Assistant Director for Advancement

**Department: Advancement**

**Reports to: Deputy Head of School for Advancement and Strategy**

**Interfaces with**:Advancement team, Head of School, principals, teachers and students**, parents, volunteers, alumni, vendors**

**Term of contract: full time**

**Start date: immediately**

**Salary range: $ 85,000 - $ 100,000**

**The School**

**Position Rationale and Goal**:
The Assistant Director of Advancement embraces the model of a family’s single, ongoing relationship with Stratford Hall. This relationship begins with an admission inquiry and ignites a lifelong journey of discovery with Stratford Hall as prospective families become current families and donors, as current donors become donors who give planned gifts, and as young students become alumni who lead for impact.

The Assistant Director of Advancement will also work closely with the Deputy Head of School for Advancement and Strategy in the implementation of three critical branches:
- Marketing and Communications: development of a vibrant, creative marketing and communications strategy that captures our constituencies' attention and shares the School's essential values and exciting future plans;- Admissions/Enrollment Management: how Stratford Hall identifies, recruits, enrolls, and re-enrolls mission aligned students and families;- Development: how Stratford Hall identifies, engages, and stewards donors and prospects to nurture relationships and increase resources.

The Stratford Hall faculty and staff developed a profile to capture our priorities as educators.

I am a Stratford Hall Educator:
- I Pursue Knowledge- I Listen to Understand- I Build Bridges- I Model Adaptability
- I Cultivate Safe Spaces

**Key Responsibilities**

Marketing and Communications:

- Develop and execute a comprehensive marketing plan to increase visibility, brand awareness, and enrollment;-
- Manage implementation of multi-channel marketing strategy, including a mix of paid and organic material;- Collaborate with faculty, parents, and students to gather and share stories that highlight Stratford Hall’s impact on student success;
- Manage the production of marketing materials (brochures, videos, newsletters, etc.) that resonate with target audiences.

Alumni Engagement:

- In close collaboration with the Advancement team, develop a vision and strategic plan for Alumni Relations that will inspire and engage alumni, volunteers, employees, and students, with the goal of enhancing friend-raising and fundraising for the School;- Build upon existing Alumni Relations programs and activities, and develop new and innovative activities that align with and support the overall advancement strategy and goals;- Oversee the building and cultivation of lifelong relationships with our 500+ alumni;- Review mass communications between Stratford Hall and its alumni, ensuring that information about both the School’s goals and accomplishments is effectively communicated, and that appropriate opportunities are provided for alumni to engage in dialogue with the School, students, and other alumni;
- Collaborate with senior leaders, faculty and staff to develop strategies that align alumni activities with the goals of the School.

**Qualifications and Skills**
- A bachelor’s degree in marketing, education, communications, or a related field;- Five or more years of development or related experience, with a preference for marketing and communications, alumni relations, strategic planning and campaign work;- Experience at an institution known for best practices and its track record for attracting voluntary support;- Ability to think strategically and approach challenges with a positive and innovative perspective;- Strong understanding of independent school environments and the needs of students and families supporting students with learning differences;- Proven ability to develop and execute marketing strategies, with experience in digital and print media;- Self-starter, with a high level of initiative;- Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines;- Proficiency in CRM systems, website management, and social media platforms;- Collaborative team player who is also self-motivated and results-driven;
- Photography/videography skills are an asset.

Communication:

- Be an outstanding communicator, orally and in writing;
- Be capable of engaging parents and volunteers in stimulating dialogue about the School.

Collaboration:

- Fully support the School’s vision and mission, and the notion of “extraordinary care”;- Have an external focus and passion for building and sustaining relationships and contacts;
- Have comfort dealing with people from all backgrounds and positions ranging from corporate executives to support staff members.

Content Knowledge:

- Have great enthusiasm and skill for advancement and development work, with high energy for a fast paced environment.

Creativity
- Be an effective storyteller who can articulate the case for support of Stratford Hall.