Director of Development

Gould Academy is a highly respected, small, co-educational, independent boarding school of 200+ students in grades Eight through Post Graduate. As the Academy enters its next exciting phase of growth, it seeks an inclusive, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as Director of Developmemt (DOD). This newly-crafted position reports directly to the Head of School (HOS) and offers the successful candidate and his/her family an extraordinary opportunity to build and lead the Academy's Advancement program while benefiting from Gould's stellar academic and cultural programs and pristine outdoor environs.


Located in Bethel, Maine, dubbed “Maine's most beautiful mountain village,” Gould is 40 miles from North Conway, NH; 70 miles from Portland, ME; and 175 miles from Boston, MA. With some of the best skiing on the East Coast only five miles away at Sunday River, the White Mountain National Forest literally in its back yard, Grafton Notch State Park only 15 miles away, and Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge and the Rangeley Lakes District just 29 miles from campus, Gould offers employees and their families abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation and enjoyment. Employees also receive a 90% tuition reduction, among other benefits, and for this position, a stand-alone, on-campus house.


Gould hired its current Head of School, Tao Smith, in 2020. He is the Academy's first alumni Head of School and has been energetically connecting with and engaging members of the Gould alumni community. The Academy's Board is about to begin a strategic planning process, and the DOD will be an integral part of the senior team that helps craft the strategic vision and ensure its implementation over the next five years.

Gould is a school with strong traditions, dedicated parents and alumni, and a bright future. The DOD, along with three direct reports, will strengthen the Academy's advancement program; continue to engage key alumni, parents, and friends; address annual giving priorities; and begin planning a number of “mini-campaigns” to address current capital needs.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The DOD is the first point of contact for the Academy's fundraising, alumni relations, and parent relation functions and is a key external ambassador for the school. S/he is charged with forming and maintaining strong relationships with a broad constituency, including alumni, parents, grandparents, foundations, corporations, friends, and faculty, staff, and students. Gould alumni are passionate, dedicated, and generous, and a recent wealth screening exercise identified tremendous philanthropic potential among the school's constituents.

This position also is responsible for crafting and executing the school's fundraising plan, maintaining the involvement of alumni and parents, and advancing the mission of the school as set by the Head of School and Board of Trustees.

The position is full-time, exempt and salaried with benefits as described below.


ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Partner with and Advise the Head of School concerning:
• All matters related to fundraising, alumni relations, and parent relations;
• Sharing Gould's story;
• Developing an advancement engagement plan; and
• Managing key volunteers by serving as staff liaison for two Board of Trustees committees: Advancement and the Committee on

• Lead the Advancement Team to meet fundraising goals set by the Advancement Committee, the Head of School, and the Board of Trustees by:
• Hiring and mentoring a staff of three professionals and one support staff member;
• Devising and executing a new model in the Advancement Office;
• Creating collaborative annual plans with associated metrics;
• Maintaining a major gift portfolio of 50-100 top prospects;
• Traveling to meet key prospects, often with the Head of School;
• Executing major on and off-campus events including, Alumni Weekend, Parent and Family Weekends, and other stewardship and fundraising activities; and
• Managing and stewarding the Advancement Office
• Serve as a key member of the Academy's senior leadership team by:
• Advising the HOS with long- and short-term advancement strategies; and
• Working collaboratively with senior leadership on strategic
• Serve as a Liaison between the Advancement team and faculty, staff, and students by:
• Living on campus in Academy housing;
• Understanding Gould's educational programs by participating in on-campus community activities, taking meals in the dining hall, and attending faculty meetings, and sporting and cultural events; and
• Engaging faculty and staff with prospect proposals, donor visits and events.

Essential Qualities for this Position

• Relevant knowledge and skill in the area of Advancement
• Seeking joy and inspiring others through actions and words
• Creative, life-long learner who constantly evolves and expands her/his knowledge base
• Selfless team player who is intrinsically motivated
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills
• Tech savvy
• Responsible and trustworthy, exhibiting good judgement
• Aligns with Gould's mission and values
• Possesses strong moral values that are aligned with Gould's
• Community and student-centric
• Adheres to policies and expectations articulated in the Employee Handbook and has a strong understanding of his/her role
• Appreciation for and comfort with adolescents
• Culturally competent with an appreciation for all cultures and backgrounds

Key Professional Experience

• Bachelor's degree
• Six to 10 years of fundraising experience, with international fundraising experience a plus
• Experienced independent school development professional preferred
• Practiced, patient, and sophisticated traveler a plus
• Track record of success from prior relevant experience, especially with annual and major gift management
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with an ability to build relationships
• Successful volunteer manager with an ability to motivate and steward volunteers
• Compelling ambassador for Gould's mission by living a life of purpose, action, excellence, and compassion
• Ability to mentor and strategically identify and utilize others' talents and energies
• Possess a high degree of professionalism and discretion
• Has a sense of humor, is creativity, and able to work with different teams

Other Duties and Requirements

• Weekend and/or night work for events as stated in essential duties as required
• Possess a valid driver's license
• Successfully pass a criminal and sexual offender background check and obtain CHRC clear status from the Maine Department of Education
• Other duties as requested by the Head of School

Physical Work Environment

The following physical requirements are not exhaustive and additional job-related physical requirements may be added on an as-needed basis. Corrective devices may be used to meet physical requirements.

• Requires stamina for extensive travel (30-40% of the time)
• Expectation is for the position is to be on site and in person, but with potential for remote interaction while on business trips or out of the office for other reasons.
• Must be able to visit and move around all campus locations and off-campus or to other work sites for appropriate training and/or meetings
• Must be able to meet the physical demands of sitting for prolonged periods of time at a desk, using repetitive arm, hand and finger movements as well as fine motor skills
• Ability to work in a semi-open office setting with frequent in-person interaction and numerous interruptions
• Occasionally able to lift up to 25 lbs. while twisting and turning, stacking
• Ability to bend, stoop, push/pull and to grasp objects and paper
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this

Salary and Benefits

• Full-time and salaried
• Salary commensurate with experience
• On-Campus Housing
• Recently renovated four-bedroom home, utilities included
• All meals in the dining hall for employee and family
• 90% tuition reimbursement for grades 8-12, for applicants qualified for admission
• Health and dental insurance coverage begins of the first month following hire date
• TIAA retirement is matched up to 5% starting on day one; 100% vested in 1,000 work hours
• Four-weeks vacation, plus holidays
• Life Insurance is included up to $50,000 coverage
• Health Savings contributions, discounted season pass to Sunday River, discounts to local Inn with golf/pool/spa
• Wellness culture; annual contributions to employee wellness preferences and encouragement to participate in Mountain Day and Ski Day, academy “days off” when the community comes together outside of the classroom
• Use of the field house fitness center, including an indoor tennis court, and an outdoor skate park

Local Area

• According to the Bethel Chamber of Commerce, “Bethel is a rare blend of farming, forestry, wood product manufacturing, education and tourism. In the past decade, the community has become home to active retirees and professionals who have chosen the small lifestyle over that of the megalopolis.”
• SAD #44 is the local public school
• Public use for protected wilderness areas (Bethel is located at the foot of the White Mountains)
• Recently voted one of the best destinations to learn biking from Bicycling Magazine
• Access to fishing on the Androscoggin River
• Recent article with an overview about Bethel

Inquiries

Interested candidates should submit the following by December 15, 2021:

• Cover Letter
• CV
• Writing sample
• How would the following people describe you in at least three words each?
• Your mentor?
• Your employees?
• Your peers?
• Names and contact information for three to five professional references (they will only be contacted when candidates are finalists).

Send PDFs of the above to: Allyson Goodwin Vice President, The Rolfson Group, Inc. agoodwin@rolfsongroup.com

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