Position Summary The Director of Development is a key member of the Executive Team at Lycée Français de New York, contributing to the overall leadership and strategic advancement of the school's mission. This role drives ambitious fundraising initiatives-including the Annual Gala-that directly support the Lycée's educational programs, financial aid, and long-term strategic investments. By fostering community-building efforts, the Director strengthens connections with families, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the Lycée, ensuring sustained growth and fulfillment of the school's mission. At the Lycée, students are at the heart of everything we do, embodying our commitment to cultivating Citizens of Culture and Courage. All employees are expected to foster a supportive and respectful environment, providing encouragement and positive reinforcement to each student and one another. Every staff member is also expected to fully embrace and enthusiastically support the Lycée's mission, aligning with the vision set forth by the Head of School and the Board of Trustees. Our how : Holistic Framework for Cultivating Citizens of Culture and Courage Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work harmoniously with diverse personalities are essential. All employees are strongly encouraged to pursue proficiency in both French and English and to cultivate an understanding and appreciation of the Lycée's rich intercultural environment. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Duties / Responsibilities:
- Fundraising Leadership: Develops, in alignment with the goals set by the Board of Trustees and the Head of School, and executes, with the guidance of the Chair, and Vice-Chair of the Development Committee, comprehensive fundraising strategies, including the Annual Fund, capital campaigns, and major gift initiatives. Leads solicitation efforts to engage key donors and secure major gifts. Incorporates diversity and inclusion principles into fundraising strategies, ensuring that campaigns are inclusive and reflective of the school's diverse community.
- Budget and Financial Planning: Works with the Chief Financial and Operating Officer and the Finance Committee to develop the Annual Budget for the activities of the Development Department, ensuring that fundraising efforts align with the school's financial goals and strategic investments.
- Strategic Advancement Collaboration: Works closely with the Communications, Marketing, Admissions, and Cultural Events teams to ensure a unified approach to advancement. Conducts regular coordination meetings with key stakeholders, including the Head of School, Development Committee, and Board of Trustees, to align development efforts with the school's strategic objectives. This collaboration enhances the impact of fundraising initiatives on visibility, student recruitment, and community engagement.
- Data-Informed Strategy, Research and Best Practices: Leverages data analytics and industry research to drive informed decision-making and optimize fundraising strategies. Implements advanced segmentation techniques to personalize outreach for various donor groups, ensuring effective communication and engagement. Stays current with industry trends and benchmarks against peer institutions to integrate cutting-edge techniques into the school's development efforts. Regularly shares insights and best practices with the Head of School, the Development Team, the Development Committee, and the Board of Trustees to continuously enhance fundraising and community engagement outcomes.
- Community and Donor Relations: Builds and nurtures strong, inclusive relationships with the school community, major donors, and alumni, ensuring that every member, regardless of background, feels valued and connected to the Lycée's mission. Actively encourages participation in fundraising and volunteer activities, fostering a culture of giving that reflects and embraces the diverse identities within the community. This approach ensures that all constituencies are engaged and that their contributions are recognized and celebrated.
- Alumni and Parent Engagement: The Director of Development oversees alumni engagement efforts through the Associate Director of Alumni Communities and Historical Stewardship. This includes guiding alumni relations and collaborating with the Parents Association (APL) to foster a culture of giving. The Director partners with APL leadership on shared events to strengthen ties within the school community and promote sustained support.
- Communications: Leads the creation of compelling written materials, publications, and social media content that effectively support fundraising efforts and elevate the Lycée's internal and external visibility. Ensures consistency and alignment in messaging across all platforms and channels, reinforcing the school's brand and mission. Delivers effective verbal communications at key events, ensuring that speeches and presentations resonate with diverse audiences, including donors, alumni, and the broader community. Collaborates with the Communications and Marketing teams to synchronize advancement communications, maximizing engagement with key stakeholders.
- Event Management: The Director of Development is responsible for crafting and implementing a comprehensive strategy for all school events, ensuring that each event-whether focused on fundraising, community-building, or other objectives-has a clear mission aligned with the school's broader goals. This includes developing specific objectives for different types of events and ensuring they effectively support the Lycée's mission and advancement strategy. Plans and oversees the execution of major school events with the support of the Community Event and Special Projects Manager, such as the Annual Lycée Gala, ensuring they support the school's mission and fundraising goals.
- Foundation and Corporate Stewardship: Leads efforts to maintain and expand relationships with foundations, corporations, and major donors. Oversees prospect research and solicitation efforts, ensuring a systematic approach to securing sustained financial support.
- Team Development: Leads and mentors the Development Team, fostering a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive environment. Identifies staffing needs and makes recommendations to the Head of School, with a focus on recruiting and developing talent to enhance team diversity. Promotes professional growth, team-building initiatives and the establishment of best practices, ensuring that every team member is empowered to succeed. Regularly reports on team progress to the Head of School and the Chair, and Vice-Chair of the Development Committee.
- Additional Responsibilities: Undertakes any other duties related to advancement and fundraising as assigned by the Head of School and/or the Board of Trustees throughout the school year. These responsibilities may include special projects, strategic initiatives, or tasks that support the advancement of the school's mission and contribute to the overall success of its development efforts.
Qualifications and Skills Education / Experience
- Educational Background: Bachelor's degree required; an advanced degree in a relevant field is preferred.
- Professional Experience: Minimum of seven years of experience in leading advancement or development department in not-for-profit organization, with a proven track record of successful fundraising and leadership in a fast-paced environment.
- Sector Experience: Prior experience in an educational or nonprofit setting is highly desirable, particularly in roles requiring strategic planning, donor engagement, and community building.
Skills / Attitudes
- Strategic Leadership: Demonstrated ability to develop and execute long-term fundraising strategies that align with the school's mission and goals.
- Communication Excellence: Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
- Interpersonal Skills: Strong relationship-building skills, capable of engaging with trustees, donors, alumni, staff, and community members effectively.
- Cultural Competency: Ability to thrive in a multicultural, multilingual environment, with a deep appreciation for diversity and inclusion. Actively promotes these values through tailored development initiatives, ensuring that fundraising efforts reflect and support the diverse community of the Lycée. Engages with diverse groups within the school community to foster inclusivity in all advancement activities.
- Analytical Thinking: Proficiency in using data to inform strategies and decisions, optimizing fundraising and community engagement efforts.
- Team Leadership: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and inspire a team, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
- Adaptability and Work Ethic:
Exceptional work ethic, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.