Director of Development

Description

Vistamar School, founded in 2005, is an independent college preparatory day school serving grades 9-12 in El Segundo, CA. The Vistamar experience is guided by its core values and its mission which rests on three pillars: challenging academics that engage and inspire students; an intimate atmosphere that supports students with caring relationships; and a diverse community that encourages the authentic exchange of perspectives and leads students to be comfortable crossing cultural boundaries.

Vistamar is governed by a 21-person Board of Trustees composed of current and alumni parents, alumni, educators, and members of the community  institution draws from a variety of public, charter, independent, and parochial schools from the South Bay of Los Angeles and has a diverse population of 265 students in which approximately 49 percent of students identify as people of color.

Of the 50 faculty and staff members, roughly 50 percent identify as people of color and 80% of them have advanced degrees. Vistamar has an annual budget of $11 million and provides $4.7 million in the Moderated Tuition Program supporting 44 percent of the student body. The student:teacher ratio is 9:1. Vistamar is accredited by California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Today, Vistamar has graduated 18 classes, beginning with the class of 2008. Alumni have been accepted at the nation’s best colleges and universities and are making their mark as global citizens on their campuses and in their fields.

The Director of Development will join Vistamar in the year we are enjoying our largest enrollment in seven years. Vistamar is building on the momentum generated from our 20th Anniversary celebrations last year. Founding and pioneering families, alumni and alumni families, former staffulty and trustees have rediscovered a campus that has been developed to spotlight our community connectivity. We declare that Vistamar is no longer a "new school".

We are here to stay and play an integral role in our community. The Director will have an essential role in the storytelling of Vistamar - our past, present, and future. Vistamar cherishes our community. The Director will leverage this unique moment to connect our people to our goals for institutional excellence and sustainability.

The Director of Development serves on the Leadership Team and reports to the Head of School. This person supervises the Advancement Associate and designs and manages the budgets for the department. The Director is responsible for leading the School's advancement program in partnership with the Head, development team, and members of the Board of Trustees. This position provides the vision, strategy, and tactics for community building and all fundraising efforts at the School.

To that end the Director develops and maintains consistent and productive relationships with Board members, donors, alumni, parents, and faculty & staff colleagues. This position uses data, research, and personal interactions to design meaningful giving opportunities.

The ideal candidate is an experienced development officer who understands the unique independent school industry. This person is a relational leader, a team player, and a creative, innovative problem-solver who inspires community members to participate in institutional priorities. Far beyond simply making up the difference between the price of tuition and the cost of educating each student, they positively frame fundraising as an opportunity for people to invest in their values and interests which are realized in the school's program.

The ideal candidate's experience highlights the interplay of annual giving, community galas, major gifts and capital campaigns, and grant writing. Through all of these vehicles, they cultivate a culture of philanthropy, where all community members find their place, feel acknowledged and appreciated, and come to understand that their contribution is essential and impactful.

• Designs, implements and manages all fundraising activities including annual giving, endowment and capital campaigns, special projects, and other school-related solicitations
• Manages all strategies and activities for donor cultivation, solicitation, and relations
• Maintains contact with and develops grant proposals for foundations and corporations
• Recruits and trains…