Director of Advancement (Sequoyah School, Pasadena, CA)

Sequoyah School, a vibrant, progressive independent school in sunny Pasadena, California, is seeking an inspiring, mission-driven leader to serve as its next Director of Advancement. Founded in 1958 as a forward-thinking K-6 program, Sequoyah has blossomed into a dynamic K-12 community dedicated to challenging young minds, nurturing compassionate hearts, and honoring the inherent dignity in every student. Rooted in the transformative power of progressive education, Sequoyah fosters a culture where student agency thrives and experiential learning ignites the spark of curiosity in every child. Central to the school's uplifting vision is a longstanding and unwavering commitment to socioeconomic diversity, embodied in Sequoyah's Indexed Tuition program. This visionary initiative enables the school's vibrant community to reflect a rich tapestry of social, economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, where students are inspired to approach life with unbridled creativity, humor, profound sensitivity, and a deep understanding of today's multifaceted world.

Reporting directly to the Head of School, Rebecca Hong, the new Director of Advancement will join Sequoyah at an exhilarating juncture. In close collaboration with the Head and a seasoned school leadership team, the Director will play a vital role in shaping the school's future, where civic responsibility and community partnership will continue to be central to Sequoyah's leadership in the independent school world.

The Director of Advancement is a 12-month role that presents a remarkable opportunity to strengthen and expand the school's culture of joyful philanthropy, fully aligned with Sequoyah's core values of progressive education and socioeconomic diversity, as evidenced by the Indexed Tuition program, which allows families to pay a tuition level based on financial means. Working closely with a passionate advancement team and engaged volunteer leaders, the Director will cultivate meaningful relationships and inspire generous investment in Sequoyah's inspiring vision. This position is key to developing sustainable funding strategies that will advance the school's ambitious plans, including the purchase of the K-8 campus, capital improvements, growing the faculty endowment, and sustaining the transformative Indexed Tuition program.

Strategic Priorities and Opportunities

The ideal Director of Advancement candidate will bring a sophisticated understanding of advancement work, combined with a deep appreciation for Sequoyah's unique community culture and values. This is an extraordinary opportunity to do profoundly meaningful work at a school that lives its values and where progressive education comes alive. With vision and dedication, the Director will take part in constructing a school to believe in - a community of generous supporters who will ensure a future bright with possibility for Sequoyah and the lives it touches.

Serving as a Thought Partner and Strategic Counsel to the Head of School

The Director of Advancement will bring strategic insights and a compelling vision to the role while serving as an energetic thought partner to the Head of School. The Head is anticipating a close collaboration with someone who takes initiative in developing creative plans and shares candid, constructive feedback about outcomes. Together, they will form a dynamic team driven by astute thinking, transparent dialogue, and the ability to inspire others.

Empowering the Sequoyah Community Through a Culture of Philanthropy

Sequoyah is eager to cultivate a culture of philanthropy, empowering families, alumni, the school board, and the wider community to see their connection to the school as an opportunity for meaningful contribution. Through a full-community storytelling project, educational initiatives, and inclusive engagement strategies, the school aims to inspire all stakeholders to actively support its mission and future, build their capacity as philanthropic partners, and secure the resources needed to advance progressive education, socio-economic diversity, and innovative learning.

Developing an Inclusive Advancement Program

The Director will collaborate closely with school leadership to design and lead an inclusive advancement program that inspires broad community support and maximizes gift contributions. This includes developing creative and innovative strategies for the annual campaign, organizing engaging community-building and fundraising events building on the successes of past annual auctions and Jogathons, cultivating planned giving programs, securing foundation grants, and advancing major and capital campaign gifts. By carefully balancing tradition with creative new strategies, the school can inspire broader support without compromising its values.

Developing Campus Facilities

Sequoyah is positioned to realize a long-term strategic initiative and purchase its K-8 campus from the California Department of Transportation. While the campaigns and funding for this historic endeavor are complete, this moment presents opportunities for an advancement professional ready to support Sequoyah's future in alignment with its community values.

Deepening External Relationships

The Director will energize Sequoyah’s philanthropic efforts by fostering strong external relationships to nurture dynamic community ties throughout Pasadena and beyond. By deepening these connections, Sequoyah can proudly advance its mission by creating community partnerships. Such partnerships help the school run smoothly as a connected and civic-minded non-profit business in our city.

Expand Endowments for Long-term Sustainability

Continuing to build, steward, and expand Sequoyah's endowment program, including the faculty endowment and the Fund for Access, will provide an opportunity to support the long-term financial sustainability of the school and maintain its lasting legacy of progressive, student-centered education.

Enhancing Systems Development

The Advancement department's close connection with Communications, Events, Alumni Affairs, and Admissions offers an opportunity to create clear, collaborative systems that enhance teamwork. Sequoyah is developing an integrated workflow to support this effort and streamline operations across these interconnected areas.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Provide direction and support to the Head of School in fulfilling their advancement responsibilities, including external relations and government affairs

Engage with the school community by forming strong stakeholder relationships and developing a deep understanding of the school's mission and initiatives, effectively integrating this knowledge into impactful fundraising communications and educational outreach

Represent Sequoyah School in its values, achievements, mission, needs, and opportunities to its constituencies and donors, as well as external partners

Design and coordinate all aspects of gift campaigns, and assure personal attention is given to key volunteers and donors while building a broad base of support for strategic priorities amongst stakeholders

Nurture donor relations and community engagement

Direct alumni relations in support of defined goals, budget, and timetables

Articulate the case for support of annual campaigns, capital and endowment campaigns, planned giving, and major gift initiatives

Cultivate and solicit individual major gifts, including the drafting of personal major gift proposals

Provide regular analysis of advancement program results and status to the Head of School, Board of Trustees, and the leadership team as appropriate, as well as to the full internal employee community, including written reports providing quantitative and qualitative analysis

Manage advancement team, including establishing annual goals, performance reviews, and professional development

Assist the Head of School and the Board of Trustees in navigating emergent issues related to institutional advancement

Serve as staff support for the Board of Trustees and Board committees as needed, including the advancement and governance committees

Assure constructive, responsive donor relations, accurate gift recording, and appropriate stewardship of all gifts

QUALITIES AND ATTRIBUTES

The next Director of Advancement should be warm, approachable, and engaging, combining a strategic mindset with development expertise to foster a culture of philanthropy that aligns with Sequoyah’s values. As both storyteller and ambassador, the Director will be a skillful communicator who inspires a spirit of giving that is inclusive and embraced by the entire community. They will bring a sophisticated style to development while honoring Sequoyah’s distinctive approach to recognition and community-building, creating a robust philanthropic culture that reflects and supports the school’s unique mission.

Personal Qualities:

Mission-aligned and deeply committed to progressive education

Highly emotional intelligent

Authentic and thoughtful

Strategic and transparent communicator, both oral and written, who can effectively communicate with other senior leaders, trustees, prospective donors, volunteers, and staff

Collaborative team player willing and able to work across divisions

A quick study and curious learner

An innovative and creative thinker

High-energy self-starter with the ability to successfully prioritize and multi-task in an atmosphere in which time-sensitive deadlines are the norm

A roll-up-your-sleeves mentality with a willingness to pitch in where needed

Cultural Match & Community Understanding:

Values aligned with a strong understanding of Sequoyah's unique culture

Understanding of and commitment to socio-economic diversity

Willingness and interest in maintaining a visible presence in the daily life of the school

Strong listener who will commit to learning about the community before strategizing and implementing changes

Skilled in discussing financial matters with sensitivity to community dynamics

Understanding of or willingness to learn the school’s and Pasadena's history

Leadership & Management:

Demonstrated gravitas and an ability to influence and rally people

Proactive and ambitious

Strong networker who can build relationships with diverse constituencies

Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality

Ability to connect and work effectively with people from all areas, including high-end donors, city government, alumni, etc.

Capable of building and maintaining community ties