Deputy Chief of Advancement

Independence Mission Schools (IMS) seeks a strategic and experienced advancement professional to serve as Deputy Chief of Advancement. This senior-level position is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Advancement Department, ensuring the efficiency of fundraising processes, donor stewardship, data management, and departmental workflows. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Deputy Chief of Advancement plays a key leadership role in driving IMS’s fundraising success by overseeing operations, coordinating strategic initiatives, and ensuring the team’s efforts align with overall advancement goals. This role will collaborate closely with your peers in Academics, Operations, and Finance to ensure cross-departmental initiatives are executed efficiently and with a high level of quality. The ideal candidate is a proactive, detail-oriented leader who can manage multiple priorities while optimizing the department’s overall impact.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Oversee and optimize the day-to-day operations of the Advancement Department, ensuring seamless execution of fundraising activities.
• Work closely with the Chief Advancement Officer to support frontline fundraising efforts.
• Supervise and support the Director of Annual Giving, Director of Donor Stewardship, and Development Services Manager, providing leadership, guidance, and accountability.
• Support Advisory Councils in their fundraising efforts by developing resources and tools to help Council Members engage their networks.
• Manage the Advancement team’s calendar, ensuring strategic coordination of campaigns, appeals, donor communications, and events.
• Work closely with Marketing, and in collaboration with IMS peers, to produce a Winter and Summer newsletter to donors.
• Participate in IMS Central Office leadership team meetings and collaborate with peers in Academics, Operations, and Finance to ensure cross-departmental initiatives are executed efficiently and with a high level of quality.
• Ensure effective donor stewardship strategies are executed to build and maintain strong philanthropic relationships.
• Oversee data management and reporting to ensure accurate tracking of fundraising progress and donor engagement.
• Develop and refine internal processes to enhance fundraising efficiency and donor engagement.
• Collaborate with the Chief Advancement Officer to set priorities and align operational efforts with IMS’s strategic fundraising goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s preferred.
• Minimum 10+ years of experience in nonprofit advancement, fundraising operations, or donor relations.
• Proven leadership and team management experience.
• Strong understanding of fundraising best practices, donor stewardship, and data management.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Preferred experience with DonorPerfect, or a similar database such as Raiser’s Edge.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Preferred experience working in a mission-driven or values-based environment.

Work Schedule:

• Hybrid schedule with 2-3 days in-office and remote flexibility on other days.
• Occasional evening and weekend hours required.

This role is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a mission-driven organization dedicated to providing a values-based, high-quality education to students in some Philadelphia’s underserved communities.

EOE: IMS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and celebrates staff diversity. We strive to be and build a diverse team that is representative of our students and the communities in which we serve. If you identify as an individual of color, we highly encourage you to apply!