Director of Advancement and External Affairs

Director Of Advancement And External Affairs

Congressional Schools seeks a Director of Advancement and External Affairs to start in summer of 2026. The Director of Advancement and External Affairs reports to the Head of School and serves as a key member of the School's Leadership Team. They will be expected to provide meaningful input on a full range of issues facing the school, so a contemporary and comprehensive knowledge of independent school education and Preschool-12 education is much desired.

The Director of Advancement and External Affairs will define a vision for advancement, parent and alumni relations, and implement the necessary infrastructure that strengthens a culture of philanthropy; supports the school's strategic priorities; attracts new sources of funding; promotes the involvement of parents, alumni and friends; and raises the visibility of Congressional School.

Along with the Head of School, the Director of Advancement and External Affairs serves as the chief development officer and strategic advancement leader for Congressional, provides advice to the Head of School regarding fundraising priorities, and leads the advancement team. In addition to formal duties, the successful director of advancement and external affairs must be an integral member of the school community and take an active interest in the social and community-building activities of the school.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Develops the annual advancement plan, providing counsel and working in concert with the Head of School and current Strategic Plan
• Develops a culture of philanthropy at the School, fostering good will with constituents at every level, cultivates connections with the School community, and develops new relations with those outside the School
• Works in concert with the Head of School in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting a portfolio of major donors, including donors making planned gifts to the School
• Devises and manages a fundraising program to attract maximum gift support through an annual fund, planned giving, corporate and foundation grants, and endowment giving
• Develops, implements and manages the annual giving program
• Develops and maintains strategic partnerships with key business, community, academic and philanthropic organizations
• Identifies opportunities to increase the visibility of Congressional School among AISGW, VAIS and NAIS schools, and build the School's reputation and presence as a mission-driven, engaged, strong community player and employer
• Develops, implements and manages a strong alumni base with a goal toward increasing fundraising initiatives
• Works in concert with the Head of School to develop and manage a major gifts program, and partners with Head of School in cultivating and soliciting major gifts
• Designs, organizes, manages, and implements all capital and endowment campaigns
• Identifies and solicits corporate and foundation grants
• Serves as a member of the School's Leadership Team
• Develops an annual budget that is directly linked to the priorities of the department and the institution and works with the CFO/COO to ensure prudent budget expenses
• Supervises, sets direction and supports goals for each member of the Advancement team in order to maximize their individual talents and encourage professional growth
• Contributes to the planning and implementation of the School's long-range marketing plan, working closely with Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid and Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications
• Assists the Director of Communications in the planning and production of all external School publications
• Works closely with the Congressional School Parent Organization (CSPO) and manages the Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications
• Maintains a regular presence in the School community
• Performs other initiatives, special programs and duties as assigned by the Head of School

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in a related field
• Five or more years of experience in development, preferably in an independent school
• Ease in working with donors, parents, board members, community members and other stakeholders and can work independently
• Broad and deep knowledge of fundraising, communications, and marketing, and the ways in which these three functional areas must integrate seamlessly in order to form a successful, comprehensive advancement effort
• Previous experience with Blackbaud's Raiser's Edge; proficiency in basic data management systems, and basic computer applications; willingness and ability to learn additional applications as needed
• Proven track record in all key advancement areas
• Experience with grants/grant writing
• Knowledge of current best practices in development and external affairs
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with a high capacity for accuracy, attention to detail, and analysis
• Excellent judgment and ability to work in a changing environment
• Outstanding relationship building and collaboration skills to work with a diverse constituency.
• Strong results-orientation and highly collaborative style
• Management skills that allow one to oversee, motivate, and delegate effectively to a team while retaining ultimate responsibility for the activities of the department
• An ability to work in a joyful, collegial and collaborative environment
• A sense of humor, warm personality, and growth-mindset