Careers
Come work for one of the most interesting and exciting nonprofits in New York. As the premiere provider of mind-blowing professional development in New York City (and perhaps the world), the Academy has created a community of passionate, like-minded teachers from public, charter, and private schools. We're growing fast and need creative, strategic, hard-workers to take us to the next level. A great perk of the job is taking part in our intimate events with brilliant intellectuals, leading scientists, incredible artists, and inspiring teachers. Applicants must live in the metro area.
Director of Development
The Academy for Teachers brings teachers together with world-class luminaries, experts, and artists—and with each other—for inspiring master classes and special events. As the premiere provider of professional development in New York City (and perhaps the world) we have created a community of passionate, like-minded teachers from public, charter, and private schools.
We are looking for candidates for the position of director of development. This full-time position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant contribution to a fast-growing, high-potential, rather amazing organization. We have a lot of exciting assets to work with, and are open to people of diverse experiences that meet the minimum requirements.
The job is currently fully remote, with occasional in-person, evening, and weekend responsibilities. We’re looking for a dynamic professional who enjoys working independently in a changing entrepreneurial environment and for a creative and mission-driven organization committed to providing exceptional programs for teachers.
The director of development works closely with the president to design and execute the organization's fundraising strategies so that the Academy meets its ambitious goals relating to donor engagement, major gifts, foundation and corporate grants, our Private Schools for Public Education Partnership, annual appeal, cultivation salons, and our annual gala, Show Teachers the Love! The director of development (DOD) will expand and diversify the Academy's donor base, stewarding prospects to become donors, board members, and mission ambassadors.
The ideal candidate is smart, positive, poised, and fun, with solid experience in fundraising, event planning, staff management, and a proven track record for building strong processes and systems - always with an eye to excellence and joy.
Primary Responsibilities:
• Develop the organization's fundraising vision and strategy.
• With the president and board, identify, research, and cultivate major-gifts prospects—individual, corporate, government, and foundation—and develop and execute closing, stewardship, and growth strategies tailored to each revenue stream.
• Lead the charge on our annual star-studded gala, Show Teachers the Love!
• Organize our donor cultivation salons with high-profile faculty.
• Set clear benchmarks, regularly reflect on progress through data tracking and analysis, and adjust tactics as necessary to meet revenue goals.
• Identify best-in-practice development structures and, as we grow, build a team to help us meet our goals.
• In conjunction with the Programs team, provide insight into how various programs and promotional materials might better communicate the Academy’s mission to its multiple audiences.
• Work collaboratively with the staff to create a positive company culture.
• Ensure that institutional funders and prospects receive accurate and timely reports, proposals, and other items as outlined in agreements.
• Proactively design and execute new and creative donor-engagement strategies, leveraging volunteer opportunities, site visits, special events, and donor benefits as cultivation and engagement tools.
• Develop customized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for different prospects and donors in the portfolio; have the capacity to identify new donors and cultivate their interest in the Academy's mission.
• Regularly participate in the creation of necessary materials to inform the board of directors of ongoing development activity, successes, and needed resources.
• Develop and implement the necessary processes that lead to the perfect execution of development activities.
• Along with the chief operations officer, co-manage an assistant dedicated to both board and development work.
• Perform additional tasks as required.
Other requirements:
• Passion for the Academy’s mission.
• Creativity, bursting with good ideas, but also analytical, responsible, organized—a doer who takes initiative.
• Experience in planning impressive events.
• Excellent writing skills, and a horror of education jargon.
• A collaborative nature.
• Superb written and oral communication skills, with experience communicating effectively in one-on-one and large-group settings.
• Proven relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
• Experience applying data-informed decision-making processes.
• Must live in the NYC metro area.
Minimum education/experience required:
Bachelor’s Degree (B.A.) and over five years’ experience in fundraising.
Salary and Benefits:
Salary compensation range: $80,000 - $95,000 annually
Comprehensive benefits package including:
• Three weeks paid vacation
• Thirteen additional paid holidays
• 401K with generous employer contribution
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (80% employer contribution).
To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume as one document to: work@academyforteachers.org.
Subject heading: Application - Director of Development.
The Academy for Teachers seeks to hire staff who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. All positions are filled without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All are encouraged to apply.