Director of Advancement

CIS NOVA seeks a dedicated professional committed to improving the lives of students and families to serve as our Director of Advancement. Working closely with the President & CEO and Board of Directors, the Director of Advancement is a leadership team member guiding the strategic direction of the organization’s fundraising and outreach plans. With a primary focus on donor strategy, the Director engages current and new supporters, increases financial investments in CIS NOVA, and builds an increasingly strong and diverse network of stakeholders.

As the lead fundraiser for CIS NOVA, the Director of Advancement will spend time in the community building relationships with donors, partners and prospects, and enhancing CIS NOVA’s brand recognition and presence with the goal of expanding the base of support. The Director of Advancement will leverage the President & CEO and Board of Directors in the cultivation and solicitation of major contributions from individuals and corporations.

In coordination with the leadership team, the Director sets and achieves annual and long-range fundraising goals, measuring progress throughout the year to ensure success. CIS NOVA’s expansion plans will require significant increases in annual support, with a goal of $500,000 - $750,000 in the first year.

The Director of Advancement reports to the President & CEO and works closely with the Vice President & COO, Board of Directors, and Trustees. The position will supervise 1 - 2 support positions.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive Advancement strategy to achieve annual fundraising goals and other key performance indicators (e.g., list growth).
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit a portfolio of major donors and corporate supporters, and steward existing donors to ensure their ongoing support.
• Conduct in-person meetings and attend events across the organization’s geographic service area to deepen relationships.
• Oversee two annual fundraising events by securing sponsorships, selling tickets, and managing logistics.
• Create opportunities to promote and represent the organization in the community with the goal of increasing support.
• Design and implement 2 - 3 direct response campaigns each year.
• Provide support (e.g., research, briefing materials, meeting logistics) to the President & CEO and volunteer leadership in their efforts to increase philanthropic support of CIS NOVA.
• Leverage communications and marketing tools to raise the organizational profile and to attract and engage donors, including the website and social media accounts.
• Manage staff (1 - 2 people) who perform Advancement support functions such as social media, e-communications, gift processing and acknowledgment, graphic design, and community engagement events.
• Track metrics and provide revenue projection updates.
• Support the grant writing efforts managed by the President & CEO and Vice President & COO.

Qualifications

CIS NOVA is seeking a professional with a proven track record in fundraising or an analogous field. If your unique experience in similar roles prepares you to succeed in this position, we encourage you to share your qualifications in your cover letter.

Experiences we are considering include:

• Bachelor’s degree plus five or more years of experience in fundraising or a similar field.
• Personal track record of success in your role(s) with increasing responsibilities.
• Experience supporting external stakeholders (e.g., donors, volunteer leadership).
• Ability to create and nurture authentic relationships.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Strong organizational skills and project management acumen.

Due to the expectation that the Director will often conduct meetings outside of the office, a valid driver’s license and regular access to a car are needed. Staff are expected to work from the office or be in the community at least three days each week. Occasional evenings and weekends will be required.

Applications

Applications should include a cover letter and résumé detailing your qualifications and be sent to [email protected]