Full-Time Director, Growth Strategy and Development
Job Description
POSITION: Director, Growth Strategy and Development
REPORTS TO: Chief Operating Officer
LOCATION: Harlem, New York City
WEBSITE: www.harlemvillageacademies.org
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:
Harlem Village Academies is widely recognized as a national leader in public education reform. Its growing network of high quality public charter schools is transforming the lives of children in Harlem by providing them with an excellent education. Led by a team of passionate social entrepreneurs, Harlem Village Academies has achieved national prominence as one of the highest performing urban schools in the country. HVA sets high standards for academic performance and personal conduct; intervenes with love and rigor when a child is off-track; and engenders in students a love of learning, a spirit of community and dedication to excellence.
The results have been extraordinary. Though most students enter HVA several years below grade level, after a few years they make remarkable gains. In addition to its consistent track record of educational excellence, Harlem Village Academies has a committed Board of Directors and a group of supporters including some of the country’s most influential leaders in business, finance, real estate and media. Harlem Village Academies is regularly featured in New York and national media and serves as a model for schools across the United States.
ABOUT THE POSITION:
With its proven, replicable education model, Harlem Village Academies is poised to make a national impact in public education. In the coming years, HVA focus on three key areas of expansion: scaling up two exemplary elementary schools, developing world-class programs to support our alumni in college, and launching the Progressive Education Institute, a new institution of higher learning for teachers.
To fund this expansion, HVA seeks a talented, energetic Director of Growth Strategy and Development. Reporting to the COO and serving as a partner to the Development Director, the Director of Growth Strategy and Development will manage and expand a portfolio of donors.
Key responsibilities of the role include:
•Work collaboratively with volunteers, board members and other development staff to identify, cultivate and solicit donors in the five- to seven-figure range
•Secure event leadership and honorees for HVA’s annual benefit
•Create and steward deep, long-lasting relationships with prospective and current major donors
•Build relationships with the Board of Directors and other major donors, coordinate communications and generate continued and increased support for fundraising initiatives
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:
The ideal candidate will be a highly intelligent, driven individual with a passion for public education and a track record of success in cultivating and stewarding a portfolio of investors or donors. He or she will be extraordinarily polished and professional, with a high level of comfort interfacing with a Board of Directors, CEOs, corporate executives and high net worth individuals. He or she will be a genuinely kind and caring individual who thrives in an entrepreneurial culture.
HVA will strongly consider qualified candidates who have relevant experience in major gift fundraising as well as related fields such as investor relations, wealth management, or business development. In addition s/he will have the following qualities and skills:
•Five to seven years successful experience cultivating deep relationships with major donors and/or investors
•Demonstrated success increasing the number of donors/investors in a portfolio of prospects, as well as the scale of contributions
•Highly self-motivated to set, pursue and achieve ambitious goals, while meeting deadlines and attending to details
•Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to communicate a compelling message to various constituencies
•Very adept at managing and following through on multiple projects at once, under deadlines
•Proactive, entrepreneurial style with the ability to take initiative, recognize opportunities and develop and implement focused plans for executing on those opportunities
•Committed team player, with willingness to be hands-on and do whatever it takes to support the success of Harlem Village Academies
ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE:
HVA is full of kind, generous people who are focused on results. We are willing to put in the hard work necessary to meet our ambitious goals. We go above and beyond for our team because we believe in and trust one another. We are all committed to the mission of Harlem Village Academies, and act in our students’ best interest at all times. The ideal candidate thrives in an entrepreneurial environment and is able to adapt quickly to change.
COMPENSATION:
Competitive compensation commensurate with experience.