About the Opportunity:

826 Boston seeks a dynamic candidate with a strong command of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles to serve as our next Senior Director of Advancement. The ideal candidate is someone who can lead large-scale projects while coordinating the work of others, build and leverage strong networks to cultivate meaningful external relationships, and approach challenges with creativity and speed. The ideal candidate will bring a track record of success and innovation with major fundraising campaigns and a passion for writing and youth leadership development.

The Senior Director of Advancement will have at least three direct reports and oversee the organizations entire Development and Communications department. The Senior Director of Advancement will also serve on the organizations senior management team, contributing to organizational decision-making and vision-setting.

Our Mission:

826 Boston is a nonprofit writing, tutoring, and publishing organization where students in grades K-12 and beyond can share their stories, amplify their voices, and develop as leaders in school and in life.

Responsibilities:

The Director of Advancement will work 40 hours a week. Regular in-person hours are required. Applicants must reside in Massachusetts before the role starts and be able to commute to the in-person location listed below

• In-Person Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 9am – 5pm with potential flexibility on start and end time if needed
• In-Person Location: 1865 Columbus Ave., Roxbury, MA 02119
• Remote Hours: Most Fridays. Required all-team meetings, professional development, and tasks occur on virtual Fridays
  • Occasional departmental and organizational meetings will take place on Fridays at our Tutoring Center located at 3035 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA 02119

Planning and Strategy

• Develops and executes an annual fundraising plan thats aligned with the organizations strategic plan and current five-year fundraising campaign, collaborating with the Executive Director, board members, and key team members
• Oversees the development and execution of an annual communication plan to elevate the work and impact of the organization with key audiences and stakeholders
• Partners with the Executive Director to establish appropriate goals, timetables, benchmarks, plans, and budgets for all fundraising events and activities
• Supports the development of internal communication plans and strategies to promote smooth operations and encourage cross-team collaboration
• Introduces and maintains best practices in development and communications through ongoing professional development for relevant team members and board members

Donor Cultivation and Stewardship

• Broadens, deepens, and diversifies 826 Boston’s base of major donors and philanthropic profile, in partnership with the Executive Director and Board of Directors
• Ensures that touchpoints with high-level prospects and donors occur on a regular basis
• Oversees the donor solicitation and acknowledgment process, creation and maintenance of donor records, and funder information

Institutional Support

• Oversee the Director of Foundation Relations and the Associate Development Director to ensure that high-quality grant applications and sponsorship requests are submitted on schedule
• Seeks out opportunities to cultivate relationships with new foundations and giving institutions

Events

• Ensure board member and stakeholder attendance at signature fundraising events
• Manages team members to provide additional fundraising events, campaigns, and initiatives to meet annual fundraising goals

Communications and Marketing

• Oversees the Director of Communications to create marketing and publicity via social media, local, and national media outlets
• Manages the team that authors end-of-year appeals, annual reports, impact reports, organizational literature, and other external documents
• Oversees the team that ensures 826 Bostons website clearly and effectively communicates the organizations mission, purpose, and impact while remaining accessible and user-friendly
• Supports the Executive Director in identifying opportunities to participate as a thought leader in media, events, conferences, and similar settings
• Identifies applicable opportunities for the Director of Advancement and other members of the 826 Boston team to strategically represent 826 Boston publicly

Team Management

• Engages and supports the 826 Boston Board of Directors in their fundraising endeavors
• Fosters a positive, collaborative team culture within the Development and Communications department.
• Directly supervises at least three reports: Director of Communications, Director of Foundation Relations, and Associate Director of Development
• Serve on the senior management team to ensure progress toward strategic plan goals and identify areas of strength, opportunity, and vulnerability in infrastructure, resources, and staff
• Serves as staff liaison to the Boards Advancement Committee and guides its activities
• Helps identify professional development opportunities for the development and communications department
• Provides other services as reasonably requested by the Executive Director

Qualifications

The ideal candidate is a team player with a steadfast commitment to improving the quality of K-12 education, including adopting antiracist/anti-oppressive approaches, with a desire to work in a collaborative and inclusive culture, and a passion for y…