Overview

The Director of Advancement leads the creation and implementation of Our Sisters’ School’s development strategies in ways that support the OSS mission and ensure the School’s sustainable future.

Responsibilities

  • Manage and oversee all fundraising activities including major gift giving, annual appeal, grants, special events, corporate partnerships, and other giving programs.
  • Build on existing relationships, initiate new relationships, and improve donor engagement and retention through meaningful cultivation and stewardship.
  • Design and implement a strategic multi-year advancement plan to increase support from individual donors, corporate partners, and foundations through focused annual goals and activities.
  • Cultivate and maintain relationships with individual donors, corporations, foundations, alumni, parents, community organizations and other stakeholders, fostering a culture of giving and appreciation.
  • Lead and actively participate in prospective and major donor meetings.
  • Act as a spokesperson for OSS at external meetings, receptions, and other events to engage current and prospective donors and spread good news about the impact of an OSS education.
  • Partner and strategize with the Advancement Committee chair and the Board of Trustees to maximize board engagement and fund raising for the annual appeal, planned giving, and other programs.
  • Create board reports and materials illustrating development plans, forecasts, and progress.
  • Attend Governance Committee meetings. Work with the committee to develop and implement a Board engagement plan to harness their ideas, talents, and further connection with donors and community members.
  • Implement a comprehensive advancement communications strategy aligned with overall school messaging and fundraising goals.
  • Lead the conceptualization and creation of a suite of compelling communications, marketing materials, messaging tools, and content to inform and engage our community about OSS’ mission, programs, successes, and impact.
  • Design metrics to measure advancement results which will enable OSS to make strategic decisions and enhancements in its advancement goals and activities.
  • Work with input from the Head of School and Grants Committee, oversee grant opportunities research, preparation, submission, and reporting to ensure appropriate follow-up with grant-making organizations.
  • Ensure compliance with funder regulations and specific terms and conditions of grant awards.

Leadership and Management

  • Manage, coach, and retain an advancement team by fostering a culture of collaboration, skill-building, and knowledge sharing.
  • Recruit, train, and oversee volunteers in ways that maximize their involvement and interest in advancement efforts.
  • Partner with the Advancement Committee chair. Work closely with and support the Grants Committee and Storytelling Committee chairs.
  • Forecast and manage the development budget and resources effectively.
  • Actively manage and maintain a comprehensive database system, tracking gifts, donor and grant activity in collaboration with the Finance office.
  • Oversee the care and maintenance of archives.
  • Other duties as assigned.