Director of School Advancement

Southwest Montessori Academy (SMA) is a growing Montessori school currently serving children ages 3-6 and is a nonprofit/501(c)(3) registered as a nonpublic school in Indiana. SMA is seeking to fill the position of Director of School Advancement. 

Position Description: Candidates will be expected to work cohesively with the Head of School to initiate school growth and develop funding streams. This position will report to the Head of School and may communicate with the Board of Directors. Hours would be flexible and primarily remote. 

Ideal candidates will possess a growth mindset, be independent with the ability to demonstrate accountability, and be able to collaborate. Candidates will be highly ethical, have strong communication skills (both written and oral), and have the passion to learn about and promote the mission of the school. Overall, a successful Director of School Advancement would possess a combination of strategic thinking, interpersonal skills, and a passion for advancing the mission and goals of our growing school.

Job duties include but are not limited to:

• Exploring and pursuing grant opportunities to support strategic initiatives 

• Driving progress on an active capital campaign

• Cultivating and strengthening donor relations to increase financial support, including annual fund appeals

• Building relations within the greater community to strengthen partnerships and garner support for the school

• Developing and implementing strategies and messaging to support marketing and school branding for both donors and prospective student enrollment

• Managing volunteers to plan and execute the annual fundraiser gala including securing sponsorships, and also explore other event opportunities

Education, Previous Experience, and Skills Requirements: 

This role requires candidates with comparable previous professional experience in fundraising development, preferably within a non-profit organization and/or a CFRM or CFRE. Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Business or related field highly preferred.

Additional skills and previous experience:

• Understanding of Montessori education is helpful. Orientation will include learning how to articulate SMA’s mission and culture, including spending time observing within the school/classroom environment. 

• Ability to passionately communicate school mission and vision to develop/deepen donor engagement, including major gifts toward capital campaign.

• Proficiency with technology, including donor database software and basic graphic design skills related to marketing and branding

• Creating and working within a budget including accountability for reporting details

• A commitment to ethical conduct and compliance with relevant laws and regulations in all fundraising and advancement activities

• Designing and executing fundraising and communication campaigns, and analyzing data relating to enrollment, fundraising and advancement efforts

• Event planning and managing volunteers

• Demonstrated grant writing proficiency

• Ability to set goals and deadlines and be proactive in meeting them

• Possess an attention to detail while also managing the bigger picture of building relationships and meeting strategic initiatives

Qualifications: Must have the ability to drive and possess a valid Driver’s License with insurance and pass a Criminal Background Check; proficiency and fluency with communicating in English required.

Salary Range/Benefits: This is a full-time (12 months) exempt position.  Salary range is $50,000, depending upon qualifications. Benefits include tuition discount for eligible employee child(ren) and 10 days of paid time off, plus holidays.

To apply, please send the following to Karrin Marquell, Head of School (director@southwestmontessoriacademy.org): 1) cover letter, 2) resume, 3) professional references and 4) a zipped file of (or link to) portfolio examples of successful grants, sponsorships, fundraisers, special events, etc. 

Southwest Montessori Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), national or ethnic origin, socio-economic level, physical ability or genetic information, or learning style with regard to admissions, hiring or in the administration of any of its programs. In addition, SMA does not discriminate on the basis of age (40 or older) in regard to hiring.