Director of Development

Written By Kerry Crisley

The Advent School, located in the Beacon Hill section of Boston, Massachusetts, serves 135 students in pre-Kindergarten through Sixth Grade. A mission-focused school that was founded with a commitment to provide an outstanding education to students from all of Boston’s communities, Advent has served students and families since 1961. Through its Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum, Advent's faculty deliver authentic, rigorous, and experiential learning opportunities that encourage students to "learn with passion, act with courage, and change the world." 

The Advent School seeks a Director of Development. The Director of Development works closely with the Head of School and Board of Trustees to plan, implement, and sustain all aspects of the School’s fundraising endeavors, including the annual fund, planned giving, and capital campaigns. This individual is an active member of the School’s leadership team, representing the development needs of the School, and reports directly to the Head of School. 

The Director of Development is a full-time, salaried position that includes medical and dental insurance, a retirement plan, professional development opportunities, and paid time off. Salary range $130,000 - $150,000.

Responsibilities & Duties 

Fundraising 

  • Lead a comprehensive and strategic fundraising program, including annual and planned giving, capital campaigns, alumni relations, stewardship, and research to reach goals

  • Coordinate, in partnership with the parent Benefit Committee, the annual Fall Benefit and spring Comedy Night 

  • Oversee all capital campaign activities, including support of the steering committee, volunteer management, funding priorities, expenses, and campaign events 

  • Work with the Head of School and Board of Trustees to develop and execute a vision, strategy, and goals for philanthropic giving at the School 

  • Provide materials, strategy, and support for the Head of School’s donor prospect meetings, attending donor meetings as needed 

  • Identify, cultivate, and strengthen relationships with alumni, potential donors, and others in the community 

Marketing & Communications 

  • Work in partnership with the Director of Marketing & Communications to create development-specific communications, including campaign communications, the Annual Report, and other related publications

  • Keep up-to-date on major School topics and issues, serving as an ambassador 

Management & Outreach 

  • Maintain the School's development database in Raiser's Edge, including entering gifts and processing acknowledgment letters 

  • Work with the Business Office on all development-related funding and expenses, including reconciliation and reporting 

  • Serve on the Board Advancement Committee and produce frequent annual fundraising progress reports and analyses for the Head of School, Advancement Committee, and the Board of Trustees 

  • Serve as a liaison to the Committee on Trustees, recommending trustee candidates, recruiting new trustees, and training trustees in development functions 

  • Work directly with the Advancement Team on goal setting, team meetings, and staff support, and participate in supervision, evaluation, and professional growth

  • Coordinate volunteer support for fundraising events and initiatives

  • Serve as a leader for the school community, participating in the daily life and operation of the school, extending beyond the responsibilities of the development role

  • Attend school-wide events to meet and engage with members of the Advent community, including the occasional evening and weekend event 

Required Skills & Characteristics 

The Advent School is a good fit for professionals who believe in the School's mission of education for equity and social justice. Candidates should possess strong personal drive and motivation, demonstrate exemplary professional behavior and values, and be resourceful, responsible, and collaborative. 

The ideal candidate will have 3 - 5 years of experience as a development professional, ideally in education or a non-profit setting, in addition to: 

  • A proven track record in fundraising and constituent relations 

  • Excellent analytical, time management, and organizational skills, including ability to prioritize projects based on School goals 

  • Capacity to work effectively and collaboratively with colleagues, members of the board, donors, volunteers, consultants, and all other constituents 

  • Familiarity and experience with Blackbaud products, including Raiser's Edge

  • Knowledge of best practices in independent school fundraising 

  • Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality 

  • Strong oral and written communication skills 

  • Bachelor's degree required 

Interested candidates should email their resume and cover letter to Bill Wharton, Interim Head of School, at wwharton@adventschool.org. 

Kerry Crisley
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