Director of Advancement

PS1 Pluralistic School · Santa Monica, CA · 2 mo ago

OTHR$160k–$190k/yrFull-time

Location: Santa Monica, California | Type: Full Time

About the Role

At PS1, we believe that impactful schools change lives and that strong communities make those impactful schools possible. Ours is a community where children are deeply known, families feel a true sense of belonging, and learning is rooted in curiosity, equity, and joy. A thriving independent school is built at the intersection of educational excellence, financial sustainability, and community connection. The Director of Advancement plays a central role in sustaining and growing that intersection, responsible for cultivating the relationships, resources, and shared sense of purpose that advance the school’s mission within the broader circle of our community of supporters.

Reporting to the Head of School and serving on the Senior Administrative Team, this role leads the school’s fundraising, alumni relations, and capital campaign efforts. The Director of Advancement stewards projects that enhance the mission of the school, describes the benefits these projects will have for our students, and secures the financial capital to bring such projects to fruition. Guided by our vision, Many voices build a better world, the Director of Advancement ensures that the school can continue to provide progressive education that sparks curious and critical thinkers, fosters socio-economic diversity, and builds a pluralistic, mission-driven community.

This role combines strategic vision, relational leadership, operational excellence, and a strong presence on campus. At PS1, advancement is storytelling. This role is about translating the magic of classrooms and community into lasting relationships and mission-aligned investment, ensuring that:

Families feel connected to something meaningful
Alumni remember and feel reconnected
Donors see the real impact of their philanthropy

This position calls for a strategic, relational leader who can hold both long-term vision and near-term execution, who understands that philanthropy is rooted in trust and shared purpose, who is interested in building relationships with children and valuing their growing voice, and who is energized by growth, change, and possibility in a pluralistic community.

Responsibilities

Advancement Strategy & Institutional Leadership

Develop and implement a comprehensive, mission-aligned advancement strategy encompassing alumni and grandparent relations, the Annual Fund, major and planned giving, and a future capital campaign
Work in collaboration with the Parents Guild and school team to plan and execute the spring fundraising Gala
Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Head of School and Board Advancement Committee, providing data-driven insights to inform philanthropic strategy and institutional priorities
Actively participate on the Senior Administrative Team, bringing an advancement lens to school-wide planning, resource allocation, and community engagement

Alumni Relations & Community Stewardship

Build and strengthen lifelong alumni relationships rooted in belonging, engagement, and shared mission
Design inclusive programming and communication that reflects the school’s values of pluralism, community, and educational excellence
Partner closely with the Director of Student & Community Life to align alumni engagement with student life initiatives and broader community-building efforts

Annual Fund & Impact Communication

Lead the Annual Fund, articulating its impact on the school’s programs, student experiences, and tuition assistance initiatives
Translate classroom and programmatic outcomes into compelling stories that inspire participation and giving
Steward donors with care through recognition events, communications, and ongoing relationship-building
Build a culture of philanthropy rooted in shared responsibility, access, and community investment
Partner with Director of Communications and Marketing to publish an annual Report on Philanthropy

Major Gifts & Planned Giving

Develop and sustain a robust major and planned giving program, identifying and cultivating donors in collaboration with the Head of School and Board volunteers
Partner with key volunteers to ensure relationship-driven fundraising and stewardship that honors donors and advances the school’s mission

Capital Campaign Leadership

Lead the planning and execution of a mission-driven capital campaign to fund the development of school-owned properties in ways that expand programming, strengthen community partnerships, and further the school’s educational mission
Clearly articulate why a capital campaign is essential for the school’s future, connecting physical spaces to student experience, equity, and long-term sustainability
Manage campaign strategy, phases, feasibility studies, donor cultivation, and public engagement, ensuring alignment with mission, values, and institutional priorities
Identify and collaborate with outside resources and consultants to further mission-aligned future development and growth of the school

Operations, Data & Systems Management

Maintain fluency with fundraising database tools, Google Drive, and other digital systems to track donor engagement, giving trends, and campaign progress
Ensure that all advancement data, reports, and materials are accurate, well-organized, and accessible to the Head of School, Board, and staff as appropriate
Oversee administrative support and coordinate tasks efficiently, balancing strategic vision with operational execution

Campus Presence & Educational Fluency

Maintain a consistent, visible presence on campus, building relationships with students, faculty, and families
Observe classrooms and student life to understand and describe what is happening in the learning environment
Translate those observations into fundraising messaging that demonstrates the tangible impact of gifts on student outcomes and the overall mission
Participate in the daily life of the school; serve on committees, attend all-school events, be playful with children and colleagues, and find joy in the life of an elementary school

Collaboration & Representation

Collaborate closely with the Director of Enrollment Strategy and Director of Communications and Marketing to align clear, compelling, and values-driven strategy, messaging, and storytelling
Serve as a visible ambassador for the school at conferences, community events, and professional gatherings
Pursue professional development in independent school advancement, philanthropy, and capital campaign best practices
Represent the school in conversations and negotiations with consultants, lawyers, vendors, and partners to strengthen the school’s position in the market and ensure the financial sustainability of its future

Our Mission, Vision & Values in Action

We seek a leader who embodies our mission to spark curious and critical thinkers who confidently contribute to their communities, and who lives our values:

Learn With Joy — honoring curiosity, questions, and learning from failure
Discover Your Full Self — cultivating empathy, responsibility, and confidence
Honor Our Lived Experiences — embracing diverse identities and perspectives
Be Part of Something Bigger — building connection, purpose, and collective impact

Pay

Salary: $160,000 - $190,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Why This Role Matters

Philanthropy makes possible what tuition alone cannot. At PS1, the Director of Development ensures that the school has the resources to invest in its people, programs, and places, expand access, and imagine its future, all while strengthening the sense of belonging that defines the community. This role is not just about raising funds. It is about cultivating belonging, activating shared purpose, and stewarding a community’s belief in progressive education. It is an opportunity to help shape not only how a school is funded, but how it is experienced by students, families, alumni, and generations to come.

Skills & Qualifications

Demonstrated success leading alumni relations, annual giving, major gifts programs, and capital campaigns, preferably in an independent school or mission-driven organization
Relational and strategic leader able to build trust with donors, Board members, parents, alumni, and colleagues
Skilled at translating classroom experiences, student outcomes, and program impact into compelling philanthropic narratives
Strong presence on campus and comfort engaging in the life of the school
Technologically proficient using data, CRM systems, fundraising databases, Google Drive, and other digital collaboration tools
Systems-oriented, able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, and execute projects with rigor and timeliness
Open to change, reflective, adaptable, and committed to ongoing learning and professional growth
Exceptional communication skills, including writing, public speaking, and donor presentations
Collaborative, consensus-building, and mission-aligned, with deep commitment to diversity, equity, and pluralism
Familiarity with — and personal alignment to — progressive education principles
Warmth, flexibility, integrity, and a sense of humor