Director of the Parents Fund

Position Summary:

Director of the Parents Fund collaborates with Director of Advancement and Director of the Alumni Fund to develop and implement a strategic and comprehensive program to identify, engage, solicit and steward parents of current students, parents of alumni and grandparents. The Director recruits and manages parent volunteers and helps plan programs and events for these constituencies. The Director works collaboratively with volunteers, donors and colleagues in the Alumni & Development Office as well as other departments.

Full-time, calendar year position. Exempt, Staff Role.  Must be able to work a flexible schedule as needed, including evening/weekend hours. Frequent travel required.

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

• Develop and implement a strategic fundraising plan for the Kent Parents Fund (current parents, parents of alumni and grandparents). This includes drafting appeal letters and partnering with the Marketing and Communications office on social media, mailings and other media.         
• Develop and coordinate with the Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement on cultivation and stewardship events, both on and off campus.
• Cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of Parents Fund donors and volunteers.
• Complete 5 to 10 face-to-face meetings per month.
• Collaborate with alumni giving on strategies to increase support to the Annual Fund and other School priorities through gifts of $1,906 or more to The 1906 Club, Kent’s leadership giving society. 
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders, including faculty, staff, volunteers and alumni. 
• Support the Alumni & Development team in all initiatives including securing gifts and challenges for Kent’s annual day of giving, Gather & Give as well as other fundraising initiatives and Alumni & Development programming and events. 
• Travel as needed to meet with volunteers and potential donors.
• Other duties as assigned by the Chief Advancement Officer and the Director of Advancement.

 Qualifications:         

• Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of development experience, with a preference for a background at an independent boarding school or higher education. 
• Proven track record of successful collaboration with teammates, volunteers, donors and school leadership, including Head of School and the Alumni Council.
• Experience driving institutional change through an organization’s history via a communicative, collaborative and inclusive approach.
• Experience utilizing databases, Blackbaud NXT preferred.
• Be fluent with, and committed to, the mission of the School. 
• Ability to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the full range of experience within a development team.
• Possess a high degree of professional discretion, integrity, good judgment and high standards of professional conduct.
• Collaborate actively by soliciting and suggesting new ideas and improving upon the ideas of others.
• Superior organizational and planning skills that enable the department and School to meet both short and long-term goals. 

Additional Requirements:

• Successful completion of post-offer, pre-employment criminal background checks and drug tests.
• Work is performed on a smoke-free campus.

Additional Information:

The essential functions and basic skills have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exclusive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

Kent School is committed to making equal employment opportunities available to all qualified persons. In accordance with federal, state and local laws, we recruit, hire, promote and evaluate all personnel without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, ancestry, citizen status, veteran status, physical or mental handicaps, sexual orientation, or any other factors protected by law. Candidates from historically underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.