Director of Development | The Steward School

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Richmond, Virginia

Director of Development THE OPPORTUNITY The next director of development for The Steward School will have the opportunity to help complete the current capital campaign and move the school community to a new level of engagement in supporting Steward.

The director of development is Steward’s chief development officer providing leadership for

W H O S H O U L D A P P LY ?

philanthropic initiatives. This individual will be part of the advancement team and will report to the head of school and lead the development department. The advancement team also includes the director of marketing and communications and director of admissions.

In addition to the director, the development staff includes an associate director of development, development associate, part-time alumni engagement coordinator, and a part-time events

We seek a development professional

coordinator. Additional resources are available for contract grant writing support.

• with experience in major gift development and solicitation, • who wants to become an integral part of a vibrant educational community, • who thrives on developing deep relationships, and • who has the leadership skills to

The Steward School OVERVIEW The Steward School’s mission is to prepare each child for college and for life in a community defined by robust academics, inspiration, engagement, and care. Since we began nearly 50 years ago, we have been a community that helps students become their own best selves. Our tagline is a succinct summary of who we are at our core:

lead an active department.

Fuel the Mind. Stir the Imagination. Unleash the Possibilities.

We fuel our students’ minds with rigorous academics and unbridled imagination. Program initiatives like Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Service Learning, and Health and Wellness are our hallmarks. Our athletic teams have won eight state championships in the last six years, and our high-quality arts program and world-class theatre are known throughout the region. Our community prizes inclusion and well-being for all students; this year’s parent survey noted that 95% of students are enthusiastic about school. Our faculty love being here too — in 2021, we were named a Richmond Times-Dispatch Top Workplace for the sixth year in a row, based on the results of an employee survey.

Philanthropy at The Steward School BACKGROUND As we approach 50 years of educating students, The Steward School has an established and comprehensive development program, including successful capital, annual fund, and planned giving efforts. Through the generosity of Steward’s alumni, parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends, the current capital campaign, Steward50, has raised $6.6 million to date to support endowment, annual fund, and campus improvements.

Steward50 will also enable the realization of our current strategic plan, Compass 2022, and support the ongoing strength of the school. This plan, developed by students, faculty, staff, board members, alumni, and families, better prepares students for college and for life by focusing on five priorities: complexity and creativity, attending to the whole person, strength in diversity, meaningful partnerships, and alumni relationships. Learn more details about the strategic plan.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES Thanks to the engagement of many dedicated volunteers, gener-

head of school in cultivating additional supporters. We know

ous donors, and talented faculty, The Steward School is well-

that board members, parents, and other community members

positioned for future success. The next director of development

are ready to increase their support for the school. The director

will be instrumental in:

will also find that other administrators and staff are collaborative and ready to help. While the Steward community is a vibrant and

Leading the Development Office Our development office is staffed with new and seasoned professionals. The team is collaborative and creative in its approach towards fundraising and events. We have invested in Raiser’s Edge, which is among the most comprehensive development

supportive one, the restrictions of COVID-19 have impacted community involvement. Our next development director will need to help reinvigorate our parent volunteer and donor base.

Partnering with the Head of School

software packages available. The office also supports our auxiliary

The development director will join forces with the head of school

organizations, which include the Alumni Board, Parents Associa-

to protect and provide for the school’s financial future – both in

tion, and Spartan Club.

the short and long-term. Expectations are high, as is the level of support the next development director will find at Steward. The

Tapping the Power of the Community The Board of Trustees has reached a new level of engagement in supporting the School. As Steward moves forward, the board is committed to supporting the director of development and the

head of school views his leadership team as partners, and looks forward to working with the new development director to build on current momentum, develop new relationships and strategies, and successfully complete the Steward50 campaign.

Details of the Position DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

PERSONAL QUALITIES AND SKILLS DESIRED

The director of development reports to the head of school and serves

Successful candidates will demonstrate the following skills and

as a member of the Executive Council and Advancement Committee.

attributes:

Duties and responsibilities include: • In coordination with the head of school, cultivate and further enhance key relationships, communicating directly with major donors and prospects, and corporate/ foundation/community leaders.

• In partnership with the head of school, provide staff leadership for the board’s advancement committee and for the engagement of trustees and annual fund volunteers in cultivation and fundraising efforts.

• Collaborate with the senior administrative team to align fundraising strategies with program initiatives.

• Report fundraising progress to the Board of Trustees and staff leadership.

• Manage and expand all development activities, increasing major gifts, corporate and foundation gifts, and revenue from the annual fund and other sources.

• Manage and enhance policies, procedures, and infrastructure related to effectively operating the development efforts.

• Supervise, evaluate, and encourage the professional growth of development staff.

• Passion for The Steward School’s mission and the ability to effectively articulate the importance and impact of our work.

• Ability to think strategically, create a comprehensive fundraising plan, and provide best-practice fundraising knowledge.

• Ability to develop quality relationships with a variety of constituencies, including major donors.

• Excellent written and spoken communication skills.

• Strong management, interpersonal, and supervisory skills, as demonstrated by the ability to work well with colleagues and volunteers.

• Highly developed organizational skills with an eye for detail.

• Ability to take initiative, think independently, employ metrics, and take rational risks.

• Ability to perform under deadlines and changing schedules.

EXPERIENCE DESIRED •

Bachelor’s degree is required; master’s degree is preferred. CFRE

•

certification is a plus.

•

development, successful grant proposals, and meeting fundraising goals.

Candidates should have a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in development, including at least

•

five years managing staff and working with nonprofit boards.

•

Experience in all aspects of development, including major gifts, corporate/foundation relations, annual giving, and planned giving.

Demonstrated personal success in donor cultivation, major gifts

Proven track record of achieving revenue targets of $1-3 million or more annually.

•

Experience working closely with high net worth individuals, foundation leadership, and senior-level executives.

A P P LY I N G Candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to the attention

The Steward School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and

of Katherine Whitney at HR@warrenwhitney.com. Please include

applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, ethnic or national

Steward Development Director in the subject line of your email. All

origin, age, sex, disability, marital status, military status, pregnancy, personal appear-

questions should be directed to Mrs. Whitney by email or at 804-

ance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic

282-9566. In order to provide equal employment and advancement

information, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected

opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at The Steward

by law in the administration of its educational, admission, scholarship, or employ-

School will be based on merit, performance, qualifications, and abilities.

ment policies, or any other program administered by the School.

11600 Gayton Road

Richmond, Virginia 23238 www.stewardschool.org

(804) 740-3394