Director of External Affairs

We are seeking applications for a Director of External Affairs responsible for working with the Executive Director and leadership to develop and execute strategic communications and development plans that support the organization’s mission and goals.  

LAMB offers a unique model that provides bilingual Montessori public education to diverse, urban families in the nation’s capital. Serving children in PK3 through 5th grade, LAMB is a community that is committed to children and promotes peace and equality for all. LAMB’s mission is to be a bilingual Montessori community rooted in Latin American culture in which every child thrives.

Job Overview

The Director of External Affairs is responsible for working with the Executive Director and leadership to develop and execute strategic communications and development plans that support the organization’s mission and goals.

In the fundraising role, the Director engages the organization community to qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward leadership donors from a variety of prospective groups, including individual donors, institutional funders, current and alumni parents. This position is responsible for all annual fundraising, including events, the annual fund, leadership gift solicitation and the development of strategies to increase parent and alumni parent leadership giving. 

In the strategic communications role, the Director oversees and manages the development and implementation of communication strategies and initiatives that align with the organization’s goals, values, and priorities. This role plays a crucial part in shaping the organization's public image, building relationships with stakeholders, and ensuring effective communication.  

Primary Duties and Responsibilities 

• Define and execute Development strategy - Work with the Executive Director, senior staff, and the Board of Directors to refine and execute a multi-year growth fundraising plan for the organization.
• Cultivate a robust donor base - Develop and maintain relationships with donors and prospects, and track relationships managed by others (board, ED, etc.).
• Coordinate Special Events for external prospects/donors - Orchestrate all dimensions of development events, from invitations and RSVPs to facility management and program.
• Identify and manage grant opportunities – Identify private and public grant opportunities, manage the grant writing and application process (including working with faculty on project specifics, researching issues, etc.), and providing grant reports and updates to grantors as needed.
• Establish and execute a comprehensive strategic communications plan that engages families, faculty, external partners, and donors  – Partnering with the Executive Director as well as senior staff, and the Board of Directors, identify communications goals, strategies, and tactics and create a range of printed and online materials related to the campaigns.
• Partner with ED to manage Boards’ engagement on Development and communications activities – Work to engage all board members, as possible and appropriate, in development activities. This includes supporting board members to leverage their networks to identify and cultivate prospects (both individual and institutional), to serve as advocates for the organization, and to maximize board giving. Staff the appropriate Board Committee, including providing regular progress reports on plan execution.  
• Maintain Development Records and Reporting – Execute and/or oversee data entry of all major gifts and grants, including tracking, reporting, correspondence, and follow-up. Work with the Director of Finance on all necessary reporting, budgeting and audit-related activities. 
• Partner with ED on external advocacy and partnership cultivation - This role also works to support the ED in advocacy activities, such as for legislative changes, for the Public Charter School Board process, and other activities as needed. Identify key partners that can support the organization’s work with financial or in-kind support.

Strategic Fundraising 

• Work with the Strategic Fundraising Team (school leadership, board members, and consultants)  to set goals and develop strategies for meeting or exceeding targets. 
• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy for parents, alumni, and major parent alumni donors in coordination with development consultants and the Strategic Fundraising Team 
• Create targeted fundraising campaigns and initiatives to engage current parents and inspire them to contribute at various giving levels. 
• Identify, research, and cultivate relationships with major alumni parent donors and other major donor prospects, capable of making significant contributions to the organization.  
• Plan and oversee fundraising events targeting external donors, board members, parents and alumni. 
• Collaborate with parent volunteers to manage logistics, budgets, and timelines for fundraising events.  
• Evaluate the success of fundraising events and initiatives, analyzing key metrics and making recommendations for improvement. 

Strategic Communications

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications plan aligned with the organization’s mission and strategic goals. 
• Develop and implement crisis communications in consultation with school level leaders. 
• Oversee the creation of compelling content for various channels, including the organization’s website, social media platforms, newsletters, and press releases. 
• Build and maintain relationships with local media outlets and seek opportunities for media coverage. 
• Monitor and analyze the effectiveness of communication strategies, making adjustments as necessary. 
• Establish and maintain effective communication channels with alumni parents and alumni, keeping them informed of the organization’s accomplishments, needs, and opportunities for involvement. 
• Regularly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies and initiatives. 

Brand Ambassador

• Work closely with the organization leadership team to develop and maintain a strong brand identity that reflects the organization’s values and achievements. 
• Coordinate marketing and public relations efforts to increase awareness of the organization within the community. 
• Represent the organization at community events, conferences, and networking opportunities to promote the mission and fundraising initiatives. 

Student Recruitment 

• Build relationships with outside organizations to increase the Equitable Access enrollment. 
• Develop innovative recruitment initiatives and programs to attract students from underrepresented communities, including low-income families, communities of color, and English language learners. 
• Track and analyze enrollment data and trends to assess the effectiveness of recruitment strategies and make data-driven adjustments as needed, especially with regards to ensuring diversity. 
• Conduct surveys and gather feedback from families to gauge their satisfaction and identify opportunities to enhance the recruitment and enrollment experience. Work closely in collaboration with other team members to achieve enrollment goals o Develop and enhance valuable partnerships with external constituents 
• Facilitate strategic conversations about the School’s recruitment efforts Spearhead all admission and development related events, both onsite and offsite as part of overall recruitment and retention efforts.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse stakeholders, including board members, parents, alumni, and major donor prospects.
• Show strong understanding of fundraising best practices, including donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies. 
• Demonstrate responsibility and care with the limited resources of the school.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. 
• Persevere through challenges. 
• Show a commitment to the mission of the school. 

Qualifications 

• Bachelors degree required, Masters preferred 
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, or related fields, preferably in the education or nonprofit sector. 
• Proven track record of successfully soliciting and securing major gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations. 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities, nor is it intended to imply that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. All employees should be prepared to go beyond the narrow job description and participate in the full life of the ONE LAMB team. 

FLSA Classification:  Exempt

Reports to:  Executive Director

Compensation

Salary is commensurate with experience, ranging from $75,000-$100,000. Generous benefits package includes medical insurance (health, dental, & vision), retirement plan, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, flexible spending account (medical, dependent care, and transit), and vacation/sick leave.

Apply Today!

For more information about LAMB and to apply for this position, please visit the careers page of our website at http://www.lambpcs.org/careers.

Only applicants meeting minimum qualifications for the position will be considered. Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment in this position. LAMB welcomes resumes from all qualified applicants. No phone calls and no employment agencies, please.