DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

Full Job Description:

Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor, a joyful community of learners is seeking a Director of Institutional Advancement to join our dynamic team. The Director of Institutional Advancement will provide leadership for all development, recruitment, marketing, communications, admission and alumni relations efforts, and partner with trustees regarding major gifts.

Hebrew Day School has served the Ann Arbor Jewish community for almost 50 years and has a rich tradition of academic excellence combined with a warm empowering environment. The Director of Institutional Advancement will have the opportunity to collaborate with administrators, teachers, and lay leadership to ensure HDS is well known and well-positioned for further success. 

This individual oversees the school’s fundraising efforts, including annual giving, special events and projects, alumni relations, and other school-related solicitations. The Director of Institutional Advancement will partner with the Head of School and the board of trustees in regards to the school’s planned/major giving, capital, and endowment campaigns.  Other responsibilities include oversight of internal and external marketing, communications, and public relations as well as working with the Head of School to guide admission and recruitment initiatives.

The Director of Institutional Advancement will often attend Board of Trustee meetings, supporting the Development Committee Chair through strategic partnership with the Development Committee. This individual will participate in the policy-making of the school as a member of the senior administrative team.  The Director of Institutional Advancement will accompany the Head of School and volunteer leadership in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donors and prospects.

This is a full-time, 12-month administrative position reporting directly to the Head of School. Benefits include; Paid time off, Employer matched 403b, Employer assistance paid healthcare, Employer paid life, LTD & ADD, Voluntary dental, vision, and life insurance. The salary range for the Director of Institutional Advancement is $60,000 – $70,000 and is commensurate with experience.

General Duties:

Management of the Development Program

• Produce adequate funds for current operations, special projects, and capital growth, in concert with the Development Committee 
• Work with the Chair of the Development Committee – setting agendas, providing data, and coordinating all fundraising efforts
• Develop an annual advancement budget that is directly linked with the priorities of the institution
• Communicate a broad understanding and awareness of Hebrew Day School’s mission and programs
• Ensure that Hebrew Day School’s development efforts are directed at increasing donor support and advancing Hebrew Day School.
• Review annually the funds raised and develop strategies for increasing annual fundraising goals

Fundraising

• Recommend funding goals for the fiscal year to the Development Committee
• Oversee all annual fund planning and yearly solicitation strategy and schedule 
• Identify, cultivate, and partner in the stewardship of major donors. Develop relationships with key donors and develop strategies that will bring donations to Hebrew Day School either through direct solicitation or by working with the Head of School, Board members, and volunteers as they contact prospective donors
• Oversee Hebrew Day School Life and Legacy committee
• Oversee gift reporting, acknowledgments and data management
•  In coordination with other senior administrators, oversee events (e.g. alumni and friend receptions, parent receptions, Academic Fair, Grandparents and Special Friends Day, special celebrations, graduation) that promote the connection of individuals to Hebrew Day School.
• Explore grant opportunities and write grant applications and reports as appropriate
• Work closely with the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor
• Keep faculty and staff informed of fundraising efforts

Recruitment and Admissions 

• With the Head of School, plan and implement a comprehensive admission and recruitment strategy, with annual review and evaluation
• Aggressively strive to reach and/or exceed all of the recruitment goals for inquiries, campus visits, acceptances, deposits, and new student enrollees.
• Provide a welcoming customer-centered, campus visit program and follow-up for all inquiries and applicants.
• Strategize and implement a calendar of events targeted at recruiting new students.
• Manage and update online application and online enrollment documents as needed. Related – consult with HoS and business office regarding tuition setting.
• Manage tuition assistance (TA) process.  Act as liaison for new families, TA committee chair, and school admin team (in particular, Business Manager) to help shepherd families through the TA process.

Communications and Marketing

• With the Head of School, plan and implement a comprehensive long-range internal and external communications/marketing plan, including social media strategy, with annual review and evaluation
• With the Office Manager, supervise the planning and production of all external school publications

Head of School

• Provide research, background information, appropriate materials, and recommended strategies for dealing with specific constituents and donors
• Work with the Head of School to implement his goals and vision for the institution; as a member of the school leader team, develop priorities and strategies for the School
• Attend administrative leadership meetings
• Work closely with the Head of School on other tasks as assigned including partnering on enrollment and marketing. 

Qualifications

• Imbued with a deep sense of Hebrew Day School’s mission and culture
• Bachelor’s degree 
• Minimum 5 years of development experience
• Significant involvement in capital campaigns, major gift programs, and enrollment efforts
• Well-versed in strategic planning, with skills that include creative thinking, extensive research and analysis, critical reflection, tough-mindedness, and practical execution
• Natural “networker” adept at developing and maintaining relationships with potential and current donors
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Skills to effectively use a variety of programs and software, including database programs and social media

Characteristics of Excellence

• Extreme commitment to data privacy and donor confidentiality
• Compassion and empathy 
• Inherent zeal for exceeding goals
• Passion for helping students and families thrive
• Commitment to own professional growth 
• Fidelity to the Donor Bill of Rights
• Known as a person of great integrity who can build trust within the team and the donor base
• Sense of innovation and entrepreneurship
• A sense of humor – an essential quality needed to sustain personal and team morale in challenging times