Nov 6th, 2024
Peninsula School
Director of Development and Communications
( California | On-site )
About the Organization
Peninsula School is a unique co-educational private school of 200 students with classes ranging from preschool through eighth grade. Peninsula is recognized as one of the few early pioneers of progressive education still in operation. Founders Josephine and Frank Duveneck incorporated the progressive education philosophy, practice and reforms of Francis Parker, John Dewey, and Maria Montessori, as well as contributed to the history of social justice land conservation movements in California. Peninsula’s progressive ideals of play, choice and responsibility, engaging in intellectual inquiry, and building relationships inhabit every corner of its inspiring campus in Menlo Park, California.
Job Description
Position salary range: $150,000-165,000
Position reports to: Head of School
Peninsula School, a leader in progressive education, is seeking an experienced, highly relational, and inspiring fundraising and advancement professional to join them as the Director of Development and Communications. Founded in 1925 and coming up on its centennial anniversary, Peninsula is a preschool through eighth-grade school where children thrive and develop to their full promise as confident contributors in the world. At Peninsula, children learn about themselves and others, discover their passions, and grow intellectually in an inclusive community rich with choices, exploration, and play. In addition to intellectual, development, and social and emotional learning (SEL), Peninsula School has an explicit focus on educating for democracy, student choice and voice, and social justice.
Reporting to new Head of School, Johanna Aeschliman, the Director will energize the school’s development efforts to help bring to fruition the aspirations of the school. The Director will be experienced in development and fundraising, specifically, annual giving, capital campaigns, major donor cultivation, and endowment. As the school nears its centennial, the Director will be part of a collaborative team and community ready to grow its culture of philanthropy to help meet its strategic goals, including launching a capital campaign to fund important campus renewal projects.
The Position
The role requires the Director of Development and Communications to initiate fundraising and communications strategies that are steeped in the school’s strategic plan, mission, vision, and values and create strategies that will bring those goals to fruition. The Director of Development and Communications will lead all aspects of a capital campaign, which aims to raise funds in conjunction with its centennial celebration. The Director of Development and Communications works collaboratively with the Head of School, administrators, the Board Development Committee, and, as needed, consultants, to clearly craft and articulate fundraising goals, opportunities, and communications that celebrate the school’s unique program and vision.
The Director of Development and Communications serves as a member of the School’s Senior Leadership Team along with the Director of Instruction and Belonging, Director of Admissions and Enrollment, Director of Finance and Operations, and Director of Facilities. This is a 12-month, full-time position working closely with the Head of School and the Development Committee of the Board of Trustees to provide leadership, thought partnership, strategic thinking and planning, and skilled execution of initiatives. Three staff members report to (and share an open office space with) the Director, including the Annual Giving and Alumni Relations Specialist, Communications Specialist, and Events Coordinator, who all work in concert to support the development efforts of the school. The next Director of Development will be a leader in nurturing a culture of philanthropy and building broad and deep relationships with the school and external community. Peninsula is always seeking ways of making the School more inclusive, diverse, and equitable, and the Director must support this mission wholeheartedly through a commitment to the School’s mission, vision, and values.
Strategic Priorities
The Director of Development and Communications will collaborate across the school community to create, lead, and support opportunities for the systematic advancement of the school’s mission and strategic plan by prioritizing the following:
Partner with the Head of School, Director of Finance and Operations, and Board Development Committee to identify the school’s funding priorities.
Create, lead, and implement a Major Gifts Program and align prospect interests and philanthropic goals with the school’s funding priorities.
In partnership with the Head and the Board, development of a capital campaign that will propel the school towards the future, ensuring its sustainability.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Leadership for Peninsula School’s Development Strategy:
Work with the Head of School, Director of Finance and Operations, and the Development Committee to ensure that strategic goals and resources are in place that guide the work of fundraising initiatives of the school.
Evaluate progress toward these goals, refine as needed, and communicate progress to the Head of School and Board of Directors.
Develop and promote creative and exciting fundraising opportunities in support of the school’s mission and related cases for support.
Set fundraising objectives, evaluate results, and develop corrective strategies as needed.
Maintain a productive and supportive working relationship with People of Peninsula (POP) so that volunteer and financial giving functions are interlinked and contribute to vibrant school community-building.
Create, implement, and manage fundraising campaigns including strategy, case statement, engagement strategies, execution, solicitation, donor stewardship, and acknowledgment.
Ensure an efficient donor management system is in place that collects and tracks donor information which can be used strategically to understand philanthropic giving and inform decision-making.
Leadership and Implementation of the Annual Giving Campaign and Raise Your Paddle:
Develop annual goals for operational fundraising, and guiding strategy for key fundraising components, which typically includes an Annual Giving Campaign, Raise Your Paddle (RYP), 8th Grade Commemorative Fund.
Oversee acceptance of Class Gifts (i.e. 8th Grade Commemorative Fund/Gift).
Alongside the Annual Giving and Alumni Relations Specialist, implement the Annual Giving Campaign including training and support of Annual Giving Campaign Parent Reps, special events to encourage participation, oversee gift processing and recognition, and manage financial and participation tracking and reporting.
Work collaboratively with the Annual Giving and Alumni Relations Specialist and Communications Specialist on communications related to the Annual Giving Campaign.
Work collaboratively with the Head of School and Director of Finance and Operations to develop strategic funding goals for annual “Raise Your Paddle” campaigns.
Create a plan to promote the “Raise Your Paddle” focus and work collaboratively with the Communications Specialist to promote the focus.
Leadership for Peninsula School’s Communications Strategy:
Work closely with the Head of School, the Director of Admissions and Enrollment, the Annual Giving and Alumni Relations Specialist, the Communications Specialist, and Events Coordinator to implement a broad, comprehensive, and strategic internal and external communication plan.
Promote clear communication that aligns with the school’s mission, vision, and values to support admissions and fundraising efforts and build community.
Guidance for School Events:
Support parent-led fundraising events alongside the School’s Events Coordinator (Community Party, Craft Fair, and Spring Fair).
Provide guidance for the School’s Events Coordinator and POP volunteers
Solicit underwriting donations for fundraising events.
Partner with Board of Directors:
Work with the Development Committee Chair on shared Development goals and determine annual and longer-term work of the Development Committee in achieving these goals.
Develop donor engagement strategy in concert with the Development Committee.
Provide education and develop strategies for Board engagement in fundraising initiatives including Major Gifts and Capital Campaigns.
Management of the Development and Communications Office:
Work with the Head of School and Communications Specialist to develop a guiding communications strategy and messaging for Development work at Peninsula School.
Create and manage annual goals, work plans, professional development, and evaluations for the
Annual Giving and Alumni Relations Specialist, Communications Specialist, and Events Coordinator.
Develop an annual departmental budget (one each for Development and Communications), monitor income and expenses, and communicate these with the Head of School and Business Office.
Oversee the management of the day-to-day activities of the Development Office, ensuring that administrative systems and processes such as record-keeping, gift processing, and database management function smoothly and efficiently.
Participate on the School Administration Team and Senior Leadership Team:
Participate on the Senior Leadership Team and the Administrative Staff Team to ensure strong communication and coordination of Development Office activities with other school activities.
Contribute to the development and implementation of the school’s operating and strategic plans as appropriate, and work collaboratively to secure the resources to carry out strategic objectives.
Become and remain educated about the culture of the school and build positive, respectful relationships with all members of the community.
Provide input for activities in all school arenas. Seek input from Administrative staff about Development Office activities.
Assist with other projects as needed and directed by the Head of School.
QUALITIES AND ATTRIBUTES
The next Director will be energized by building relationships, excited to tell the story of Peninsula School, and demonstrate a high level of integrity and initiative. They must have a proven ability to collaborate with and nurture relationships with a team of professionals and be genuinely interested in being an active member of the Peninsula community.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate expertise and success in comprehensive development efforts, donor cultivation and stewardship, and a highly collaborative and relational approach.
Bachelor's Degree required
5+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising
Proven ability to design, implement, and bring to fruition capital and major gifts campaigns
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with and nurture relationships with a team of professionals
Demonstrated commitment and successful experience working in a diverse, multicultural community
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Excellent written and verbal communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills.
Outstanding knowledge of fundraising data software and database management software
High regard for confidentiality
Familiarity with independent schools is a plus