Director of Advancement

Success Academy Charter Schools; New York (NY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision coverage

403(b) retirement plan with employer

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

Success Academy Charter Schools is seeking a Director of Advancement to lead fundraising strategy, manage a small team, and expand support from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Reporting to the CAO, you will work with the founder and CEO to ensure strategy is executed with fidelity and impact across growth initiatives.

You will develop affinity groups, leverage data to optimize performance, and collaborate across departments to maximize philanthropy.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of fundraising experience, with a proven track record.
• Proven leadership and people management skills.
• Experience using data to inform fundraising strategies.
• Commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Owns day-to-day progress toward fundraising goals.
• Grows pipeline of prospective principal gift donors.
• Manages a small team and develops direct reports.
• Uses data to track performance and evaluate effectiveness.
• Develops strategy for affinity groups.
• Supports the CAO in fundraising initiatives.
• Strengthens collaboration with other departments.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

People management

Data-driven fundraising

Strategic thinking

Job description

Thanks for your interest in Success Academy! Running a large, fast-growing, and high-performing network of public charter schools takes a village - families, children, teachers, staff and faculty, advocates, and supporters alike. We are growing fast in New York and expanding to Florida, and we would love to welcome you to our community! We work tirelessly every day to ensure children have access to a fun, rigorous, whole-child education regardless of zip code or economic status. When you join SA, you play a part in giving every student who walks through our doors a fair shot at reaching his or her potential.

About the Role

The Advancement team is responsible for all aspects of retaining and building a loyal and generous community of philanthropic supporters. The group’s priorities encompass securing critical financial support to undergird growth, scaling and innovation, and capital projects; expanding SA’s network of support (financial and influencer); and deploying sophisticated branding, digital, and marketing strategies to secure a segmented donor base and position SA externally as an organization that stewards philanthropic support at the highest level.

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer and working closely with SA Founder and CEO, Eva Moskowitz, the Director is responsible for ensuring that SA’s fundraising strategy is executed with fidelity, efficiency, and success. The position is responsible for helping maintain and expand Success Academy’s diverse, strong, and growing funding base. The Director will be responsible for a portfolio of individuals, corporations, and foundations, and will work closely and seamlessly with SA’s data and operations team and the fundraising services team.

Key Responsibilities

• Owns and drives day-to-day progress toward his/her fundraising goals, grounded in industry best practices
• Grows pipeline of prospective principal gift donors
• Manages a small team – coordinates workflow, prioritizes operational efficiency, strengthens collaboration, and actively supports and develops direct reports
• Uses data as a primary tool, including tracking performance measures, monitoring results, and continuously evaluating the efficacy of the advancement program
• Develops strategy and execution plan for developing all affinity groups, including young professionals and individuals interested in planned giving
• Supports the CAO in fundraising and other development-related initiatives as needed
• Strengthens collaboration with other SA departments to maximize efficient workflow, ensure alignment, and reinforce a culture of philanthropy

Qualifications

• Experience (10+ years) as a fundraiser, with a proven track record of success in cultivating, soliciting, and securing major gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations
• A proven track record of success in leadership and people management, including:
  • Ability to set/communicate clear priorities, strategies, and long‑term vision
  • Ability to support/develop high‑performing teams and individuals
• Deep experience in using data to inform strategies and drive decision‑making in fundraising
• Strong commitment to excellence and continuous improvement while achieving results

Required Traits

• A strategic thinker with a strong focus on excellence and a change leader
• An exemplary reputation with stature and credibility
• Proven ability to influence and galvanize groups outside of reporting lines
• Flexibility and a proven ability to innovate and find creative solutions to challenges
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• A passion for driving towards SA’s mission and commitment to our families and scholars, and a firm ideological commitment to excellence in K‑12 education

At Success Academy, we invest boldly in our Network team with a comprehensive package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well‑being:

• Day‑One Health & Wellness: Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting your first day (SA covers 82% of our core medical plan), plus a free One Medical membership and confidential mental health support via EAP/Talkspace.
• Financial Security: 403(b) retirement plan with a 3% employer match, up to $2,400/year in employer HSA contributions, employer‑paid life/disability insurance, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PS