2024 DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS

POSITION POSTED: 5/6/2024

FULL-TIME POSITION

HOURS: 40

DEADLINE TO APPLY 

One City Schools believes in identifying and hiring the best possible candidates to serve our scholars, families and school community. All Positions at OCS remain open until the right candidate, with skill and will, is identified.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of External Relations is responsible for leading the school's fundraising efforts and overseeing the marketing and events functions to support development goals. This position reports to the Vice President of External Relations and supervises the Marketing Manager and Events Manager. Key responsibilities include setting and achieving annual fundraising targets, managing a portfolio of donors and prospects, overseeing marketing and communications to support development, and planning and executing major fundraising events.

Additionally this person has the proven ability to write coherent, organized, and compelling proposals, apply their knowledge of fundraising methods and plans to reach income goals, manage compliance and reporting, and collaborate with team members to assist with the acquisition of large grants, both public and private, local and national.

To ensure success, this person must be committed to the mission and vision of One City Schools. Preferred applicants are deadline-driven team players.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement the school's annual development plan to meet fundraising goals
• Manage a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation donors and prospects
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with donors to secure financial support
• Oversee the marketing and communications strategy to promote the school and its fundraising initiatives
• Supervise the Marketing Manager to ensure consistent branding, messaging, and collateral
• Supervise the Events Manager to plan and execute major fundraising events, including an annual gala
• Analyze performance metrics and provide regular reports on development activities and outcomes
• Collaborate cross-functionally with the VP of External Relations and school leadership to align development efforts with the overall strategic plan
• Stay up-to-date on trends and best practices in educational fundraising
• Manage the development team budget and resources

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES Continued 

• Managing the entire grant process, including: research and identification of grants, local and national, public and private; ensuring compliance and reporting requirements are met; working with the accounting team to obtain funds from reimbursable grants.
• Maintain and implement a calendar of grant deadlines.
• With the External Relations team, prepare grant applications and proposals, working across OCS teams to obtain information.
• Maintain thorough understanding of One City Schools’ current and planned programs, goals, and financial goals.
• Developing relationships and collaborating with key stakeholders.
• Displaying adherence to the organization’s mission.
• Maintaining proficient knowledge of the organization’s history and programs.
• Assisting with the execution of the External Relations department strategy.
• Collaborating with the External Relations and OPs teams to compile annual reports.
• Maintaining records in hard copies and computer databases.

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES

• Model One City’s Habits of Character: integrity, self-respect, compassion, and perseverance.Maintain appropriate work habits, including punctual, consistent attendance and appropriate use of planning time;
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with colleagues while demonstrating commitment to teamwork;
• Strive to communicate the positive aspects of One City Schools to the public in word and deed;
• Help maintain a clean, orderly and welcoming educational environment and facility;
• hows grace and support when engaging children, parents and guests who utilize or visit One City; 
• Demonstration of excellence with judgment, decision making, problem-solving skills and an innovative mindset;
• Energetic, flexible and open-minded; a willingness to embrace strategic change based on best interests of our scholars;
• Self-reflective and proactive with a growth mindset, including the desire to receive and give feedback.

ROLE SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, marketing, communications, or related field
• 5 years of progressive experience in development, fundraising, or external relations
• Demonstrated success in securing gifts and grants from individual, corporate, and foundation donors
• Strong project management, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Proficient in data analysis and CRM software

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Strong commitment to the mission, vision, goals and objectives of One City.
• Completion of a background check required.

WHAT WE OFFER: COMPENSATION AND EVALUATION

One City offers salaries and wages that are competitive within our local market and area public schools, as well as comprehensive benefits to all full-time employees. Benefits include:

• Salaries: Dependent on education, experience and accomplishments
• Your age-eligible child automatically admitted to an open seat at One City Schools charter schools 
• Access to onsite infant care program ((discounted rate), access to an open seat in 2K-3K (discounted rate) 
• Generous time-off program with 18 Days of PTO and over 40 non-deducted, PTO scheduled by One City Schools.
• Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental and vision)
• Voluntary Benefits (Supplemental Life, Accident, Short Term Disability, etc.)
• Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability, Employee Assistance and Well-Being programs
• Compensation is consistent with our approved plan as stipulated by the Board of Directors.

BACKGROUND ON ONE CITY SCHOOLS

Established in 2014, One City Schools, Inc. is a nonprofit school management organization based in Madison, Wisconsin that operates high quality preschools and public charter 4K - 12 schools in Wisconsin. One City's mission is to seed a new model of public education that ensures children and teens are on track to succeed in a college or career preparatory program from birth through high school graduation. We are dedicated to ensuring that our Scholars live and lead with good character, practice self-care and personal wellness, and possess the requisite knowledge, skills, motivation, adaptability, and preparation to make the world better through acts of community service, and whatever careers or occupations they will choose in the future.

One City Preschool (OCP) is an accredited, award-winning, tuition-based early childhood learning center operated by One City Schools, Inc. that serves children ages 3 months through 4 years. We facilitate and support your child’s early learning, development, and wellness within a play-based learning environment, which leads to their success and a joy for learning in grade school and beyond. OCP is accredited by the City of Madison (WI) Child Care Division and recognized as a 5-Star (out of 5) childcare program by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Note: OCP also operates a preschool serving infants and one-year-olds, but these age levels are currently only available to the staff of One City Schools.

One City Elementary School (OCES) is a tuition-free public charter school in Madison, Wisconsin, dedicated to preparing children in grades 4K to 5 to have a positive and sustainable impact on the world. Established in 2018 by One City Schools OCES fosters a deep love of learning, community, and strong character within its students. By cultivating broad cultural and global perspectives, OCES empowers its young scholars to think deeply and critically, solve complex problems, and approach challenges with confidence, commitment, joy, and creativity. The school's emphasis on reading, writing and STEM, along with personal wellness, teamwork, effective communication, and high-quality work, equips children for success in middle school and beyond.

One City Preparatory Academy (OCPA) is a tuition-free public charter school in Madison, Wisconsin, dedicated to preparing young people in grades 6 through 12 to have a positive and sustainable impact on the world. Established in 2022 by One City Schools, OCPA fosters a deep love of learning, community, and strong character within its students. By cultivating broad cultural and global perspectives, OCPA empowers its scholars to think deeply and critically, solve complex problems, and approach challenges with confidence, commitment, joy, and creativity. The school's emphasis on personal wellness, teamwork, effective communication, and high-quality work equips its students for success in high school, college and beyond.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

One City is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all team members and applicants, and to maintaining a work environment in which everyone is treated with respect and dignity.