Note:

Congressional School, in Falls Church, VA, has engaged DovetailED to lead a search for a Director of Advancement and External Affairs. Interested candidates should review the Opportunity Statement and submit a cover letter, resume, and list of references as a consolidated PDF to Lynda Hamilton-Kirk, Managing Partner at [email protected].

Congressional School Director of Advancement and External Affairs Statement Link: https://bit.ly/congressionaldoa.

Summary

Congressional School seeks an experienced, dynamic Director of Advancement and External Affairs to define a vision for advancement, parent and alumni relations, and implement the necessary infrastructure that strengthens a culture of philanthropy. The Director is a key member of the School's Leadership Team and provides meaningful input on a full range of issues facing the school. In addition to formal duties, the successful candidate must be an integral member of the school community and take an active interest in social and community-building activities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Leadership: Reports to the Head of School and serves as a key member of the Leadership Team.
• Team Management: Leads the Advancement Team, providing guidance to the Advancement Associate.
• Fundraising: In partnership with the Head of School, forms the team that serves as the chief fundraiser to cultivate and solicit major gifts with priorities in growing endowment, fortifying the Annual Fund and laying a strong foundation for future capital campaigns.
• External Affairs: Develops and maintains strategic partnerships with key business, community, academic, and philanthropic organizations as well as strengthening Congressional School's network with peer AISGW schools.
• Annual Giving: Responsible for the successful implementation and delivery of the school's Annual Fund with a goal of growing the fund year over year to $500K in three years.
• Strategic Planning: Develops the annual advancement plan in concert with the Head of School and the current Strategic Plan.
• Community Presence: Maintains a regular presence in the School community by attending a variety of school events. Works closely with CSPO (parent association) in partnering on initiatives of the CSPO and their events. Performs other duties as assigned by the Head of School.
• Budgetary Oversight: Develops an annual budget directly linked to department priorities and works with the CFO/COO to ensure prudent expenses.
• Alumni Relations: Develops, implements, and manages a strong alumni base with a goal toward increasing fundraising initiatives.
• Campaign Management: Designs, organizes, manages, and implements all capital and endowment campaigns.
• Grants: Identifies and solicits corporate and foundation grants.
• Philanthropic Culture: Develops a culture of philanthropy, fostering goodwill with constituents at every level and cultivating connections within and outside the school community.
• Visibility: Identifies opportunities to increase the visibility of Congressional School among AISGW, VAIS, and NAIS schools to build the School's reputation as a mission-driven community player.
• Marketing & Communications: Assists the Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications with the planning and implementation of the School's long-range marketing plan.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree, preferably in a related field.
• Experience: a minimum 8-10 years of experience in development, preferably in an independent school, with five years leadership experience.
• Expertise: Deep knowledge of fundraising, communications, marketing, and current best practices in development and external affairs.
• Relationship Management: Proven track record of cultivating relationships and ease in working with donors, parents, board members, and stakeholders.
• Technical Proficiency: Previous experience with Blackbaud's Raiser's Edge; proficiency in basic data management systems and computer applications.
• Communications: Strong oral and written communication skills with a high capacity for accuracy and attention to detail.
• Soft Skills: Excellent judgment, ability to work in a changing environment, sense of humor, warm personality, and a growth-mindset.
• Collaboration: Excels in a collaborative work environment and is results-oriented.