Director of Development, Lawrence, MA
Esperanza Academy is seeking a driven, strategic development professional to join our team as Director of Development (DOD). Reporting directly to the Head of School, and working closely with the Board of Trustees, the DOD will play a critical role in the growth of this organization by spearheading and overseeing all efforts related to fundraising, and by playing a key role on the financial management team.
Philanthropy has played a significant role in Esperanza’s ability to fund its academic curriculum and co-curricular activities, and the new DOD will have the opportunity to build on a tradition of success to help achieve the school’s ambitious fundraising goals. With a comprehensive fundraising platform in place (annual fund, events, individuals, and corporate and foundation support) the DOD will work to ensure the future sustainability of the school and its programming.
This is an exciting time for Esperanza, as the future DOD will be responsible for the planning and execution of fundraising efforts for a future comprehensive campaign to be launched in connection with Esperanza’s 10rth anniversary in 2016. The right candidate will be organized, detail-focused, self-directed and have excellent people skills that seamlessly translate to Esperanza’s donor and community base. S/he will be able to demonstrate an exceptional capacity to cultivate donor relationships, secure support, and partner with board members on their fundraising efforts.
ABOUT ESPERANZA ACADEMY: Esperanza Academy is an independent, tuition-free middle school in the Episcopal tradition where 60 underserved girls from Lawrence, Massachusetts are welcomed into an empowering learning community. Founded in 2006, Esperanza offers its students a transformative education that integrates a rigorous academic curriculum with co-curricular programs in athletics, the arts, community service, cultural-enrichment, social skills, spirituality, and outdoor education. Our students attend school for 9 ½-hour per day and 11 month per year, in classrooms with a less than 8:1 student to teacher ratio. This holistic educational approach has accrued a remarkable track record: Our graduates attend 23 different secondary schools—more than two thirds of each graduating class has earned full scholarships to independent and boarding schools—and boast a 100 percent high-school graduation rate. Eighty percent of eligible Esperanza graduates are also enrolled in college. Esperanza Academy is 100 percent privately funded.
OUR STUDENTS: Esperanza Academy serves 60 middle school girls, who are 95 percent Latina and 91 percent have learned English as a second language. 100 percent of incoming students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. While Esperanza is a school rooted in the Episcopal tradition, 90 percent of our students come from other religious traditions.
DOD RESPONSIBILITIES:
Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Develops and implements a comprehensive annual fundraising plan that supports the strategic objectives of Esperanza Academy, while also establishing a strong financial foundation for growth
• Strategically leverages the time of the head of school and board to meet aggressive fundraising targets; support and develop the capacity of the board to achieve development goals • Establishes specific fundraising goals and metrics within overall fundraising plans. Prepare detailed reports of activity and progress towards goals for review by the head of school, finance committee, and development committee on a regular basis • Identify, cultivate and solicit major donors, and business leaders for gifts in the four-, five- and six-figure gift range
• Works closely with the head of school and board finance committee on the development of an annual operational budget, including monthly updates and forecasts.
• Develops and maintains systems to ensure accountability and help evaluate the effectiveness of the organization’s fundraising development program
• Enhances the culture of philanthropy throughout the organization, building board and staff fundraising knowledge, skills and effectiveness. Including, developing a plan to increase alumni and parent support.
• Directly supervises the development staff
• Oversees the strategy of Esperanza’s three annual fundraising events: Breakfast at Fenway, Harvest of Hope, Boston Marathon and other events as identified/needed.
• As an active member of the leadership team, along with the head of school, principal, graduate support director, director of admissions and outreach, and business manager, work closely with other team members to ensure the implementation of the school’s mission and the use of innovative and best practices, and to devise strategies for the school’s advancement
QUALIFICATIONS:
A minimum of 8–10 years development/fundraising experience, ideally in major gifts, prospect management
Successful track record of soliciting four, five and six figure gifts.
Experience growing the donor base of an organization
Significant experience and demonstrated success raising funds for growing nonprofit organizations
Substantial experience implementing fundraising plans and cultivating relationships for all funding streams including individuals, foundations and corporations
Strong work ethic; ability to lead by example and work effectively in a small, non-profit environment
Exceptional written and oral communication skills; demonstrated ability to conceptualize and describe funding needs in a way that is compelling to donors and prospects
Passion for the mission, vision and values of Esperanza Academy; comfort and willingness to actively participate in the community
Bachelor’s degree required
COMPENSATION: Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience. Esperanza Academy offers an attractive benefits package including 403(b), medical, dental, life, and disability insurance, and support for professional development.
TO APPLY: Please send a cover letter specifically detailing your qualifications for the position, a resume or CV, and contact information for three professional references to Christopher Wilson, Head of School, Esperanza Academy, at CHRIS.WILSON@ESPERANZAACADEMY.ORG.
Non-Discrimination Policy: Consistent with the values of an Episcopal school, Esperanza is committed to a diverse and inclusive community with respect to race, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, family status, economic circumstance, age, and physical disability in its student body, faculty and staff. Esperanza Academy does not discriminate on the basic of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, and athletic and other school administered programs. We strongly encourage applications from women and minority candidates. Esperanza Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.