Job Posting – Manager, Annual Giving & Community Engagement, Advancement (Crofton House School)

Manager, Annual Giving & Community Engagement, Advancement

Full-time, Continuing Contract

At Crofton House School we recognize the power of meaningful relationships supported by an environment that promotes diversity, acceptance and trust.  

Set in a beautiful ten-acre campus in Vancouver, we offer an inclusive, supportive community of dedicated teachers and staff, committed parents, and enthusiastic students. Collaborative, student-centred, inquiry-based education and modern facilities create a unique environment where each girl can reach her full potential and each member of our team can find opportunities for learning, growing and discovering new passions.

This is an exciting time to be joining Crofton House and its Advancement Department. At the beginning of the year the School’s new strategic plan, Thriving in Possibility,  was launched.  Coinciding with the School’s 125-year anniversary, the plan contains the CHS identity, and its commitment to embrace the future with new ideas, fresh perspectives and an open mind.  Additionally, the School and the Board are currently developing an Advancement plan to support the School’s strategic priorities going forward. 

The Advancement Department continues to play a key role in building a strong sense of community while fulfilling the strategic priorities of the School. Fundraising at Crofton House is done by connecting with our community through an inclusive and donor-centered approach. Each action, initiative, and event aims to strengthen a common set of values, relationships, and to reflect the School’s culture. We see Advancement ultimately as an attitude and an ambition that drives our desire to grow and improve.

The successful candidate will have significant experience in building annual fundraising programs while creating meaningful connections across the organization. They are passionate about education and understand the particular value of an independent school education. An effective and passionate communicator, collaborative by nature, they enjoy engaging in a personal and thoughtful way with donors and members of the Crofton House School community. 

They will bring professionalism and strong stewardship skills, combined with a demonstrated ability to create opportunities for collaboration while working independently toward a long-term vision.

The School’s aspiration is to grow this position to the Assistant Director level in the near future. This role has the opportunity to participate in our flexible working hours program. 

Responsibilities:

Annual Fund 

The Manager will work collaboratively with the Director of Advancement and the Assistant Director, Alumnae Relations, in managing and implementing innovative fundraising strategies to grow the recently reintroduced Annual Fund Program, and more specifically:

• Solicit and steward donors included in the annual mailing
• Coordinate and manage projects within the Annual Fund including all the printed materials and the marketing and communications campaign in support of this initiative
• Create and manage a calendar/schedule of multidimensional appeals that leverage a variety of media
• Contribute content to Advancement publications and social media platforms as needed
• Work with Advancement, Director and  Assistant Director, Alumnae Relations to develop and implement a student philanthropy program aimed at creating class funds
• Attend on-campus and off-campus events, as appropriate
• Assess the program at the end of each year and lead annual planning
• Facilitate community involvement and support from former parents and grandparents helping them to remain connected to the school community and eventually securing philanthropic support

Golf Tournament 

The Manager holds the responsibility of overseeing the organization of the annual Golf Tournament (support, particularly in year one, provided by the director and coordinator). This widely attended fundraising event, celebrating its 25th year, has consistently generated funds to support capital campaigns (totaling $2 million), the Financial Assistance program (amounting to $1 million), and more recently, the CHS Athletics program (contributing $500,000 toward a $1 million pledge). Objectives are set in accordance with the School's Strategic Plan and are endorsed by prior Board approval.

The Manager will: 

• Recruit, train and overseas a team of Golf Committee and sub-committees (Silent and Sponsorship) volunteers to ensure:
  • Committee members are engaged, motivated and possess the necessary skills to contribute to the success of the event
  • A well-established succession plan is in place to facilitate the identification of new Committee members as needed
  • Periodically consult with Committee members on their role to see how they are doing and help them to optimize their contribution and involvement
• Guarantee the smooth execution of the tournament on the scheduled day, as well as the effective management of all post-event activities and subsequent follow-up actions. 
• Take charge of procuring, overseeing, and nurturing third-party sponsorships with the objective of achieving an annual fundraising target of at least $100,000.
• Manage the production of all sponsorship signs and the content of the Golf catalog and printed materials

Community Engagement 

Currently, the School is engaged in a review of its community partnerships which includes the role that Advancement plays in them.

.  The Manager will:

• Liaise between Advancement and the Parent Association 
• Collaborate with relevant school groups to raise awareness about the significance of Advancement and its role within the school, aiming to cultivate meaningful partnerships and collaboration
• Participate as necessary in existing community partnerships and offer strategic assistance to cultivate further meaningful collaborations with local organizations and other non-profit entities
• Take on additional responsibilities as directed by the Director of Advancement, in alignment with the evolving progress of these fundraising initiatives and the department

About Crofton House School

Crofton House School offers a girl-centred learning environment for students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. Here, students are motivated to strive for their best selves, embracing academic challenge and diverse experiences, guided by staff who know them and believe in them.

Our approach supports the whole girl in her social, emotional, physical and intellectual development. Girls are able to discover and pursue their own paths, developing the confidence and capacity to thrive and positively influence the world around them.

Established in 1898, the Crofton House has a long history of girl-centred education. Today, the School has over 900 students and almost 200 staff members learning, working and playing on our 10-acre campus in Vancouver.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Experience

Essential 

• Minimum of three years’ experience in fundraising and/or related field such as Special Events, Sponsorships, Alumni Relations, and/or Philanthropic Marketing and Communications
• Comfortable and/or interested in learning how to  conduct one-on-one “asks” 
• Experience building positive working relationships and maintaining them
• Capable of simplifying complex matters and identify priorities
• Positive team player who acts with a sense of urgency and leads by example
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work under pressure to meet deadlines
• Diplomatic and tactful with an ability to read each situation and use sound judgment
• Excellent interpersonal, and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to be innovative
• Proven ability to exercise tact, discretion and good judgment 
• Strong collaborative, honest, and open approach to working with others toward organizational strategic objectives
• Creative and innovative in seeking out possibilities, new ideas, and effectively moving them forward
• Ability to adapt to new and changing situations and challenges
• Ability to articulate the benefits of an all-girls education

Desirable

• Knowledge of Raiser's Edge
• Understanding of the ethos of independent schools 
• Readiness to participate in the diverse life of the school community
• Commitment to continued professional learning and development

Employment and Application Details: 

Employees of Crofton House School receive generous vacation (starts at three weeks + 18 paid days when the school is closed), competitive compensation, including participation in the Crofton House Registered Retirement Savings Plan (employer contribution starts at 7%), and generous support for professional, educational and leadership development. In addition, employees have access to an onsite fitness center, Employee Family and Assistance Program, transportation incentive and community dining program.  Further details can be found on our careers page.

Please note that applicants must be able to legally work in Canada and hold a valid Criminal Record Check throughout the duration of their employment.  Applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received.  

Please include the following with your application:

• A cover letter and current resume that outlines exact dates of employment, the organization, job title and responsibilities.  If you have gaps in your employment history, please advise as to why.  
• Please clearly identify your educational background and history of professional development related to this position.

Apply online at www.croftonhouse.ca/careers.   

We thank all candidates in advance. We will, however, contact only those selected for an interview. No phone calls, please.