Director of Development

Director of Development

School Address: Elementary School: 724 Foster Street Durham NC 27701 

     Middle School: 121 Hunt Street Durham NC 27701

School Website:  www.cpscnc.org

Pay Range:          Competitive based on years of experience $90,000-$110,000

Job Type:             Full time, 12 months 

Start Date:           As soon as the ideal candidate is selected

Contact Name and Email:  Devsearch@cpsc.org

Mission: All Children Thrive in a community rooted in justice and equity 

Who we are and where we’re going

The Foundation of Central Park School for Children (CPSC), in partnership with the CPSC Board of Trustees, seeks to build philanthropic support from community members, parents, alumni parents, friends, foundations, and other organizations to advance the outrageous ambitions, visionary child-centered goals, and insurgent mission of Central Park School for Children. Our Director of Development will have a deep passion for that mission and the skills and experience to build the relationships and resources necessary to achieve them.

Central Park School for Children is a North Carolina Public School that takes a child-centered, project-based approach to learning and exists to activate each child’s curiosity, imagination, kindness, generosity, and empathy to explore the world. Our learning explorations honor the whole child while simultaneously deepening their respect and understanding of our community’s and world’s diversity. Once inside, you feel how each child’s spirit and passion is connected to create a vibrant, nurturing community whose primary responsibility is to inspire generations of problem-solvers with the critical thinking, bravery, and joy to create a more just and fair world.  

CPSC is purchasing a historic, 90-year-old former elementary school building across Old North Durham Park to unify our Elementary and Middle School campuses on one downtown block. This will allow us to realize the vision in our 2002 state charter for a Teacher Learning Center that shares our child-centered goals in curriculum, pedagogy, and learning methods via training for educators throughout North Carolina and beyond. 

We are seeking a Director of Development who will champion our vision, lead our Foundation, and partner with our entire CPSC community in the continued creation and growth of Central Park School for Children, where All Children Thrive.  

The Development Director’s general responsibilities

The ideal candidate will have a passion to join our community and the experience and skills to envision and execute a plan to accomplish our goals. Responsibilities will include: 

Creating a CPSC Development Office as part of the CPSC Foundation Cultivating and managing a portfolio of top alumni, parent, business and foundation donors and prospects capable of giving at the major and principal gift levels.

Supporting the Executive Director, Foundation Chair and volunteer leaders in managing their portfolios of top donors.  Leading the creation of a strategy and plans that will ensure a successful capital campaign as well as ongoing Annual Fund, major gifts, and planned giving programs.   Ensuring effective management of an accurate and effective prospect and donor database  Working with the communications team and the Executive Director to keep the greater school community updated through the annual report, website, social media, email, newsletters, direct mail, and other communication mediums regarding the school’s programs, activities, and resource needs. Serving as a passionate and informed advocate for the school, able to communicate its message clearly one-on-one and to large groups, in the spoken and written form. Planning and scheduling Foundation Board meetings in conjunction with the Foundation Chairperson. Working with Foundation Board members to cultivate new board members and engage them in CPSC. Overseeing expenditures of Foundation funds and monitoring conformity with donor and grant requirements.

Capital Campaign-Specific Responsibilities

Provide leadership for the overall campaign including planning, management, execution and coordination.  Facilitate the process to determine campaign goals and set plans, in collaboration with campaign counsel. Work with the Executive Director, the Foundation Chairman, boards and campaign counsel to identify and train campaign leadership volunteers.   Serve as liaison to campaign leadership and other campaign volunteers; prepare updates and reports for campaign boards and existing school boards.   Collaborate with school leadership and campaign counsel in the creation of the campaign's formal identity and theme, working closely with communications staff to ensure that the campaign is communicated effectively both internally and externally, including the campaign website and print materials. Supervise the staff responsible for gift processing and finance to ensure proper recording, allocation, documentation, acknowledgement, stewardship, and analysis of campaign gifts and pledges.

Education and Preferred Qualifications 

Bachelor’s degree required (graduate degree preferred) with seven or more years of progressive leadership experience in a fundraising program Personal experience with the school or a similar institution a plus Demonstrated  passion for the belief that our children’s education is the cornerstone of democracy and a healthy society, and that building a healthy, equitable, and thriving Durham is vital to our vision. A tenacious fundraiser with a track record of high-level, high-return fundraising results  Proven history of managing capital or comprehensive campaigns of at least $10 million Experience leading organizational and operational change in inclusive community institutions Experience with Neon fundraising and financial software or similar databases. Seasoned, team- and goal-oriented leader experienced in creating and supervising effective teams where staff enjoy working, contributing and reaching organizational goals; knows how to create and nurture healthy work environments that inspire creativity and commitment; can analyze staffing needs and performance and make changes when required Excellent written and oral communication and networking skills with the ability to engage, inspire and educate in personal meetings, group settings and in the written form Exceptional planning and execution skills with a results-oriented record of achievement; the ability to set goals, meet deadlines and evaluate results

CPSC is an Equal Opportunity Employer

CPSC is an equal opportunity employer, and the school is committed to providing a workplace that reflects the racial, gender, and cultural diversity of our county and the children we serve. We are dedicated to equal opportunity.
Therefore, our programs, activities, and practices shall be free from unlawful discrimination.  And, CPCS provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, age (40 years or older), sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, disability status, ethnic group identification, genetic information, protected veteran status, military obligations, pregnancy, marital or parental status, political affiliation, work-related injury, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws or on the basis of a person’s association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. 

How to apply

Email a cover letter, a resume or curriculum vitae, and reference letter to Devsearch@cpsfc.org.
After  review and selection, qualified applicants will be invited to participate in an interview and potential follow-up invitation to tour and interview on campus.
Deadline: We will accept applications until we find just the right candidate