Director of Development

Organization Overview

Salem Academy Charter School (SACS) is a nationally ranked urban charter school north of Boston offering a rigorous college preparatory program to 480 students in grades 6-12. For 18 years, SACS has been committed to serving the diverse population of Salem. Through a unique integration of rigorous college preparatory classes with service to the community, Salem Academy graduates informed, articulate and proactive individuals of strong character.

Salem Academy is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community. We seek to support a faculty and staff that reflects the rich diversity of our student body, creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and educating students.

Position Overview

The Director of Development is responsible for the creation, execution and management of Salem Academy Charter School's development plan and external communications plan. As the senior leader focused on developing sustainable financial support for SACS, the Director will report to and advise the Executive Director to drive fundraising efforts. Together, they will create a vision and strategic plan for Salem Academy's approach to fundraising and external communications. This is a newly created role, designed to expand the breadth and depth of the solid foundation of support that has been established.

The Director will have day-to-day responsibility for planning, implementing, and managing all fundraising-related activities. This includes but is not limited to engaging a larger, broader and more diverse audience; establishing a consistent protocol for donor stewardship, managing development staff and partnering throughout the organization; developing new philanthropic initiatives; and collaborating on all donor-facing marketing and branding efforts. In addition, the Director will oversee external communications to the broader SACS community which includes families and the community of Salem, MA. The Director of Development directly supervises the Communications and Development Manager.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising

• Works with the Board of Trustees to raise funds to meet operational and capital needs, increasing philanthropic support and building external visibility with funders;
• Tracks the fundraising pillar of the Strategic Plan and sets/manages goals accordingly with relevant stakeholders;
• Plans and directs the fundraising strategy for individuals, foundations, corporations, government agencies and membership. Builds the fundraising strategy and leads the team to work collaboratively on reaching revenue goals;
• Serves as the stewardship manager for existing individual donors and prospects. Leads the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of these critical donors and directs the Executive Director's fundraising activities, applying the same practices to new donors;
• Maintains the donor management system, tracking all communications and keeping all lists current;
• Develops a formal Alumni Relations plan for the near and long range future;
• Implements best practices for effectively shepherding all prospects and donors to support SACS. Leads the team to develop concept papers, proposals, reports, end of year mailing campaigns, events and all necessary activities to secure the revenue;
• Supervises and supports grant writing and reporting.

Public Relations/Community

• Promotes SACS's mission and vision through a visible presence in the Salem and the larger charter school community;
• Networks and builds relationships with community partners and local organizations;
• Works with the Salem school district to maximize and share resources in a collaborative and fruitful manner;
• Manages existing relationships with supporting philanthropic organizations and foundations;
• Informs school community of issues relevant to public education, the charter movement, and the local community;
• Works collaboratively with the Board, parent committees, community partners and stakeholders to ensure resources are optimally leveraged to support all students.

Communications

• Supervises social media presence, content and analytics;
• Creates and implements external communication plan;
• Communicates effectively with external stakeholders to keep them informed, connected, and up-to-date on school related matters;
• Manages the content, design and branding of the school website.

Board of Trustees

• Tracks the Board of Directors' philanthropic giving while partnering with the Executive Director and Board to strengthen volunteer-led fundraising activities and peer to peer outreach;
• Works closely with the Executive Director and the Board Nominating Committee to build a pipeline of candidates for SACS's Board of Trustees and other volunteer leadership opportunities;
• Partner with SACS Executive Director and Board of Trustees to deploy them in service of meeting fundraising goals.

Organizational Leadership

• Leads all aspects of the Development & Communications Division and builds a strong and nimble team through recruitment; professional development; performance management; and motivational leadership;
• Fosters an environment of cohesiveness, collaboration and achievement and ensures staff accountability for excellence through clearly defined and measurable goals;
• Creates a climate that promotes respect for others and acceptance of alternative ideas and approaches, as well as the highest ethical standards and practices;
• Embraces diversity as a strategic advantage;
• As a member of the Executive Team, contribute to strategic planning process, influencing the organization's direction, scope, and culture;
• Designs and leads the long-term revenue generation strategy for SACS to increase the percentage of revenue from individual donors, foundations, corporations, government agencies, membership while partnering closely with the Finance/Operations team on revenue strategy and all reporting.

The Director of Development may also take on other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Unwavering belief in our mission and vision: that all students can achieve at high levels
• Ability to promote a structured, orderly, safe, and respectful school environment that fosters student-centered learning
• Demonstrated ability to connect with diverse students and families
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and collaborate with adults from a diverse range of perspectives and backgrounds
• Openness to change, ability to problem-solve, and an interest in developing new ideas and programs
• Self-awareness, humility, and integrity in all interactions, personally and professionally
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills
• Three or more years of progressive leadership experience
• Background clearance
• Fluency in Spanish a plus

Salem Academy Charter School values a school culture that celebrates learning, and we believe that the adult culture in the school is the foundation of the school's success. The culture is based on mutual respect, integrity, professionalism, a commitment to excellence, a collaborative spirit, and a sense of human kindness particularly as it relates to age-appropriate adolescent development. Salem Academy Charter School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.