Director of Advancement

Mission Statement
We, at Kerr-Vance Academy, strive to provide for our students an intensive liberal arts college preparatory program in a safe atmosphere where all are treated respectfully. We endeavor to maintain high expectations while actively engaging our students in learning. Further, we strive to foster intellectual curiosity, concern for others, physical development, creativity, and social and moral values.

Core Values

• High Expectations – We will be results-oriented, focusing on growth and improvement in student achievement and teaching quality.

• Student Engagement – Learning is not an accident. Teachers will plan and deliver lessons that authentically engage students at a high level by pushing students to extend their thinking and reach beyond their current capacities.

• Intellectual Curiosity – The school community values learning for learning’s sake. We promote learning as the vehicle for which students are prepared for a rapidly changing world. Students are encouraged to take risks, ask questions, and take initiative.

• Citizenship – The school community will think globally. Students will become global citizens who make informed decisions, solve problems, and collaborate.

• Compassion – The school community will demonstrate concern for others manifested in mutual respect, relationships, and service.

Position Overview:

The Director of Advancement is a senior member of the school leadership team charged with leading and implementing a comprehensive stakeholder engagement and fundraising program. This position plays a critical role in advancing the school’s mission through donor development, marketing and communications, special events, alumni relations, volunteer engagement, admissions, and enrollment management. The Director of Advancement will lay the foundation for a future capital campaign celebrating the school’s 60-year anniversary in the 2026-2027 school year.

Key Responsibilities:

Fundraising & Donor Development:

• Develop and execute annual and capital fundraising strategies aligned with the school’s strategic plan.

• Cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with donors, alumni, parents, and community stakeholders.

• Identify major gift prospects and develop donor recognition programs.

• Oversee grant writing and corporate sponsorship initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement & Alumni Relations:

• Establish and strengthen relationships with alumni, engaging them in the school community.

• Develop and execute alumni outreach programs, events, and networking opportunities.

• Act as a liaison between the school and parents, alumni, and community partners to foster engagement and philanthropic support.

Marketing & Communications:

• Develop and oversee a strategic marketing and communications plan to enhance the school’s brand and visibility.

• Manage the school’s website, social media, and digital presence to effectively communicate its mission and achievements.

• Create compelling fundraising and promotional materials, including newsletters, annual reports, and campaign collateral.

Event Planning & Volunteer Coordination:

• Plan and execute fundraising and engagement events, including the annual fund drive, donor appreciation events, and special community celebrations.

• Recruit, train, and manage volunteers for advancement and fundraising initiatives.

Database & Records Management:

• Maintain donor and alumni records in a donor database, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.

• Track and report fundraising progress, providing regular updates to the Head of School and Board of Trustees.

• Work closely with the Director of Finance to ensure financial tracking and reporting align with best practices.

• Maintain SIS database of current students and families

Admissions:

• Efficiently and accurately manage the admissions funnel from inquiry to enrollment, including application review, interviews, and admissions decisions.

• Design and execute compelling events to promote the school and attract prospective families, including annual open house events, information sessions, and campus visits.

• Provide exceptional customer service to current and prospective families, addressing inquiries and concerns in a timely and professional manner. Facilitate the transition of new students to the school and work toward retention of current students.

• Maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with the Head of School and other leadership staff to continually align on admissions process, student assessment, application review, events, and how to represent programs for prospective families.

• Attend Board meetings and presentations as necessary.

Enrollment:

• Set enrollment goals in partnership with the Head of School and senior leadership team.

• Develop, implement, assess, and refine enrollment strategies in partnership with school leadership team and Board of Trustees

• Assist the Board of Trustees in setting tuition and provide accurate information to families on tuition and support families with timely reminders and guidance in navigating the school’s process.

• Utilize admissions and enrollment statistics and data to track progress to goals, identify trends, and inform planning and decision-making.

• Stay informed about trends and best practices in enrollment management, independent school education, and to continuously improve recruitment and retention efforts.

• Develop and execute comprehensive enrollment strategies to meet annual enrollment targets.

Leadership:

• Demonstrated skills in leadership, organization, strategic planning, and management, along with outstanding interpersonal skills.

• Ability to model and to lead effectively in fostering a positive and diverse work environment.

• Is a team player with an ability to balance a pursuit of academic and institutional excellence with compassion and caring for each individual.

• Exhibits reflective thinking and ability to both receive and provide honest and constructive feedback.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, communications, or a related field (Master’s preferred).

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in fundraising, advancement, admissions, or nonprofit development.

• Proven success in donor cultivation, major gifts, capital campaigns, and enrollment strategies.

• Strong marketing, communication, and public relations skills.

• Experience planning and managing fundraising events and enrollment initiatives.

• Proficiency with donor database systems and CRM software.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.

• Highly organized, goal-oriented, and capable of managing multiple projects.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and references to [email protected] with the subject line “Director of Advancement Application.” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Ideal start date is July 1, 2025.