Director of Advancement: Southern Louisiana

Director of Advancement: Southern Louisiana

Location: Southern Louisiana

Role Mission: IDEA Public Schools is working to transform the lives of children and families in southern Louisiana by launching and operating high-quality charter schools with the mission of sending every student to and through college. The Director of Advancement - Southern Louisiana will sit on IDEA's advancement team and is responsible for working closely with the Executive Director to meet ambitious fundraising targets that will fuel growth. These goals are met through: a) major gift solicitation of foundations, individuals and corporations in the Southern Louisiana region, including grant writing and reporting, b) targeted donor acquisition and stewardship through a diverse portfolio of campaigns, events, meetings, and school tours; c) strengthening the impact and size of the local boards of directors; d) community engagement efforts including cultivation of local, state, and federal elected officials

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Accountabilities:

1. Raise $3MM* to support Southern Louisiana region by June 30, 2019

* Develop and execute yearly cultivation/stewardship goals and plans for prospects and donors in districts where IDEA schools are operating or planned

* Draft compelling grant applications, reports and other collateral

*Plan and host a variety fundraising events and activities

* Hold personalized stewardship meetings with all donors who have given to IDEA in Southern Louisiana

* Create opportunities for Southern Louisiana Executive Director to achieve future fundraising outcomes through engagement with local philanthropic community

* Leverage local influencers for connections to prospective national and state donors

2. IDEA Southern Louisiana meets its growth plan by launching 8 new charter school campuses between 2019 and 2024

* Assist Executive Director in identifying and prioritizing new charter opportunities, with an initial focus on Jefferson and Lafayette Parishes

* Identify individuals to serve on local boards of directors

* Prepare winning charter applications

* Coordinate and build relationships with local district education leaders and staff members responsible for coordinating charter activities

* Position IDEA for long-term success in the region by building and maintaining relationships with key education reform allies

3. Ensure a 100% of board members give financially; and 100% of board members experience at least one programmatic touchpoint in each parish wherein IDEA - Southern Louisiana operates

* Work with Executive Director to plan agendas and prepare board materials

* Work with board and IDEA attorneys on legal matters as required

* Create individualized annual plans for each board member that defines the goals for each in the following areas:

• Engage - the number of touchpoints that the board member has had with the IDEA program (e.g. school visits, hosting a student at work)
• Inspire - the number of meetings with external stakeholders the board member has facilitated o Invest - the dollar amount the board member has invested in IDEA - Southern Louisiana
• Advise - a goal that will be pre-determined based on the unique backgrounds of each member

4. Ensure best-in-class development infrastructure in Southern Louisiana in place

* Ensure all pledges and gifts entered into Little Green Light within 24-hours of commitment

* Send acknowledgment letters within 48-hours of donation receipt.

* Ensure all contacts and contact reports entered into Little Green Light (constituent relationship management software) at a minimum of a weekly basis

5. Host a visit with 80% of the state legislators who represent the region with support of advancement advocacy team

* Meet state representatives and senators in their offices in Southern Louisiana

* Tour state representatives and senators at IDEA schools

* Introduce state representatives and senators to IDEA leadership and alumni

* Assist in building enthusiasm and support for IDEA schools among key civic, political, and community leaders in communities where IDEA operates or plans to operate schools

6. Live values of IDEA

* Believes and is committed to our mission: that all students are capable of getting to and through college

* Is driven by meaningful outcomes and results, and wants to be held accountable for them

* Prioritizes quality learning for both students and adults

* Has a propensity for action, willing to make mistakes by doing in order to learn and improve quickly

* Thrives in an entrepreneurial, high-growth environment; is comfortable with ambiguity and change

* Seeks and responds well to upward and downward feedback, which is shared often and freely across all levels of the organization, and actively self-reflects on gaps

* Works through silos and forges strong cross-departmental relationships in order to achieve outcomes

*This number is a realistic placeholder amount; final goal-setting will be complete by the end of June 2018.

Qualifications:

* Education: Bachelor's Degree required

* Experience: two to three years of fundraising or related experience

* Experience: four to five years of professional working experience

* Experience in education (preferred)

Knowledge and Skills:

* Ability to synthesize multiple facts, data points, and stories into compelling narrative explaining IDEA's educational vision for the region to others.

* Superior writing ability and attention to detail.

* Comfort and confidence engaging with individuals from all backgrounds within the Southern Louisiana community in order to explain the IDEA story and vision.

Selection Process: After submitting your online application, IDEA will review your materials. Candidates with a track record of success who pass the initial application screening will be invited to a phone or video interview. Candidates who are successful with this second interview will move into final consideration by the hiring manager.

Application Instructions: Please select "Apply Now" in the upper-left hand corner of this page. You will then be taking to the application portal entrance. After you create a new profile, you will be able to apply directly for this role. If you have already created a profile, you may simply login to begin your application.

IDEA Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability, in admission or access to, or treatment of employment in its programs and activities. Any person having inquiries concerning the organization's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI of Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), or Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), may contact IDEA Human Resources at (956) 377-8000.