Director of Development & Engagement

Job Summary

The Director of Development & Engagement (DDE) serves as a key senior leadership team member and an active strategic decision maker at Beacon Academy. The DDE will oversee all fundraising programs and communications activities, including the creation and implementation of a strategy to expand Beacon Academy’s funding base, raise its profile in philanthropic communities, steward a constituency of committed and informed supporters, and attract a sustainable funding base to help the organization scale its impact and realize its strategic goals. The DDE will closely work with the CEO & Head of School, Leadership Team, and Board of Directors to create and implement a comprehensive development strategy to include individual giving, corporate giving, grants, and special events. The DDE will foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization and create a donor relations strategy that nurtures loyalty through a comprehensive relationship-building program, including cultivation and communication of Beacon Academy’s mission, vision, and impact. The DDE reports directly to the CEO & Head of School, supervises a Development Coordinator, and manages relationships with contracted grant writing, communications, and other external resources.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Represent the core values of Beacon Academy in all work performed on behalf of the organization with students, alumni, their families, volunteers, donors, and community partners by demonstrating an excellent work ethic, personal integrity, confidentiality, professional maturity, and thoughtful ambassadorship.

Leadership and Strategy

• Develop and drive fundraising plan to raise at least $3,200,000 in contributed income each year to support the operating budget of Beacon Academy
• Design and lead a comprehensive multi-channel annual fundraising plan with specific and measurable goals related to individual, corporate, foundation, event, and volunteer philanthropic support
• Strategically partner with and support the CEO & Head of School in cultivating and soliciting major gifts and grants and stewarding high-priority donor relationships
• Work closely with the CEO, Head of School, Board of Directors, and Ambassadors group in identifying and recruiting potential funders and donors
• Manage the Board Advancement Committee and work closely with committee leadership and members to reach fundraising goals
• Appropriately represent the organization with donors, prospects, volunteers, and external stakeholders
• Oversee external communications counsel in developing messaging consistent with organizational strategic vision, constituents, and fundraising plan
• Manage external grant writing firm in developing foundation and corporate fundraising strategies, plans, and actions

Fund Development and Donor Management

• Oversee all development, communications, and office systems and procedures, including timely and accurate tracking of all development information, personalized donor communications, and CRM systems
• Partner with CEO & Head of School and support Beacon’s work to grow and implement a major gifts program, including identification, cultivation, move management plans, and solicitation of a portfolio of major donors and funders
• Expand and diversify Beacon Academy’s donor base and pipeline
• Manage and lead a comprehensive multi-channel annual giving communications program that includes direct and personalized messaging, mail, email, and social media strategies
• Oversee the creation and submission of high-quality grant proposals to foundations and corporations, and maintain accountability standards to all funders
• Partner with the Development Coordinator to oversee Raiser’s Edge database management to ensure accurate data reporting and utilize relevant metrics to track trends and areas of opportunity

Event Management

• Manage all fundraising events, including setting goals, developing action plans, managing and engaging volunteers, and overseeing execution of the events
• Lead and manage major donor events, including Spring Celebration (Beacon Academy’s annual major fundraising event)
• Work with the CEO & Head of School and Advancement Committee to design and implement an effective event strategy
• Secure corporate support and sponsorships for Beacon Academy events
• Collaborate with other departments to host joint events when necessary

Systems Management

• Oversee database management system and protocols to ensure accurate and relevant data collection and reporting, and utilize relevant metrics to track trends and areas of opportunity
• Present to the Board proposed fiscal fundraising goals and monitor and report on the results throughout the year
• Ensure sound fiscal operation of the development function, including timely, accurate, and comprehensive development of reports on contributions, income, and expense budgets, plan monitoring, and implementation

Communications

• Oversee the communications strategy, including all of Beacon’s external communications, maintaining brand integrity across all platforms
• In conjunction with the CEO & Head of School, oversee media relations and steward relationships with media representatives
• Oversee and partner with external communications counsel on the creation of all digital, video, audio, and print content, and design and implement an effective social media strategy
• Support the organization’s thought leadership goals by identifying external opportunities and audiences to promote Beacon Academy – its leadership, mission, and impact

Volunteer Management

• Partner with the CEO & Head of School to help support Ambassador group and Board of Directors
• Staff the Advancement Committee of the Board of Directors
• Partner with Leadership Team to help support volunteer engagement, orientation, and stewardship across all departments

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of development and fundraising experience; at least seven years of Major
• Gifts experience is preferred
• Experience securing six and seven-figure gifts
• Results-oriented with a proven track record of development success
• Proven proficiency in building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders
• A data orientation that informs strategy and plan execution
• Demonstrated ability to manage a team and external resources
• Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team, with excellent time management skills
• Experience with CRM systems, Raiser’s Edge preferred

Attributes

• Commitment to the values of educational equity and inclusion
• Joy in building relationships and storytelling
• Entrepreneurial spirit with ability to employ sound judgement
• Ability to construct, articulate, and implement short- and long-term strategic plans
• Excellent systems-building skills
• Effective planning, organizational, and time management skills, and attention to detail
• Ability to work both independently and as a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels and backgrounds within and outside Beacon Academy

Physical Demands

This position works in our school office environment and requires:

• The ability to travel occasionally through the greater Boston area and Northeast, up to 10% of the time
• Evening and weekend work, as needed
• A valid driver’s license
• The ability to work using a computer for long periods of time
• The ability to lift 3-5 lbs. of materials

Reports To: CEO & Head of School

Direct Report: Development Coordinator

FTE: 1.0

Schedule: Typically Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with occasional nights or weekend

work

Position Type: Full-time, exempt, year-round position (summers included)

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Salary Range (annual): $120,000-$140,000

To Apply

Beacon Academy welcomes a diverse candidate pool, including candidates who are bilingual,

because we believe a diversity of voices leads to better outcomes for everyone.

Beacon Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.