Director of Institutional Advancement in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at Pennsylvania School For The Deaf

Employment Information: Full time, 12-month non-bargaining unit position

Position Scope:

The Director of Institutional Advancement is responsible for aligning fundraising, communications, alumni engagement, community partnerships, and institutional visibility with the school's mission and strategic priorities. Serves as a bridge between the school's educational mission and its external stakeholders, ensuring that the stories, achievements, and impact of PSD are effectively shared with alumni, donors, families, community partners, and the broader public. Through a deep understanding of Deaf Education, Deaf culture, and the PSD community, this position cultivates meaningful relationships that support the school's long-term sustainability and success. Works closely with the Head of School, Board, leadership team, alumni, families, donors, and community partners to strengthen engagement, advance strategic initiatives, and support PSD's mission.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement the Institutional Advancement Strategic Plan in alignment with PSD's mission and strategic priorities.
• Provide leadership and oversight for fundraising, donor relations, alumni engagement, communications, marketing, community partnerships, and stakeholder engagement.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with donors, alumni, board, families, foundations, corporations, community organizations, and other key stakeholders.
• Lead fundraising initiatives, including annual giving, major gifts, grants, corporate partnerships, special events, and future campaign efforts.
• Oversee donor stewardship, recognition, and engagement strategies to strengthen long-term support and retention.
• Establish advancement goals, performance metrics, reporting systems, and data management practices.
• Provide oversight of branding, marketing, communications, publications, digital media, and institutional storytelling.
• Strengthen alumni engagement, volunteer participation, and community partnerships.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for PSD within the Deaf community and broader community.
• Support Institutional Advancement Committee activities and Board fundraising efforts.
• Supervise Institutional Advancement staff, departmental operations, budgets, and resources.
• Ensure compliance with fundraising regulations, ethical standards, and organizational policies.
• Demonstrate professionalism and uphold PSD's mission, values, and culture.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of Deaf Education, Deaf culture, and the unique needs of deaf and hard of hearing students and families.
• Strong commitment to the mission, vision, and values of Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.
• Bachelor's degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Business Administration, Communications, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum five years of progressively responsible leadership, supervisory, administrative, or program management experience, preferably within educational, nonprofit, or mission-driven organizations.
• Demonstrated success building relationships and collaborating with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong communication, organizational, and project management skills.
• Willingness to learn and use ASL at an appropriate level if not already proficient.
• Experience in fundraising, communications, marketing, community engagement, enrollment management, or nonprofit leadership preferred but not required.

Physical Demands:

• Willingness to travel within the state and occasionally overnight.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for events, meetings, and community engagement activities.
• Sitting, standing, walking, frequent bending, crouching, reaching, and stooping.
• Lifting and moving of lighter objects such as boxes, materials, displays, and event supplies.
• Works in a dynamic environment with multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholder groups.
• Manual dexterity skills for using office equipment.
• Ability to read and attend to computer screens for extended periods of time.