Development and Communications Manager

Organization Overview

The Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA) is a dynamic and growth-oriented organization that believes that for children to fully actualize their abilities, they require strong academic and personal development programs provided by skilled educators, administrators, and professionals. As such, IEA employs diverse educational strategies to fulfill the needs of each individual child. As one of the nation’s leading organizations for gifted and talented youth, we are committed to the whole child, inspiring students to grow and find balance among all five aspects of self: intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, and physical. 

At IEA, our Whole Child approach emphasizes each child’s potential as a whole person. We address social and emotional needs through programs that enhance skills related to problem solving, risk-taking, interpersonal relations, and self-esteem. These are skills that highly gifted young people often do not have the opportunity to fully actualize in traditional environments that focus solely on academic achievement. To that end, IEA balances the need for academic success with other enrichment opportunities that support children’s ability to thrive across all aspects of life and grow into their best and most realized selves.

IEA actualizes this mission through a variety of programs including Academy enrichment courses, the Caroline D Bradley Scholarship, EXPLORE externships, and Yunasa summer camps.  Learn more about IEA at: http://educationaladvancement.org/

Position Summary

Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA) is seeking a Director of Development and Communications to work in partnership with the President, Executive Team and Board members to diversify and grow funding for IEA and its programs.  Overseeing the creation and implementation of a strategic fundraising plan, the Director will be responsible for supporting and coordinating multiple fundraising efforts and events, and communicating with individual donors, foundation program officers and other funders.  This is a fantastic opportunity for a mission-driven professional to utilize exceptional relationship-building and communications skills to advance the work of a growing organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the President and Board of Directors in creating and implementing an organization-wide development and marketing strategy and growth plan with a focus on diversifying sustainable funding sources
• Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward individual, corporate and foundation partners
• Develop an integrated communications program that includes comprehensive messaging across all print, web and outreach materials
• Lead all public relations efforts, including proactively seeking online and traditional media exposure, serving as a point person on all inbound communications requests, writing press releases, and assisting with preparation of talking points, speeches, and presentations.
• Expand individual donor program through a variety of mediums
• Manage event planning in partnership with staff, Board and external consultants, working to plan fundraising events, including one large annual event and smaller cultivation events throughout the year
• Support the creation of new grant proposals while overseeing existing grantor correspondence, including the donor acknowledgement process
• Support the identification of fundraising & solicitation training resources for board members, staff and volunteers as needed
• Oversee donor database, ensuring accurate records and donor information
• Actively participate in organizational planning with Executive Team

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of fundraising and communications experience in the nonprofit sector, with a strong track record managing fundraising activities to successfully meet targets and deadlines
• Experience working in education-based nonprofit organizations preferred
• Experience supporting donor relationships, including experience in preparing proposals, reports, and presentations
• Strong interpersonal skills and excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Exceptional organization and project management skills, with the ability to plan effectively, meet all deadlines, and coordinate others’ involvement within a dynamic and fast-paced setting
• Proficiency in crafting compelling external messaging for a diversity of audiences
• Flexible approach, with the ability to be successful in both independent and collaborative efforts within a highly collaborative organization
• Thrive in a culture that is dynamic, mission-driven and child-centric, on a team that values results, flexibility, and humility; embody and act as a steward for IEA’s mission in interactions with both internal and external stakeholders
• Bachelor’s Degree required

To Apply 

Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity, both in Word format, addressed to Zadra Rose Ibanez at http://commongoodcareers.force.com/careers/ts2__Register?jobId=a0K1600000kPVNs&tSource=

 Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

IEA offers a competitive salary and benefits, commensurate with experience and skills. 

IEA is an equal opportunity employer.

About Commongood Careers

IEA has partnered with Commongood Careers to conduct the search for a Director of Development and Communications. Commongood Careers is a mission-driven search firm that supports the hiring needs of high-impact nonprofits. With an approach that leverages robust talent networks, recruitment and search management expertise, and a deep understanding of our clients’ missions and cultures, we help organizations secure the talent they need to create greater social impact. Since our founding in 2005, Commongood Careers has led more than 700 searches at 275 organizations in 33 states, making us one of the most experienced and dedicated nonprofit search firms in the country. Learn more about nonprofit job opportunities at Commongood Careers.