Director of Advancement

The Washington Market School 

Position Title: Director of Advancement

Department: Advancement 

Reporting to: Head of School

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Full time, 12 months, 8:15 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Salary Range: $130-$150K depending on experience

Founded in 1976, The Washington Market School is a non-profit preschool serving children ages 2-5 that skillfully blends the time-tested philosophies and methodologies of Maria Montessori with Reggio Emilia. We celebrate and foster each child’s growing independence, natural curiosity, and social-emotional development and problem solving skills, meeting each child exactly where they are from the moment they arrive. Licensed by the New York City Department of Health and meeting the requirements of all regulatory agencies, The Washington Market School boasts two distinct and uniquely special sites located in Lower Manhattan, just blocks away from each other. 

Position Summary 

Serving as a key member of the Leadership Team, Washington Market School invites an experienced Director of Advancement (DOA) to lead our fundraising initiatives and oversee a team of three. The DOA will be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that aligns with the school's mission and growth objectives. This role requires a strategic thinker with a proven track record in annual giving, major gifts, and capital campaigns, and enthusiasm for building an advancement strategy and processes as the school approaches its fiftieth anniversary.

Primary Responsibilities 

• Mission: Understand and communicate effectively the school’s mission, specifically its history, philosophical pedagogies and commitment to ABAR (anti-bias antiracist) practices; 
• Strategic Development Planning: Craft and implement multi-year fundraising strategies that support the school’s objectives and expand its financial resources;
• Major Gifts Cultivation: Proactively identify and engage potential donors, build strong relationships,  solicit major gifts from alumni, parents, grandparents and philanthropic foundations, and steward donor relationships;
• Annual Giving: Oversee and implement annual giving program; 
• Events and Fundraising Initiatives: Oversee and engage in the planning, execution, and follow-up of major fundraising events, ensuring they meet financial goals and enhance donor engagement;
• Stakeholder Management: Serve as the key liaison for the school with donors, community leaders, the board of trustees, and alumni families fostering strong, transparent relationships;
• Budget Oversight: Develop and manage the annual development budget, ensuring resources are properly allocated for maximum impact;
• Reporting and Communication: Develop standard reports and provide comprehensive updates to the Head of School and board members, detailing progress on fundraising activities and strategic insights;
• Gift Processing and Fundraising Database Management Oversight: ensure that all gifts, regardless of size, are processed with keen attention to detail;
• Department Oversight: Supervise the Advancement team to include Associate Director of Systems, Design and Marketing, Communications Manager and Community, and Alumni and Events Coordinator, ensuring that work in this department is thoughtfully coordinated and supports the School’s strategic plan;
• Devotes time and energy to establish positive relationships with currently enrolled parents and children;

Other duties as assigned by the Head of School

Core Competencies 

• Demonstrated commitment to anti-bias anti-racist education and a desire to continually learn and grow in the area of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging;
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills;
• Excellent oral communication skills;
• Working understanding of Montessori and Reggio Emilia-inspired pedagogy a plus— with a commitment to ongoing professional learning in these critical components of the school’s mission;
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, strategic and creative thinking, an eagerness and ability to interact with parents, students, faculty and staff, administrators, trustees, alumni and other friends of the school with warmth and compassion; 
• Ability to skillfully use Google Suite and CRM platforms, such as FinalSite;
• Ability to interact with all school stakeholders with warmth and professionalism;
• Ability to work independently, as part of a team and as a leader of a small department; 
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks;
• Proven ability to meet deadlines;
• Capacity for working gracefully in a fast-paced environment;
• Positive, flexible attitude with demonstrated value for “customer service”; 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree required; Master’s degree preferred, ideally in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, or a related field;
• At least 3-5 years in senior fundraising roles, with a strong emphasis on educational institutions.
• Demonstrated success in securing six-figure donations and leading substantial fundraising campaigns.
• Complete all required Department of Health paperwork including background check, health form before official start date and complete, required  trainings within three months of start date;
• Ability to lift as much as 35 pounds;
• Ability to navigate stairs without assistance;
• Ability to stand, stoop, bend and sit on the floor for long periods of time;
• Ability to work in-person

The Washington Market School is an equal opportunity at-will employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, disability, sex, sexual orientation or national origin.