Senior Director of Development and External Relations

Job Details

Job Location:

WASHINGTON, DC 20010

Salary Range: $ - $ Salary/year

Do you want to help create a more just and kind world? Do you believe that diversity is a powerful strength for a school community? Do you want to ensure that every student can be successful and prepared to thrive in college, career, and life?

A strategic, results-driven leader who knows how to turn vision into resources. You bring strong development and fundraising expertise, paired with the ability to craft compelling narratives that inspire engagement, trust, and investment. You understand that communications, engagement and development are interconnected - and you know how to align them into a cohesive strategy that deepens relationships, strengthens external credibility, and drives investment in our organizational priorities.

You bring an innovative approach to storytelling and positioning, ensuring the organization shows up clearly, consistently, and compellingly.

You are both a thinker and a doer - able to set direction, build relationships, and execute at a high level. You collaborate effectively with senior leaders, including close partnership with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Talent Officer (CTO) to ensure alignment between strategy, culture, and external impact. Your growth mindset guides your perspective, agency, and urgency to make a positive impact in the world around you.

Above all, you are committed to equity and driven to help build a school community where every student thrives.

A learning community where every student – of every race, socioeconomic status, home language, and ability – prepares to thrive in college, career, and life. Together, we create a more just and kind world. Founded in 2004 and named for the first African‑American woman to earn her Ph.D. in Mathematics, the award‑winning E.L. Haynes Public Charter School serves more than 1,175 students in grades Pre‑K3 through 12th grade.

E.L. Haynes operates two campuses in the Petworth neighborhood of Washington, DC.

Our mission of student success is inextricably linked with our commitment to equity and the daily efforts of every member of our community to live our motto -- Be Kind, Work Hard, and Get Smart.

• Lead For Equity:
  We challenge ourselves and each other to interrupt inequities and build equitable alternatives.
• Choose Joy:
  We find, bring, and share joy in our work every day. We practice gratitude, celebrate wins, and offer praise.
• Achieve Excellence:
  We deliver high-quality work every day. We set ambitious goals, embrace challenges, and hold ourselves and each other to high standards.
• Own Our Learning:
  We model a growth mindset for our students. We own our actions, mistakes, and learning. We continually look for ways to improve and produce high-quality work.
• Succeed Together:
  We value every member of our community and treat each other with kindness and care. We build meaningful relationships with students, families, and each other. We achieve more through collaboration and teamwork.

• A diverse and inclusive community, with nearly 70% of our staff identifying as people of color.
• The hub of the neighborhood. We are a community school and partner with neighborhood organizations to provide our families with comprehensive medical, dental, and mental health services.
• A place where all community members have their voices heard in the decision‑making process.
• A school where students learn in a rigorous and coherent PreK-12 environment.

Set and implement a strategic direction for all fundraising, communications, and advocacy activities, and play a lead role in our student recruitment and family/community engagement strategy. This 12‑month, full‑time role reports to the Chief Talent Officer, and oversees and works in partnership with an External Relations Manager, as well as a group of contractors that support graphic design, marketing and communications, and fundraising and grant writing.

You will be instrumental in visioning, designing, and executing the organization’s external relations strategy (development, engagement, and communications).

• Design…