Director of Advancement

(Full-time - 12 months, Exempt)

Children’s Day School (CDS) is a co-educational preschool through eighth grade serving over 470 students in the Mission Dolores neighborhood of San Francisco. Spanning two campuses, and home to a diverse community of students, faculty, and families, CDS is a vibrant learning community. Our teachers practice constructivist teaching; born of “learning by doing,” it is how we achieve excellent academics. We believe by encouraging children to fully engage in complex topics, and in myriad ways, we are giving them tools to become lifelong learners and passionate citizens of the world. To learn more about CDS, visit our website at www.cds-sf.org. 

Over the past 10 years, CDS has raised $26M for several capital campaign initiatives. Most recently, the school completed a $14.75M campaign to build a new Early Childhood Center and establish an endowment. Annual Giving remains strong with over $1.6M raised in the 2023-2024 school year, including the annual spring fundraiser. Building on the school’s culture of philanthropy, the new Director of Advancement will inherit a healthy and vibrant giving program and a dedicated school community. The Director of Advancement will continue to expand the advancement efforts and be responsible for planning and managing a comprehensive fundraising program to support CDS’ strategic goals.

The ideal candidate should possess the following skills and qualities: 

SPECIFIC TO ROLE

• Fundraising Strategy: Develop and execute a strategic fundraising plan that includes individual giving, major gifts, corporate partnerships, grants, and events, focusing on sustainable revenue growth and building an inclusive culture of philanthropy. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of fundraising making data decisions as needed.
• Donor Cultivation: Identify, cultivate, and maintain relationships with current and prospective donors.
• Major Gifts: Create and manage a major gifts initiative, including identifying and cultivating major donors, developing customized solicitation strategies, and securing major gifts.
• Community Building: Create and support inclusive events to celebrate the CDS community of faculty/staff/families/partners and students including our annual spring event and auction. Develop and nurture a philanthropic culture within the school community.
• Board Engagement: Collaborate with the Board to build a culture of inclusive philanthropy, training for asks, supporting discussions with best practices, and partnering with the Advancement Committee.

• Manage the Advancement team, providing leadership, guidance, and professional development opportunities to ensure the team’s success.
• Work closely with Communications to develop compelling messaging and materials. 
• Develop and nurture a philanthropic culture within the school community.
• Work with the school administration in support of the School's Strategic Framework to support long-range thinking and growth around advancement work.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Strong commitment to joining and continuing to build a learning community where the people, culture, and curriculum reflect the racial, ethnic, economic, and family diversity of San Francisco.
• Kind, thoughtful, and effective communication, willing to support people at all levels in the organization.
• Strong leadership and management skills. 
• Ability to proactively problem-solve.
• Well-developed business ethics and the ability to maintain a high level of discretion.
• Passion for working in a joyful school environment with students, parents, faculty, and staff.

Requirements:

• A minimum of 7 years of senior-level leadership experience in successful fundraising, with a proven track record of soliciting major gifts.
• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to effectively deal with multiple priorities, functions, and activities.
• Working knowledge of Blackbaud RaisersEdge, Google Suite, Excel, PowerPoint, Word.

The salary range is between $188,500- $209,400.

• Generous paid time off and 15 paid holidays
• Health and wellness benefits including medical, dental, and vision
• Employer-paid retirement plan
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition Remission
• Education Reimbursement
• Professional Development
• Employee Referral Program

Required Screenings: TB Assessment

Clearances: Livescan background check, E-Verify

Contact Information:

• Apply on our website at careers.cds-sf.org/
• Include resume and cover letter

CDS is located on two beautiful locations on Dolores Street in the Mission. The 333 Campus includes a beautiful new early childhood center, historic classroom building, environmental education kitchen, wood chips area, climbing structure, urban farm and garden (featuring chickens and two sheep!), and a play yard among the largest of independent schools in the city. 

 Curiosity and Open-Mindedness - I am curious about teaching and learning, open to new ideas and approaches, and learning from my community.

Resilience and Persistence - I know who I am, am comfortable making mistakes, and am willing to engage in productive struggle to achieve my professional goals and meet the needs of the school.

Emotional/Social Intelligence - I demonstrate empathy, listen, model respect, and take responsibility for my impact on learners, families, and colleagues.

Cultural / Intellectual Humility, Reflection, and Responsiveness - I know that my perspective is one of many, and engage in ongoing learning to unpack systems of power and privilege, broaden my worldview, and build my skills for having courageous conversations.

Advocacy/Activism/Civic Engagement - I engage actively in the learning community by contributing my time and skills to support school-wide initiatives that support program innovation, community wellbeing, and learning. I am an advocate for my families, colleagues, and self, noticing and acting when injustice is present, and reflecting on my own practice and biases.

Collaboration 

Self-Direction 

Communication

Research and Inquiry

Critical and Creative Thinking

CDS Employees demonstrate the humility to listen and the resolve to speak up for their colleagues, community, and self.