Senior Director of Advancement

Apr 15

Anticipated Start Date: July 1

Description

Viewpoint School is currently seeking a Senior Director of Advancement to join its Advancement operation at a pivotal moment of growth in the lead up to a capital campaign. Reporting Directly to the Assistant Head Of School for External Affairs, the Senior Director will serve as a key thought partner, creative strategist, and skilled manager on a 10-person team that currently raises $5M annually.

Responsible for raising more than $1 million annually from a robust portfolio of current and past parents, grandparents, alumni, and special friends, the Senior Director will be an accomplished gift officer with a proven track record in annual, major, and legacy giving and the ability to lead a team of professionals in the implementation of Viewpoint’s individual giving program. This includes the Viewpoint Fund and Annual Benefit as well as the nascent Legacy Society and Grandparents Council. In addition to ensuring the ongoing success of annual fundraising programs, the Senior Director will work closely with the AHOS and Director of Prospect Research Strategy to identify and cultivate major donors for capital projects on the horizon.

There is tremendous opportunity for philanthropic growth at Viewpoint, and the Senior Director will be a key player in further establishing a major gifts program, instituting best practices in moves management, and identifying areas of strategic pipeline expansion, especially with regards to alumni. This is an exciting and challenging role that offers an ambitious individual the chance to help shape the contours of a best-in-class advancement operation while also contributing to campaign planning in partnership with school leadership. The ideal candidate will be an entrepreneurial, energetic, and goal-oriented individual with significant frontline fundraising and management experience, ideally in a campaign environment.

The individual will be an exceptional communicator in verbal, written, and presentation forms with excellent interpersonal skills to work collaboratively and across a complex TK-12 independent school. The individual will be highly organized and adept at prioritizing and managing multiple projects simultaneously in a busy, fast-paced office. The individual will be a skilled mentor who can advise and set strategy for best practices in donor engagement.

Responsibilities

The Senior Director is responsible for raising more than $1 million annually with a goal of significantly growing major gifts and the donor pipeline as the School prepares for a major capital campaign.
Independently manage a robust portfolio through all phases of the giving cycle, from validation and engagement through cultivation, solicitation, gift negotiation, and stewardship; develop individualized strategies to match prospects’ interests with organizational needs
Conduct 75+ prospect visits annually; manage communications and follow-up, including updating Raiser’s Edge NXT with contact reports and moves management information on all prospects in the portfolio
Act as a trusted thought partner to the AHOS of External Affairs on all matters related to to establishing a more pervasive culture of philanthropy at Viewpoint, including the creation of multi-year operating plans that support key areas of growth in the lead-up to a campaign such as major giving, alumni engagement, and volunteerism Lead a team of professionals in the growth of annual, major, and legacy giving, with a particular focus in year one on streamlining and enhancing the Viewpoint Fund through volunteerism, marketing, and events that strengthen the retention, acquisition, and upgrade of donors
Ensure frontline staff members have the tools needed to accomplish their jobs; evaluate areas needing focus and growth and recommend professional development opportunities
Partner with the Director of Prospect Research Strategy to implement a data-driven approach to fundraising productivity Provide support to AHOS of External Affairs in preparation for Advancement Committee meetings and Board of Trustee meetings
Produce compelling, high-level, personalized project proposals, reports, correspondence, solicitations, email appeals, and other materials as needed
Work closely with Marketing and Communications to create plans aimed at broadcasting the importance of philanthropy at Viewpoint in compelling ways
Help oversee program budgets ensuring revenue targets are reached and expenses managed with a focus on ROI
Other responsibilities as assigned

Requirements

Experience, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Required

Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree preferred 7-10 years of fundraising and management experience, with a proven track record of closing gifts of $100,000 and above Campaign experience preferred
Experience working in education is preferred. Understanding of the mission and purpose of independent schools is highly desirable.
Experience raising restricted gifts in a campaign environment preferred. Team player with a can-do attitude and willingness to help others
Experience hiring and managing a team, setting clear goals, responsibilities, timelines, expectations, and clear methods of accountability
Highly organized and detail oriented with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and projects, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Strategic thinker, diplomatic and discerning, with sound judgment and a collaborative style that fosters teamwork and cooperation
Excellent interpersonal skills with a collaborative approach to working with staff at all organizational levels, including volunteers and board members
Ability to be creative, enterprising, persuasive, and tactful
Ability to deliver exceptional customer service via all channels (phone, email, in-person, etc.)
Demonstrated commitment to inclusive fundraising practices that foster a sense of community and belonging
Data-driven and digital first mentality, with the ability to work collaboratively in a Google cloud-based environment
Ability to use current desktop and cloud-based technologies proficiently and ability to adapt to and use future technologies CRM experience required (Raiser’s Edge/NXT preferred)
Ability to work evenings for prospect dinners and events as needed
Ability and willingness to travel locally in greater Los Angeles area for prospect visits and events

Salary Range and Employee Benefits

Anticipated base compensation is $175,000-$200,000 depending on experience.

How to Apply for this Job

Apply Now

About the Organization

Viewpoint School is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school serving 1,200 students in grades TK-12. Viewpoint is located in the Santa Monica Mountains of Los Angeles County on a 40-acre campus in Calabasas, close to the countless urban and recreational destinations Los Angeles has to offer. Viewpoint School prioritizes the quality of the student experience within a context of achievement, and encourages broad student participation in academic and co-curricular opportunities.

The school community is unified by a shared set of values and seeks always to strengthen its culture of learning, purpose, caring, and challenge. Viewpoint asks teachers to create relational classroom climates conducive to collaboration, creativity, and application. Employees are part of a dynamic community of bright, engaged students and colleagues. Balancing academic achievement with student wellness is also a priority for the School.

WOC is not responsible for the content of job postings.