Friends School is a progressive, co-educational, preschool-8th grade, day school serving students from the Boulder, Colorado area. Friends offers a challenging curriculum guided by strong values of collaboration and creativity; mindfulness and social and emotional learning; cross-curricular and project-based instruction; and diversity, social justice and service learning. Faculty and staff are highly engaged and enjoy flexibility, autonomy, and a collaborative working environment.

Job Overview: The Director of Development and Community Engagement is responsible for leading and managing the school’s fundraising and advancement initiatives, as well as community engagement efforts. The Director of Development and Community Engagement will work closely with the head of school, Board of Trustees, staff and volunteers to achieve the school’s fundraising goals and build strong relationships with the wider community. The Director of Development and Community Engagement will also be responsible for creating and implementing a comprehensive development plan that includes major gifts, planned giving, annual giving and special events.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive development plan that includes major gifts, planned giving, annual giving and special events
• Manage and oversee the school’s fundraising activities, including the annual fund, capital campaigns and planned giving programs
• Cultivate and solicit gifts from individuals, foundations, grants and other sources
• Work closely with the head of school, Board of Trustees, staff and volunteers to achieve the schools fundraising goals and advance the school’s mission
• Build and maintain strong relationships with alumni, parents and other stakeholders
• Plan and execute special events and other fundraising and stewardship activities
• Oversee the management of the donor database and gifts processing systems
• Prepare and manage the development budget and monitor fundraising progress
• Lead community engagement efforts to build relationships with the wider community and promote the schools mission

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred
• At least 5-6 years of experience in fundraising and development, with a proven track record of success
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including public speaking and writing
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Knowledge of fundraising principles, techniques, and trends
• Strong leadership skills and ability to inspire and motivate others
• Experience with fundraising software and databases

General expectations for all Friends School employees, including but not limited to:

• Maintain congruence between the school’s mission and all activities
• Promote and advance the cognitive, emotional, social and physical well-being of all students
• Support in educating parents about the Friends School values and program through all correspondence and parent educational events
• Preserve and participate in school traditions and rituals
• Maintain office as well as common spaces and outdoor environment 
• Fulfill duties and cover classes or responsibilities during absences of other teachers as appropriate
• Participate in regular meetings to address routine matters and stimulate an exchange of ideas
• Participate in the school’s hiring processes as necessary
• Assist in evening and weekend events as necessary
• Set personal yearly goals with the appropriate supervisor and engage in ongoing professional development
• Other duties as assigned

Why work for Friends School:

This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and experienced development professional to lead fundraising and community engagement efforts at a well-respected progressive independent school. The successful candidate will have a passion for education and a commitment to advancing the school’s mission. The Director of Development and Community Engagement receives a robust compensation package including competitive salary, TIAA retirement benefits, comprehensive health insurance, life insurance, professional development, tuition remission, and time-­off benefits.

If Friends School is Right for You:

We encourage you to apply if educational or non-­?profit financial and operations leadership is your passion. Additional information about Friends School can be found at www.friendsschoolboulder.org. Local candidates are encouraged to apply. Out-of-area candidates will be considered who can relocate without relocation assistance.

Compensation: 

Salary range is $75,000 - $100,000 and pay is commensurate with experience, degree, and position. Friends School offers a competitive compensation package including medical, dental, life insurance benefits, 403(b) plan and generous paid leave. 

Friends School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

How to Apply: 

If you possess the above skills and qualities, please send a cover letter outlining why you are interested in the position along with your resume to jobs@friendsschoolboulder.org. Please indicate Director of Development and Community Engagement  in the subject line. Final candidates are subject to background and credit check. We will contact top candidates for an interview. No phone calls please.

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred
• At least 5-6 years of experience in fundraising and development, with a proven track record of success
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including public speaking and writing
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Knowledge of fundraising principles, techniques, and trends
• Strong leadership skills and ability to inspire and motivate others
• Experience with fundraising software and databases

About Friends School Boulder

Friends School is a private, independent Preschool-8th grade school located in Boulder, Colorado. We've been educating Boulder's students since 1987. Friends School values all learners. We are a creative, challenging, safe environment where every student is seen, known, and loved. Small class sizes allow us to know each student fully for who they are, meet them where they are as learners, and help them to know themselves and set their own path. Friends students are academically challenged and prepared to enter the world as thoughtful, kind, genuine, self-advocating, confident, and empathetic citizens. A strong balance of rich academic and social emotional curriculum with an emphasis on character development allows our graduates to successfully transition into any high school environment. Our students not only learn the importance of a social emotional education, they actually LIVE it. A Friends School education promises essential foundations for a life of success. Our vision is as clear today as it was 30 years ago: challenging minds, nurturing spirits, honoring individuality.

Connections working at Friends School Boulder