The Opportunity
Nativity Preparatory School New Bedford is an independent, tuition-free school for boys in grades 5-8 from households of limited financial means in the New Bedford area. Nativity Prep fosters the intellectual, moral, social, and athletic growth of its students, and nurtures in a small-school setting the full potential of their character. The goal is to graduate young men who are academically prepared for further education, inspired to lead their lives with humility, and dedicated to serving others.
Nativity annually serves a diverse student body of 50-55 young men of great promise. Graduates have a proven track record of success in high school and beyond, possessing a 4-year high school graduation rate of 98% and attending over 40 different high schools and colleges to date.
As Nativity proceeds into its 23rd year of existence, with an annual budget of just over $1 million, the school seeks to build on a strong foundation and determine a pathway to sustained success for decades to come. A short-range operational plan is currently being implemented to solidify this foundation, while a long-range, comprehensive strategic planning process is also underway. With such vital, impactful, and meaningful work on the horizon, the Director of Advancement will be able to immediately play a critical role in providing a transformational educational experience for young men in New Bedford.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
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Fundraising Strategy and Leadership:
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Develop the school’s Advancement Strategic Plan annually, with a primary goal of meeting/exceeding the school’s operating budget targets and expanding the school’s resources.
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Implement the school’s strategic initiatives for advancement, as derived from the strategic plan.
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Analyze fundraising data with the Advancement Team and use the data to inform practices.
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Lead all grant-writing activities.
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Direct all fundraising programs to support the school’s operation, growth, and sustainability, such as the annual fund and any future capital and/or major gifts campaign.
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Marketing & Communications:
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Collaborate with the Advancement Team and Committee to deliver the school’s message to constituents through a variety of outreach methods, keeping up with current best practices in reaching key stakeholders and constituencies.
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Stewardship & Cultivation:
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Steward major donors and foundations, in collaboration with the Advancement Team and the Board’s Advancement & Development Committee.
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Personally manage a portfolio of major gift prospects in collaboration with the Head of School and Board of Trustees.
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Ensure timely and appropriate communication with individual donors and foundations, including the oversight of the acknowledgement process for gifts.
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Events & Engagement Opportunities:
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Collaborate with the Advancement Team and Committee in planning, preparation, management, execution, and follow-up for major fundraising and cultivation events.
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Collaborate with school leaders in efforts to provide diverse, clearly-articulated, and purposeful volunteer opportunities to benefit the school and its students.
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Design and implement a long-term plan for engagement programming for all constituents.
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Management, Teams, & Committees:
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Lead the school’s Advancement Team.
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Serve as the primary leader between the school and Board’s Development & Advancement Committee.
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Serve as the primary liaison for any ad hoc subcommittees engaging in advancement work.
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Hire, manage, lead, motivate, develop, and evaluate the Advancement Officer and Administrative Assistant, and help them successfully meet their responsibilities.
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Additional areas of responsibility:
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Support the administration in admissions efforts.
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Support/collaborate with the administration in alumni stewardship efforts.
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Support/collaborate with the Board in developing an Advisory Board.
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Attend and/or staff events as required, including on some evenings and weekends.
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Given that school environments evolve, some responsibilities are subject to change at the discretion of the Head of School.
Qualifications & Experience
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Preferred:
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At least five years of relevant and successful fundraising experience, preferably in leadership roles
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A strong commitment to the school’s mission and serving populations who have been underserved
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A commitment to working with and on behalf of youth
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An energetic, engaging, enthusiastic, and friendly personality
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Strong organizational and strategic planning skills
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A strong sense of community, duty, and work ethic
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Ability to handle multiple assignments, meet deadlines, to be a self-starter and work both collaboratively and independently without day-to-day supervision
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Excellent communication skills – verbal, written, and interpersonal – and the confidence and ability to speak publicly on behalf of the school
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Ability to build bridges and create connections among all partners who would support the mission of the school
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An up-to-date and evolving understanding of best practices in the field, and an openness to growth
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Familiarity with IRS and MA regulations as they relate to philanthropic giving and industry accounting and reporting standards
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Experience managing and developing a team
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Experience managing volunteers
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Computer skills – Google suite, Microsoft Office suite, and donor management software
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US citizenship or proper work authorization as well as a valid driver’s license
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Bachelor’s Degree required, advance degree a plus
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Beneficial:
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Ability to speak Spanish and/or Portuguese
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Experience in a school, or a similar educational setting
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Experience managing budgets
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Existing, relevant engagement in the local and/or regional community, or a similar one
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Experience working with parent and/or alumni councils
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Salary & Benefits
Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications, option for health insurance.
Application Requirements & Search Process
Candidates should submit the following in PDF form:
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A cover letter stating why they are interested in and qualified for this position, what their educational and/or leadership philosophy is, and describing any specific accomplishments in the field.
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A current resume or C.V.
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The names and contact information for 3-5 references.
Please email required materials to Jay Goldrick, Head of School (jgoldrick@nativitynb.org). Materials will be shared with the hiring committee, which includes Rich Roller, Board Chair.
Candidate applications will be evaluated in the order in which they apply. Candidates may be asked to participate in an initial phone interview. If the school wishes to proceed with their candidacy, they will participate in a formal in-person interview. Final decisions will be made within 2 weeks of the interview.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Nativity Prep New Bedford is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, and any other characteristic as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.