Working @ SSESH

Position Director of Development (Full Time)

Reports to: Head of School

WHO WE ARE:   The mission of St. Stephen’s Episcopal School—Houston is to nurture each child’s academic, creative, and spiritual potential.  Educating children ages 15 months-12 years using Montessori pedagogy, St. Stephen’s is committed to core values which foster individuality, service, curiosity, relationships, belief and a commitment to the future.  We are accredited by the American Montessori Society and the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools.  St. Stephen’s shares a common campus and vision with St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. The Director of Development will support the funding efforts of both the School and the Church, with the primary focus and responsibility lying with the School.   Located in the diverse neighborhood of Montrose in Houston, Texas, we are committed to the complexity of our community in all its beauty.  We currently have an enrollment of 152 students.

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and School have created a master plan for our campus which spans over a city block.  The School and Church planned a joint capital campaign to raise $8 million; the initial phase of the effort raised $5 million.  Various intervening factors, including the COVID-19 epidemic,  halted the capital campaign in 2019.  We are now ready to resume our capital development efforts. 

THE ROLE:  Under minimal supervision, the high-performing and relational Director of Development (DD) at St. Stephen’s plays a strategic leadership role in advancing the mission of the School and Church. The DD works to articulate and cultivate the philosophy of philanthropy of St. Stephen’s Church and School, grounded in our mission and core values.  The DD develops all stakeholders including the Board of Trustees, Vestry, staff and faculty, parents, alumni, students, and parish to embody this culture of giving. The DD is a key strategic partner to the Head of School, and Board of Trustees – as well as to the Rector, Endowment Board and Vestry – in all aspects of development, including fundraising—Annual Fund, Capital Campaign and planned giving; donor cultivation, and stewardship. The DD is a member of the Administrative Leadership Team, working collaboratively to further our mission. The DD will share administrative support.  In addition, the DD attends Board of Trustee meetings when invited and is the primary staff member supporting the Development Committee of the Board of Trustees and the Stewardship Committee and Endowment Board of St. Stephen’s Church.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement both short and long-term advancement plans to meet established goals and objectives of St. Stephen’s Church and School;
• Serve on the Administrative Leadership Team which oversees day-to-day operations of the School and sets strategic goals and planning for the School;
• Support the philanthropic work of the Board of Trustees;
• Working with an outside consultant, design and execute a capital campaign to complete Phase 1 of the Master Plan;
• Research and write grants to support capital and programmatic needs of the School;
• Set, and achieve, in close collaboration with the Head of School and Board of Directors, the Annual Fund goals and comprehensive advancement plan;
• Build a culture of philanthropy at the School to increase alumni and parental support and involvement in the institution;
• Identify and recruit a pipeline of volunteers for leadership positions related to fundraising efforts (PTO committees, room parents, annual fund chairs, board members, parishioners);
• In conjunction with the Head of School, set fundraising goals for which the department is responsible;
• Maintain database of donors;
• Oversee the maintenance of records of contributions and grants and preparation of gift acknowledgement letters to be sent to donors in a timely manner;
• Pull queries and reports from development database as needed for mailings and reporting;
• Participate in budgeting process;
• Working with the Director of Communications, create coordinated publications, social media and website material to ensure that all materials reflect the culture, mission, and strategic initiatives of the School;
• Collaborate with the Admissions staff on communication materials and marketing strategy;
• Collaborate with the Head of School and counsel on any necessary crisis communications and other work;
• Lead the committee of the Endowment Board of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in the creation and execution of a planned giving Legacy Society and advise on best practices;
• Support the Stewardship Committee of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in the creation and execution of an annual stewardship campaign;
• Assists in the planning and execution of School events for the raising of funds and friends;
• Actively support St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and School missions;
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of School;
• Support the Church and School and its leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of five years of professional development or fundraising experience with a proven track record of consistently reaching fundraising goals;
• Bachelor of Arts degree in a related field;
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written and ability to inspire others;
• Maintains utmost confidentiality, attention to detail and commitment to excellence;
• Experience with planned giving or a willingness to learn;
• Listens empathetically;
• Experience related to structuring and managing a capital campaign;
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders;
• Familiarity with advancement best practices, preferably in an independent or parochial school setting, including fund development and alumni relations;
• Professional demeanor;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Experience working with diverse communities and an ability to demonstrate cultural sensitivity;
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office suite;
• Ability to represent St. Stephen’s in the broader community.

SALARY/BENEFITS

St. Stephen’s is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding employees through competitive compensation and benefits.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The application should include:

• A cover letter explaining your interest in St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and School;
• An updated resume;
• A writing sample, this may include an article for a school publication or whatever demonstrates your skills and expertise;
• Three current references.

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School will conduct a thorough background check and a review of each candidate’s social media presence prior to finalizing any offer.

Please send your materials to Nahla Nasser, Interim Head of School, at nnasser@ssesh.org.  The deadline for responses is July 9.  If you have questions, contact Ms. Nasser at 713-821-9100.

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School does not discriminate in its employment decisions or practices on the basis of gender, age, race, color, marital status, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation or any disability that can be reasonably accommodated in the administration of its educational policies and school-administered programs.