The Episcopal School of Dallas (ESD) invites interest in an opportunity to join the school’s fundraising team as Director of Advancement. Established in 1974, ESD is celebrating its 50th anniversary and heading into a $50,000,000 endowment campaign. The school enjoys giving support influenced by the philanthropic culture of Dallas, enhanced by being in the midst of one of the most vibrant economies in the United States.

Following the successful completion of a $75 million comprehensive campaign (ending in 2021), the Director of Advancement will report to the Chief Advancement Officer and serve as a strategic partner as well as being a member of the leadership team for the Advancement Office. Primary responsibility on arrival will be Campaign Manager, along with managerial oversight of day-to-day advancement operations including annual giving – The ESD Fund, Major Gifts, Stewardship, Data Services, Alumni Relations, and Events.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
In collaboration with the Chief Advancement Officer, develop strategic plans to support the department’s operating annual goals and ESD’s Our Time to Soar campaign
Manage the Our Time to Soar campaign
Including staffing campaign leadership and the cabinet, planning and executing cabinet meetings, and following through on meeting actions
Working with Advancement Data Services, maintain current and accurate campaign progress, as well as on-going review of prospects and prospect research
Orchestrate and leverage, along with the Chief Advancement Officer and frontline fundraisers, the influence of cabinet members as resources to identify, cultivate, and solicit leadership gifts
Relying on the ESD Communications Office, manage campaign materials – brochures, lists of naming opportunities, impact stories, etc.
Plan and oversee execution of campaign donor cultivation and stewardship events
Oversee drafting major gift proposals while collaborating with appropriate gift officers
Oversee documentation of all major gifts and endowment agreements
Oversee the flow of communications of gift announcements, announcing the public phase of the campaign, and all relevant correspondence
Cultivate and solicit a portfolio of appropriately-assigned donors (timing and quantity of to be determined)
Prepare Advancement Board reports
Manage the Advancement budget
Manage the advancement team operations to include Annual Fund, Major Gifts, Stewardship, Data Services, Alumni Relations, and Events to meet annual goals and enhance best practices

Other Responsibilities

Occasional travel
Occasional evening and weekend work
Maintain working knowledge of campus news

The new Director of Advancement will play a key role in positioning the school for a successful campaign and beyond. During the Our Time to Soar campaign, the school will engage in the process of campus master-planning with the intent of moving into a capital-focused campaign soon after. All told, the school aims to raise a combined $70-$100-million over the next ten-years, making this an exceptional professional opportunity.

Timing

This position is scheduled for a start date of January 1, 2025.

About Dallas, Texas

Dallas is the 22nd most wealthy city in the world and sixth in the United States (based on household millionaires), home to the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, the NHL’s Dallas Stars, MLB’s Texas Rangers, the Meyerson Symphony Center in the midst of the 70-Acre Downtown Arts District – the largest arts district in the United States, and future home to the planned Texas Stock Exchange (TXSE)… all of which adds up to the dynamics of a vibrant city in which to live and to work.

Education, Experience, Skills

Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree preferred
7+ years of experience in the nonprofit sector and in fundraising
Management experience and demonstrated success soliciting and closing major and leadership gifts in a college, university, or an independent school setting, with a preference for independent school experience
Comprehensive campaign experience preferred
Excellent planning, writing and verbal communication skills
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with all the school’s constituents while maintaining strict confidentiality
Strategic and ambitious thinker with an outstanding positive attitude
Passionate about working in a school with a clearly defined, faith-informed mission of igniting lives of purpose
Outstanding knowledge of fundraising data software and database management software
Experience with and motivating volunteers and staff members
Familiarity with Dallas and the local community

Contact Information