Director of Advancement and External Affairs

Congressional Schools seeks a Director of Advancement and External Affairs to start in summer of 2026. The Director of Advancement and External Affairs reports to the Head of School and serves as a key member of the School's Leadership Team. They will be expected to provide meaningful input on a full range of issues facing the school, so a contemporary and comprehensive knowledge of independent school education and Preschool-12 education is much desired. The Director of Advancement and External Affairs will define a vision for advancement, parent and alumni relations, and implement the necessary infrastructure that strengthens a culture of philanthropy; supports the school's strategic priorities; attracts new sources of funding; promotes the involvement of parents, alumni and friends; and raises the visibility of Congressional School. Along with the Head of School, the Director of Advancement and External Affairs serves as the chief development officer and strategic advancement leader for Congressional, provides advice to the Head of School regarding fundraising priorities, and leads the advancement team. In addition to formal duties, the successful director of advancement and external affairs must be an integral member of the school community and take an active interest in the social and community-building activities of the school.  ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESDevelops the annual advancement plan, providing counsel and working in concert with the Head of School and current Strategic PlanDevelops a culture of philanthropy at the School, fostering good will with constituents at every level, cultivates connections with the School community, and develops new relations with those outside the SchoolWorks in concert with the Head of School in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting a portfolio of major donors, including donors making planned gifts to the SchoolDevises and manages a fundraising program to attract maximum gift support through an annual fund, planned giving, corporate and foundation grants, and endowment givingDevelops, implements and manages the annual giving programDevelops and maintains strategic partnerships with key business, community, academic and philanthropic organizationsIdentifies opportunities to increase the visibility of Congressional School among AISGW, VAIS and NAIS schools, and build the School's reputation and presence as a mission-driven, engaged, strong community player and employerDevelops, implements and manages a strong alumni base with a goal toward increasing fundraising initiativesWorks in concert with the Head of School to develop and manage a major gifts program, and partners with Head of School in cultivating and soliciting major giftsDesigns, organizes, manages, and implements all capital and endowment campaignsIdentifies and solicits corporate and foundation grantsServes as a member of the School's Leadership TeamDevelops an annual budget that is directly linked to the priorities of the department and the institution and works with the CFO/COO to ensure prudent budget expensesSupervises, sets direction and supports goals for the Advancement team  (consisting of the Advancement Accociate) in order to maximize their individual talents and encourage professional growthAssists the Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications with the planning and implementation of the School's long-range marketing planWorks closely with the Congressional School Parent Organization (CSPO)Maintains a regular presence in the School communityPerforms other initiatives, special programs and duties as assigned by the Head of School QUALIFICATIONSBachelor's degree, preferably in a related fieldFive or more years of experience in development, preferably in an independent schoolEase in working with donors, parents, board members, community members and other stakeholders and can work independentlyBroad and deep knowledge of fundraising, communications, and marketing, and the ways in which these three functional areas must integrate seamlessly in order to form a successful, comprehensive advancement effortPrevious experience with Blackbaud's Raiser's Edge; proficiency in basic data management systems, and basic computer applications; willingness and ability to learn additional applications as neededProven track record in all key advancement areas Experience with grants/grant writing Knowledge of current best practices in development and external affairsStrong oral and written communication skills, with a high capacity for accuracy, attention to detail, and analysisExcellent judgment and ability to work in a changing environmentOutstanding relationship building and collaboration skills to work with a diverse constituency.Strong results-orientation and highly collaborative styleManagement skills that allow one to oversee, motivate, and delegate effectively to a team while retaining ultimate responsibility for the activities of the departmentAn ability to work in a joyful, collegial and collaborative environment A sense of humor, warm personality, and growth-mindset