Director of Development, Philadelphia School Partnership

Posted by on January 02, 2012

Director of Development, Philadelphia School Partnership

Posted on: December 14, 2011

Position

Join a fast-growing, mission-driven education nonprofit and lead our effort to pool $100 million from private donors, foundations and corporate foundations to power a growth fund for great schools in the city of Philadelphia. Most of our funders already are active donors to K-12 urban education but want to see their philanthropy yield results on a bigger scale. Some have invested in charter schools, others in parochial schools, still others in the traditional public-school sector. PSP is creating a “Great Schools Fund” that will invest in the creation, expansion and sustainability of great schools in all of these sectors. Our belief is that serving the educational needs of our city’s 200,000+ K-12 students requires great schools from a diverse array of providers.

You will work closely with the executive director and the manager of communications to attract contributions of $100,000 to $10 million. The role requires an experienced fund-raiser who can speak with command and assurance about the challenges of urban education reform. Also a savvy writer with experience writing foundation grant proposals and marshaling data to support proposals. You will be responsible for the organization’s development strategy and also its implementation. You will meet regularly with prospective and committed funders. Develop presentations. Write and edit grant proposals. Build out and maintain a funder database. Plan school tours and information-driven fund-raising events. Keep funders apprised of the progress and results stemming from their contributions.

We are a small team driven by our commitment to improving urban education and an unwillingness to accept excuses for failure. We set big goals and pursue them urgently. Only a year old, we have had a productive first year, making $3 million in grants to support seven schools. This position is available immediately. It reports to the executive director. Salary commensurate with experience, along with a bonus opportunity and excellent benefits. A modest relo package may also be doable.

The Organization

The Philadelphia School Partnership was created to accelerate the pace of education reform in Philadelphia by increasing the number of great school options available to children in our city. We raise philanthropic funds and invest those funds in school operators and people that have the ability to create and maintain great schools across Philadelphia. We also activate parents to demand great schools in their communities and facilitate the sharing of best practices among school leaders. The Philadelphia School Partnership understands that upgrading the quality of urban schools is a challenge that all city stakeholders must take on together. That’s why we work with government officials, business leaders, education leaders and practitioners, and community groups to pursue our goals.

Qualifications:

–Demonstrated record of leadership

–Knowledgeable and passionate about K-12 education reform

–Minimum three years of nonprofit or education development experience

–Must have experience raising large gifts ($100,000+ and/or $1 million+)

–Outstanding oral and written communications skills

–Facile with Powerpoint, making charts and parsing data

–Experience using Salesforce or other client/donor relationship management tools

Benefits:

Medical, dental, life, disability, bonus opportunity and 403b plan with employer contribution

Salary:

Commensurate with Experience

How to apply

E-mail resume and cover note to Harlan Rosen: hrosen@philaschool.org