Director of Development

Educator’s Ally partners with independent day and boarding schools throughout the U.S. in support of their faculty, staff and administrator hiring. Distinguished by their thoughtful and curated approach to search, EA connects schools to candidates across the full spectrum of disciplines, from senior leadership to first-year teachers.

Educator’s Ally is seeking Fundraising/Development Professionals to join some wonderful teams at independent schools nationwide.

Reporting to the Head of Advancement (HOA), the Director of Advancement will oversee and manage the staff and day-to-day operations of the Development Office. The Director of Advancement will work closely with the HOA and will manage a portfolio of leadership gift prospects including alumni and parents, as well as support the efforts of high-level volunteers, including our Trustees.

The incumbent must possess excellent judgment and knowledge regarding best advancement practices, and exceptional fundraising and campaigning skills. They will need to demonstrate success with motivating and supporting staff and volunteers, and a deep understanding of strategic Annual Giving and Alumnae Relations programs.

We seek someone who is committed to and willing to navigate today’s changing and diverse landscape. This individual will help the school promote and nurture diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Ability to interact effectively with all the constituencies of the school community: the Head of School, the administration, staff, faculty, the Board of Trustees, alumnae, parents, and friends of the school.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of leadership gift prospects.
• Partner with and oversee the activities of the annual fund and alumni programs.
• Analyze and use data to plan for and realize growth in the number of donors across all constituencies, through a direct mail program, personal outreach, volunteer management, social media and more.
• Partner with communications staff to develop communications and marketing collateral for diverse media and communication outreach.
• Recruit, organize, and oversee volunteer committees for fundraising initiatives.
• Travel for individual prospect visits as needed and to increase engagement and solicit support.
• Collaborate with colleagues in the administrative offices (including, but not limited to Head of School, Admissions, Student Life, and Communications) to create and maintain pathways for alumnae participation that advance the goals of the school.
• Guide and support the work of the Alumnae Relations team to facilitate robust campus events, including Reunion Weekend, Commencement, Family Weekend, and other related programs.
• Partner with the Chief Communications Officer to strategically plan, develop, and execute program collateral and communications strategies for the Development Office.

Qualifications:

• 7-10 years progressive experience in advancement preferably in an independent school setting and/or higher education.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Demonstrated success in management of fundraising staff and events staff and ability to motivate and inspire direct reports.
• Experience in translating goals into metrics-driven action.
• A sophisticated advancement professional who possesses strong frontline fundraising skills and a track record of successful annual and major gift solicitation of both alumnae and parents.
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal skills, passion and integrity.
• Ability to oversee the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift and annual fund leadership donors.
• Knowledge and experience in prospect tracking, stewardship and reporting procedures and all aspects of annual giving programs.
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge is a plus.
• Knowledge and experience in planned giving preferred, but not required.
• Experience managing volunteers, including members of governing boards.
• Experience with fundraising within a campaign environment preferred