Director of Institutional Advancement
23 hours ago
New York
Job Details Job Location Stephen Gaynor School - New York, NY Salary Range $190000.00 - $240000.00 Salary/year Description Job Overview: Stephen Gaynor School is looking for a dynamic and strategic Director of Institutional Advancement to lead and grow the school's advancement and development efforts. This senior leadership role is an opportunity for an experienced professional to shape the future of our institution. The director will be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy to meet and exceed institutional goals, with a particular focus on building our endowment. As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you'll work closely with the Head of School and Board of Trustees to cultivate a strong culture of philanthropy. You'll oversee all aspects of our fundraising program, including the annual fund, major gifts, capital campaigns, and special events like our bi-annual gala. A critical part of this role is managing a personal portfolio of major donors, building authentic relationships, and securing leadership-level support. We're seeking a candidate with a proven track record of securing seven-figure gifts and a minimum of 10 years of experience in development, preferably in an independent school or a mission-driven nonprofit organization. The ideal candidate will be an exceptional communicator, a strategic thinker, and a passionate advocate for our mission. Essential Functions: Strategic Leadership • Support and drive the school's mission to the external community through Development (fundraising) and Alumni Relations, • Develop and execute a multi-year fundraising strategy to meet and exceed institutional priorities, with a focus on raising funds for the endowment., • Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, aligning fundraising efforts with the school's overall mission and strategic goals., • Oversee and manage all aspects of the fundraising program, including annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, major events, and capital campaigns., • Manage a personal portfolio of major donors and high-potential prospects, building authentic relationships and soliciting leadership-level support., • Design and implement donor stewardship strategies to ensure long-term engagement and gratitude with alumni, parents, board members and the wider community., • Direct and execute special fundraising events, such as the bi-annual gala., • Develop and foster strong relationships with current families, alumni, and other key constituents., • Lead and mentor the Advancement team in the support of annual giving, major gifts and events. Providing clear direction, professional growth opportunities, and performance management., • Manage the departmental budget, establishing performance metrics and reporting on progress to the Board of Trustees., • Collaborate with the Business Office to ensure accurate gift processing, financial reporting, and donor acknowledgment., • Maintain accurate records and tracking systems for donor engagement and fundraising performance.Other Responsibilities, • Attend full faculty and staff meetings., • Willing to commit to anti-bias and anti-racism work and to promoting inclusion, belonging and equity through their work in the classroom and school community., • Ensure a commitment to the school's DEI mission and goals by participating in continuous professional development for learning differences, anti-racism and anti-bias of all kinds., • Be an active member of the Gaynor community, • Other duties and responsibilities as deemed appropriate Qualifications Qualifications and Skills • Bachelor's degree required; Master's Degree preferred, • A minimum of 5 years of experience at the Director level, leading Advancement Teams., • A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in development, with a proven track record in major gifts and campaign leadership., • A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and a passion for the mission of Stephen Gaynor School., • Demonstrated success in securing seven-figure donations from high-net-worth individuals., • Proven leadership and management skills; ability to foster a collaborative environment., • Experience in an independent school or mission-driven nonprofit setting is strongly preferred., • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and rapport across diverse communities., • Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills., • Highly organized, strategic, and resourceful with sound judgment and a results-oriented mindset., • Experience with donor databases, such as Veracross, and fundraising analytics., • High proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace, • A commitment to creating and maintaining an inclusive and diverse community., • Flexibility, resourcefulness, and a solution-oriented mindset. Please apply online at Employment Opportunities. THE GAYNOR DIFFERENCE: UNLOCKING EACH STUDENT'S POTENTIAL A pioneer in special education founded in 1962, Stephen Gaynor School is an independent Pre-K, Lower, and Middle School for bright children with language-based learning differences. At Stephen Gaynor School, students with learning differences develop essential academic and critical thinking skills through individualized and evidence-based approaches, empowering them to reach their full potential. Students learn to advocate for themselves and others while actively building an inclusive community, a sense of belonging, and a belief in their own possibilities. Nearly 400 students ages three to 14 attend our school with a range of learning differences, from Attention Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to speech, language, and reading delays such as dyslexia. With more than 60 years of experience in special education and a dedication to continuous improvement, Gaynor has the expertise to help children break down barriers to learning, build self-esteem, and realize academic success. Our expert staff provides an unparalleled level of personal attention in a nurturing environment, allowing students to be academically challenged yet supported every step of the way. Children leave Stephen Gaynor School full of smiles and self-confidence, well-prepared for the next step on their educational journey. Our Diversity Mission: Stephen Gaynor School is dedicated to promoting and advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion within our school community. We recognize, value, and celebrate many types of diversity, including neurodiversity, ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, ability, religion, sexual orientation, family composition, language, and gender identity/expression. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Stephen Gaynor School is an equal employment opportunity employer. Gaynor is committed to building a culturally diverse and anti-racist workforce. We provide opportunities for employment without discrimination or harassment on the basis of (including hairstyle), color, religion, creed, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, gender expression, national origin, alienage, age, pregnancy, marital/partnership status, immigration or citizenship status, status as a veteran or active military service member status, disability, genetic predisposition, status as a victim of domestic violence, prior arrest or conviction record, caregiver status, credit history, salary history, unemployment status, sexual or reproductive health decisions, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law (collectively, the "Protected Characteristics").