Overview: Center for Powerful Public Schools is a successful and growing educational non-profit organization that provides leadership for school reform in Southern California by building the capacity of educators to create and sustain powerful public schools that prepare every student for college, career, and life. The Center is the first regional California Linked Learning Center and is responsible for implementing Linked Learning at high schools throughout Los Angeles Unified School District and LA County. The Center has taken the lead in implementing key reforms that honor teacher leadership and collaboration and local control of public schools. We believe that powerful public schools are essential to an equitable society, economy and democracy.
Scope of Work: Center for Powerful Public Schools Director of Strategic Development and Communication is responsible for the overall fundraising, partnership development and communications including developing, applying for and administering grants, conducting donor development and fundraising and developing and implementing communication and partnership strategies. This full-time position reports to the Executive Director and is part of the senior management team.
Major Responsibilities: As part of its business plan implementation, the Director of Strategic Development and Communication supports the growth of the Center’s services. The Director will help to devise, develop and deliver a comprehensive strategic and tactical plan for fund development, income generation and raising awareness for the Center. The Director will also help to raise the Center’s media profile in Los Angeles by defining and managing new and innovative strategies for communicating the Center’s image.
Fundraising (60%)
Secure financial support from foundations, corporations and individuals by developing, executing and managing a comprehensive fundraising strategy.
Be responsible for communicating this strategy to staff and board members.
Research into relationships that should be developed and manage effective relationships with existing and new key corporate partners, NGOs, government, media and funders.
Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with foundation and corporate prospects as well as cultivate, solicit and steward individual donors in collaboration with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors.
Write foundation, corporate and government grants and grant reports and develop and write annual giving campaigns and individual donor appeals.
Manage donor data entry and gift processing.
Along with Executive Director maintain overall responsibility and accountability for ensuring the Center’s grant outcomes are achieved and reported.
Communication (35%)
Review current communication tools and re-work the communication strategy in line with key business plan principles.
Develop and implement a communication and branding strategy to support the organization’s programmatic and fundraising initiatives, including media outreach, website, social media and publications.
Supervise the Center’s website, write and publish monthly email updates and annual report.
Develop public relations strategies and draft press releases to send to various media outlets.
Carry out presentations and pitches to clients at meetings and dedicated events.
Ensure that development and communications projects are managed cost effectively and to a high quality, meeting the needs of our clients and the strategic focus of the Center.
Infrastructure (5%)
Assist Executive Director in managing Center Board of Directors, Advisory Board and Industry Advisory Council; effectively support all board relations including recruitment, committee assignments, and development.
Take on additional assignments/special projects as determined by organizational needs, individual assets and Executive Director.
Qualifications
BA (required), relevant advanced degree (a plus)
7 + years of experience in educational or non-profit fundraising, with demonstrated success in cultivating and soliciting foundation and corporate grants and individual gifts
A track record as an experienced communicator with excellent written and oral communication skills, adept at writing foundation, corporate and government grant proposals, solicitation letters and effective online, print and personal communications with exceptional attention to detail
Experience in brand execution, media relations and PR, and online communication
Familiarity with education reform in Los Angeles, California and nationally
Computer skills and proficient use of Office software including Excel, MS Word, experience with social media and fundraising management software
Key Competencies, Skills and Attributes
Commitment to equity, access and choice for all individuals
Strong communicator, listens actively and responds clearly and appropriately, orally and in writing
Professional and growth-oriented, seeks to improve and develop professional expertise
Flexible problem solver, able to prioritize multiple scenarios and needs
Self-starter, sets goals, generates plans and takes action based on intended outcomes
Honest, ethical and trustworthy
Exceptional interpersonal skills, demonstrates teamwork and collaboration
Cultural awareness and sensitivity, able to work with diverse teams and individuals with confidence, respect and empathy
Effective work and time management skills
How to apply
Email resume and three writing samples (at least one grant-related) to jfauci@powerfuled.org