The School for Ethics and Global Leadership (SEGL) is a semester-long residential program for intellectually motivated high school juniors who represent the diversity of the United States.
SEGL has campuses in Johannesburg, South Africa; London, United Kingdom; and Washington, DC, and each campus serves approximately 24 students each term.
The program selects students who demonstrate outstanding character, leadership potential, and academic excellence, and offers them a unique curriculum focused on ethical thinking, leadership development, and international affairs.
Opportunity:
The Director of Advancement, reporting directly to the Head of School and serving as a key member of the senior leadership team, will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for all aspects of SEGL’s fundraising efforts. The Director will play a central part in shaping institutional priorities and advancing SEGL’s long-term philanthropic goals. The Director will be a dynamic and persuasive communicator, representing the school to major donors, alumni, and key stakeholders. The ideal candidate will bring a deep commitment to SEGL’s core values and a passion for fulfilling its mission. Responsibilities include:
Fundraising:
- Cultivate and steward relationships with key stakeholders across SEGL, parent, and graduate communities.
- Identify and solicit gifts at all levels to meet an annual fundraising goal of $1.2 million for the Annual Fund and special initiatives.
- In coordination with the Head of School, develop best-in-class salon events for high-level benefactors.
- Write compelling proposals to secure funding from identified prospects.
- Conduct thorough research to identify potential major benefactors and build a robust prospect pipeline.
- Manage all strategies and activities for benefactor cultivation, solicitation, and accountability.
- Provide research, background information, appropriate materials, and recommended strategies that enhance conversations between benefactors, potential benefactors, and the Head of School.
- Work closely with SEGL’s Board of Trustees and report on fundraising progress, secure their support for development initiatives, and engage it in donor cultivation.
- Serve as a member of the senior leadership team, helping to oversee day-to-day operations and guide strategic planning to ensure SEGL’s current and future financial needs are met or exceeded.
Stewardship and Reporting:
- Establish a comprehensive stewardship program to maintain meaningful connections with benefactors and provide regular updates on the impact of their contributions.
- Ensure timely generation of donation acknowledgements and recognition, accounting, and data management.
- Plan and execute fundraising events.
- Develop and track proposals and reports.
- Provide comprehensive data and statistical reporting to the Head of School to set annual fundraising strategy, goals, and agenda.
- Manage and maintain SEGL’s Development CRM (Blackbaud/Raiser’s Edge).
Communications:
- Work with the Head of School to coordinate institutional external messaging designed to elevate SEGL’s visibility.
- Plan and direct a comprehensive, coordinated, and high-quality communications plan to express the mission and value of SEGL to various audiences.
- Develop and implement communication strategies that strengthen relationships with current and prospective donors, including personalized outreach, impact storytelling, and stewardship materials.
Student and Graduate Relations:
- Identify and implement short and long-range goals, policies, and operating procedures for management of the SEGL’s graduate class.
- Develop and manage an annual plan for graduate relations.
- Maintain an accurate and complete database of graduates and friends of SEGL to track ROI on SEGL programming, and to enable successful fundraising research, prospecting, and donation tracking.
- Engage current and recent families of SEGL students and re-engage graduates and graduate families.
Ideal Candidate:
- Bachelor’s degree required. Development certification (CFRE, CFRM) would be a valued addition.
- Proven success as a nonprofit/education fundraiser, with experience in major gifts and a successful track record in developing comprehensive fundraising strategies.
- Demonstrated excellence as an authentic relationship builder.
- Exceptional writing skills.
- Experience in event planning and execution.
- Ability to work successfully with major donors, alumni, senior administrators, and SEGL colleagues.
- Experience with Blackbaud / Raiser’s Edge NXT software is preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information.
- Strong attention to detail and a determined attitude toward meeting deadlines and goals.
- Enthusiasm for working as part of a passionate, collegial, mission-driven team that celebrates diversity.
DRiWaterstone is proud to lead this search on behalf of The School for Ethics and Global Leadership.
