SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Executive Director of Advancement will oversee all functions that serve to advance the school, including all gift income, marketing, volunteer and alumni relations, SWAG Shop, sponsorships, and internal communications and external marketing.
This person will oversee the strategy, structure, and management of all Southside Christian School's fund raising efforts and is responsible for the planning, organization, and coordination of the efforts that are necessary to raise gift income. This will include annual fund gift income, small capital projects, capital campaigns, and any ongoing planned giving efforts to fund the SCS endowment.
The Executive Director of Advancement works under the immediate supervision of, and reports directly to, the Superintendent and is a member of the Administrative Council.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
GIFT INCOME:
Provides coordination and oversight of all efforts to generate philanthropic support for Southside Christian School. Works with the Superintendent and potential consultants in drafting an aggressive plan with objectives, goals, methods and a reasonable timeline for the annual fund, capital campaigns, and planned or deferred giving. Plans for and execution of all major capital campaigns to support specific school projects. Represents the Christian school appropriately by educating giving constituencies regarding Biblical principles of stewardship. Organizes board, key donors, and volunteers to address the areas of the annual fund, capital, and deferred gifts needed from the following sources: individuals, businesses, foundations, and corporations. Reports weekly and monthly to the Superintendent with verbal and written reports regarding the progress toward established goals. Provides oversight of all donor appreciation and recognition efforts. Works with board, staff, committees and consultants as needed to accomplish specialized tasks such as banquets and/or events, briefings, brochure development, and additional training. Assists the team and volunteers in understanding the budget process and the corresponding impact of gift income. Develops and maintains solicitation policies and procedures by and for any school entity. Promotes presentation of Planned Giving vehicles to appropriate candidates. Pursues all appropriate grant-funding avenues. Provides effective communication of all needs and giving progress through all appropriate means. Develops and maintains relationships with school families, as appropriate, to encourage giving to SCS. PLANNING & MANAGEMENT:
Effectively lead the Advancement team to accomplish department and school-wide objectives. The team is currently comprised of Marketing and Design (FT), Donor Relations (PT), Administrative Assistant (PT), Volunteer Coordinator (FT), Events Manager (FT) and Sponsorships, SWAG, and Summer at SCS (FT). Provide support, training, and growth opportunities to team members. Oversee and manage day-to-day challenges and opportunities within the department. Works with the Superintendent in the creation and execution of the strategic plan. Works with the Superintendent, Executive Director of Operations, and school architect to develop and continually review the school's campus Master Plan. Works with the Superintendent, Executive Director of Operations, Executive Director of Finance to evaluate capital improvement projects, their priority, and funding source. Oversees the Events Manager in successfully planning, promoting, and executing on-campus events serving various SCS departments, divisions, and constituencies. MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Develops overall strategic marketing plans to expose the school to mission appropriate families and to maintain, broaden and enhance the school's good image in the community at large. Develops and implements plans for effective marketing of the school to internal publics, such as families, faculty, staff, students, and ministry partners. Develops and implements plans for effective marketing of the school to external publics, such as prospective families, relatives, potential ministry partners, local churches, Alumni, and civic/cultural leaders. Provides oversight in the selection of school logoed apparel and specialty items. Provides counsel for enhancement of the school's website. Oversees the submission of all informational releases to news media outlets, as well as postings on social media. Pursues opportunities for positive publicity via appropriate media outlets. Oversees on-going guest relations training for faculty and staff. Works cross-departmentally to plan and oversee all school communications via mySCS, website, social media, marketing emails, and print. Oversees the development of the annual Sabre Spotlight Magazine. Provides editorial oversight and assistance to all school publications, brochures, and flyers. Conducts a frequent review of the purpose, format, content, and frequency of the primary school magazine. Reviews school logos for consistency, professionalism, and standardization. Reviews school signage for professionalism and clarity. Oversees on-going communications with all school constituency groups, through all media. VOLUNTEER AND ALUMNI RELATIONS:
Actively communicates the necessity of a team approach to the advancement function at SCS. Oversees efforts to develop and maintain an organized Alumni association, to encourage their involvement in multiple school functions and activities, and to encourage giving. Uses other major school functions appropriately, such as the Christmas musical, and Commencement week activities to effectively promote the virtues of the Christian school experience. Oversees the Volunteer Coordinator in creating volunteer opportunities, engaging, and thanking volunteers appropriately. Oversees annual efforts to communicate and engage with over 2600 SCS alumni. QUALIFIED APPLICANT SHOULD:
Demonstrate the ability to create momentum, causing things to happen; be pro-active rather than reactive. Have the ability to work closely with other staff and volunteers. Have the ability to translate objectives and goals into a workable plan utilizing staff, board, and volunteers appropriately while retaining control. Have the ability to make strong personal presentations to donors. Be an organized, concise thinker and communicator. Be strong and inspirational with staff, board, and volunteer leaders. Be persuasive with prospects. Be imaginative in packaging projects for fund raising. Have patience and perseverance during the donor education and cultivation cycle. Possess the appropriate training and credentialing in advancement and development. QUALIFIED APPLICANT MUST:
Must be a born-again believer in Jesus Christ; be involved with an evangelical, protestant church of like faith and practice; and agree with the philosophies, Statement of Faith, and Statement of Christian Life Commitment of Southside Christian School. Have a commitment to the mission, philosophy, goals, and objectives of Christian schooling as expressed by Southside Christian School demonstrated by their eligible children enrolled in Southside Christian School. Must be a spiritually mature, veteran Christian leader who agrees with the school's Mission, Vision, Values, Biblical Beliefs, Statement of Christian Life Commitment, and Statement of Faith. Must be able to articulate a deep understanding of a biblically informed philosophy of Christian education. Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills. Possess high moral integrity. Be a manager type who is analytical, innovative, decisive and tough-minded, while at the same time being a collaborative leader. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
