Job Description:
Overview
Académie Lafayette, a French Immersion free public charter school in Kansas City seeks a Development Director to oversee fundraising, external communication, public relations, and alumni programming.
This position plays a critical role in the success of the school by championing school-driven, parent- and student-led fundraising efforts and by overseeing day-to-day development operations. This position also serves as the relationship architect between major grantors and funders for capital gifts, the staff person most engaged in addressing opportunities to raise funds, the leader who will design and execute the fundraising activities to enable the completion and expansion efforts underway at the school. 

Status of Position
This is a full-time position. This is an exempt position pursuant to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Reporting
The Director of Development reports to the Head of School and will serve as the primary liaison to the Development Committee of the Board of Directors. 

Responsibilities
Ongoing Operations: The position works with the Head of School, members of the school community (e.g. faculty, staff, alumni, parents, vendors, contractors), and the Development Committee to develop and implement short and long-term development plans to meet established development goals and objectives.  The Director of Development oversees the:

•   Planning and executing of the school’s external communication and public relations;
•   Cultivating and solicitation of major gifts;
•   Planning and execution of the annual fund campaign;
•   Research and submission of grants;
•   Planning and coordination of school special benefit events; and
•   Development office staff as designated.

As well as day-to-day assessment, analysis, design and management of the organizational fundraising data: Tracking progress and reporting on philanthropic results;  Creating, updating and maximizing the use of the school’s alumni and donor database information;  Managing online giving activities; and Implementing the gift acknowledgment process. Areas of

Growth: Identifies, cultivates and solicits current and potential donors. This includes initiating contacts, scheduling appointments, coordinating asks, planning appropriate appreciation, recording meeting notes in the donor software system, and maintaining effective stewardship of donors and prospects.  Fosters and leverages strong long-term relationships with key philanthropic individuals and institutions within the Kansas City metro area and beyond (including international).  Explores the possibility of initiating planned giving opportunities with select donors. 

Other Responsibilities and Expectations:

• Establish development goals in collaboration with Head of School, applicable stakeholders, and Development Committee.
• Monitor progress meeting development goals and prepare and present monthly reports for the Head of School, Board of Directors and Development Committee.      
• Create and direct a comprehensive development plan that includes fundraising, marketing, and communication strategies and an implementation calendar.
• Oversee creation of marketing materials to keep donors informed of needs, development programs and activities, and opportunities to give. This includes, but is not limited to, the school’s annual report, generations newsletters, and annual fund solicitations.
• Work with school ambassadors (e.g. parents and student volunteers) to organize committees for events as needed and be an extension of fundraising efforts.
• Maintain a level of knowledge and skills required, including participation in applicable professional organizations.
• Maintain a strict level of confidentiality.
• Perform other special projects and duties as required or assigned by the Head of School.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of relevant development experience (e.g. annual fundraising; major gift fundraising; and/or high-end account management/growth.).
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. 
• Experience in DonorPerfect or comparable fundraising CRM, Google Workspace, Microsoft Suite, and other development tools.
• Ability to work nights and weekends as workload dictates.
• Travel between the 3 campuses as necessary, occasional standing, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing; occasionally requires lifting up to 25 pounds.

Other Requirements

• State & Federal Background check and registry with the FCSR