, annual reporting, marketing and communications, and grant procurement
• Experience with strategic, policy, and budget planning experience

WORK SCHEDULE: School hours are M-F 7:30am-4:00pm. Hours can be flexible based on activities/events. Some weekend and evening hours.

Damien Memorial School is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable environment in which faculty and staff can excel irrespective of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, or any other protected class

covered by state and federal law. Damien Memorial School encourages applications from veterans and individuals with disabilities. A pre-employment background investigation is performed on candidates selected for employment.