Director of Advancement

The Director of Advancement at Codman Academy reports to the Chief of Staff and supervises the Advancement Associate and departmental interns. This full-time, exempt position is located in Codman Square, Dorchester, MA (on-site).

About the Role

The Director of Advancement leads Codman Academy's fundraising, communications, and external-relations strategy, partnering closely with the Head of School and the Codman Academy Foundation Board to grow philanthropic support for the school's mission.

Responsibilities

• Manage a personal portfolio of approximately 75–100 major donors and prospects, moving each through a deliberate cycle of identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

• Support the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts of the Head of School through coordination of portfolios, prospect strategies, briefing materials, follow-up communications, and donor engagement planning.

• Develop personalized engagement and stewardship strategies that deepen existing relationships and secure new major gifts.

• Design and lead the annual giving program, including appeals, donor renewal, and upgrade strategies.

• Advance Codman’s institutional fundraising efforts, cultivating and managing relationships with foundations, corporations, government officials, and key stakeholders.

• Research and pursue foundation and government funding aligned with organizational priorities, managing the full grant lifecycle from prospecting to reporting and stewardship.

• Identify, research, and cultivate new corporate prospects for annual giving, restricted programs, and Gala sponsorship; submit proposals, implement benefits, and maintain ongoing relationships.

• Oversee the grants calendar and coordinate with program and finance staff on deliverables and budgets.

• Direct the school's annual gala and other signature fundraising events — from concept through execution and follow-up — including the solicitation of sponsorships.

• Direct all external communications and marketing, including digital and social media, website, print collateral, newsletters, and the annual report.

• Serve as a lead on crisis communications and reputation management, coordinating messaging with school leadership.

• Identify and pursue marketing, media, and publicity opportunities that build the school's visibility and support.

• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Codman Academy Foundation Board, supporting its meetings, committees, and fundraising engagement.

• Provide strategic counsel to the Head of School on external partnerships and organizational priorities as a member of the senior leadership team.

• Supervise, coach, and evaluate the Development Associate and departmental interns, setting goals and ensuring accountability, providing guidance on grant applications and reporting, prospect research and management, reporting, data integrity, gift processing, acknowledgments, and events.

• Oversee development operations, including the donor CRM/database, and establish systems, processes, and workflows that support fundraising success.

• Manage the advancement budget and track progress toward fundraising goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or CFRE credential a plus.
• 5–7 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, with a demonstrated record of personally soliciting and closing six-figure gifts.
• Demonstrated success building and leading a comprehensive philanthropy program spanning annual giving, major giving, institutional giving, and events.
• Experience partnering with boards, executive leadership, and volunteers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of audiences.
• Proficiency with donor CRM/database systems and development reporting.
• Experience with Boston/Massachusetts funders and family-based educational or social organizations preferred.
• Deep commitment to Codman Academy's mission and to the students and families of Dorchester.