Academy Prep Center of Tampa (APT) is a non-profit private middle school whose mission is to inspire and empower economically disadvantaged students to be future community leaders through a rigorous middle school program coupled with ongoing graduate support. All students attend on full tuition scholarships provided by the generous support of individuals, foundations and corporations throughout the community.

Academy Prep Center of Tampa operates on an annual budget of $1.5M. More than half of the budget is obtained through individual gifts, special events, grants and corporate contributions. To meet this challenge, Academy Prep seeks an accomplished Senior Director of Development (SDD) who brings strategic focus, leadership and urgency in securing charitable contributions that support the school’s mission and vision. The SDD will foster a culture of philanthropy and create a donor-centered organization that nurtures loyalty through a comprehensive relationship building program including cultivation, solicitation and communications.

Job Summary:

The SDD is a strategic member of the senior management team and is responsible for all fund raising efforts including annual campaigns, major gifts, planned giving, corporate and foundation grants, sponsorships, stewardship programs, and capital and endowment campaign planning and implementation.

Academy Prep seeks a highly accomplished leader who embraces the extraordinary vision of the school and is motivated to meet the high expectations that accompany this position.

Scope and Responsibilities:

•  Represent APT to donors and prospects.
  
•  Ensure that development activities are carried out in keeping with the organization’s values, mission, vision and plans
  
•  Identify, evaluate, cultivate and solicit major gifts to support APT’s mission and goals.
  
•  Play a leadership role in capital /endowment campaign planning and implementation, strategy development, and fundraising management.
  
•  Support and maximize the involvement and contribution of members of the Board of Trustees.
  
•  Serve as staff liaison to the Development and Marketing committees of the Board.
  
•  Improve the infrastructure of the Development Department.
  
•  Ensure accountability and compliance for donors and funding sources.
  
•  Assist board members, staff and other fundraising volunteers in identifying, cultivating and soliciting charitable gifts.
  
•  Guide the fundraising process with a focus on imparting best practices in all areas of the development operations.
  
•  Maximize the potential of the donor data base, which includes developing procedures for data management, developing contact strategies for prospective donors, and ensuring the proper response to donors.
  
•  Extend the use of technology for donations, including online giving, email solicitations, and best use of social networking for financial development.
  
•  Lead and/or participate in creating, planning and coordinating major gift cultivation events, activities, stewardship and meetings.
  
•  Direct the development and writing of foundation, corporate and individual solicitation materials.
  
•  Effectively communicate financial development information to all stakeholders.
  
•  Ensure attainment of the fund development goals through the selection, training, motivation and evaluation of development staff.

Requirements:

The ideal candidate will have 10 years of progressively responsible and effective financial development experience leading successful annual, major gift and capital/ endowment campaigns. Experience could include work with an academic, cultural, medical or social service not-for-profit organization, with proven success delivering compelling and sustained results. Bachelor’s degree required; Masters degree is preferred.

The specific professional and personal competencies include the following:

•  A deep understanding of fundraising techniques, communications, and donor and volunteer motivations is a must. Experience should include face-to-face solicitations, capital and endowment campaign management, proposal writing, board management and development, and special events.
  
•  The SDD must be a fiscally savvy individual who understands the complexity of donor-centered fundraising and will need to display the skills necessary to interconnect development efforts within the operating infrastructure of APT.
  
•  The successful candidate must be strategic and able to create a plan of action for development that balances the long and short term needs and capabilities of APT. The ability to think broadly regarding the strengths, opportunities and challenges relative to setting realistic goals and the action plan to achieve them is essential.
  
•  The SDD must be as a positive and energetic leader whom others turn to in getting things done and lead by example through personal effort and initiative.
  
•  The successful candidate will have well-developed oral and written communication skills and will also be a strategic listener. This individual will be accomplished at making a compelling case that is credible, effective and relevant to donors.
  
•  The SDD will have a track record of embracing a collaborative work style that encourages partnership. Key to this will be an ability to build and manage dynamic internal and external relationships with a broad constituency including executive leadership, the board, staff and the philanthropic community.
  

If you have this level of expertise, please send your resume to:

David Hull - Email