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Princeton Day School
Director of Advancement
Deerfield Associates has been retained by Princeton Day School, located in Princeton, New Jersey, to conduct a national search for a Director of Advancement. This opportunity is available beginning in July 2023. Candidates who are interested in being considered for a start date sooner than July 2023 are encouraged to submit their materials.
Kelley Nicholson-Flynn
Princeton Day School (PDS) is an independent school serving 965 students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. In addition to its engaged and accomplished student body, the school's extraordinary resources include a highly innovative, collaborative and dedicated faculty, an interdisciplinary and rigorous curriculum and a 106-acre campus situated two miles from downtown Princeton and midway between New York City and Philadelphia.
While its roots date to 1899, PDS was founded in 1965, the result of the merger of Miss Fine's School and Princeton Country Day School. The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools since 1989 and employs approximately 140 faculty members.
Of the 2022 graduating class of Princeton Day School seniors, approximately one-third were honored as semi-finalists or commended scholars in the National Merit Scholarship Program. From 2018 through 2022, the most frequented schools for members of the graduating classes were New York University (20), Princeton University (18), The University of Pennsylvania (12), Columbia University (11) and Boston College (10).
Following the remarkable fifteen-year headship of Paul J. Stellato, the school announced that Kelley Nicholson-Flynn, Ph.D., will join the community as its next Head of School beginning in July of 2023. Well-known and admired for her work at Riverdale Country School and The Lawrenceville School, Dr. Nicholson-Flynn will bring significant experience as a classroom teacher, department head, divisional leader and PreK-12 administrator.
Other Vital Statistics
Students: 964 in PreK-12; 54% identify as students of color
Faculty: 140 faculty members; 70% hold advanced degrees
Endowment: $74.8 million
Operating Budget: $37 million
Funds Raised (FY22): $3.03 million
Annual Funds Raised (FY22): $2.1 million
Alumni Participation: 25%
Parent Participation: 79%
Thrive! Campaign Total Raised: $58.6 million
Tuition: $34,700 to $42,530 annually depending on grade level
Financial Aid: $5.9 million to 24% of the student body
Alumni Body: 5,567
Princeton Day School nurtures the mind, body, and character of each student. In academics, athletics, the arts, and service, we celebrate the pursuit of individual excellence and the spirit of collaboration that binds us together as a community. We seek diversity of cultures, views, and talents to promote the intellectual growth and moral development of our students.
Our rigorous and broad PreK-Grade 12 program is designed for motivated and academically talented students. We emphasize both creative and critical thought and their clear expression. Supported by exceptional faculty and a cooperative partnership of school and home, our students discover the joy of learning. They explore their interests, cultivate enduring relationships with teachers and peers, take risks and thrive.
Integrity, respect, and compassion are essential to the school's mission. Our students leave Princeton Day School well-equipped for college and beyond: prepared to act knowledgeably, lead thoughtfully, share generously and contribute meaningfully.
Princeton Day School aspires to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community in which all members are seen, challenged, affirmed, respected, and valued. In doing so, we actively engage in conversations about racism, antisemitism, and other forms of religious discrimination, as well as discrimination that may be experienced by those who are gender non-conforming. At PDS, we strive to cultivate a feeling of belonging for everyone within our school community and believe such inclusion enriches us all. In cultivating this environment, we foster intellectual, social and emotional growth.
The Opportunity: Director Of Advancement
Princeton Day School seeks a Director of Advancement who is responsible for the overall vision, leadership, goals and outcomes of the advancement office and who is prepared to design a comprehensive and strategic fundraising approach to create the next generation of philanthropic leaders and supporters. Reporting directly to and a key partner of the Head of School, the Director is a member of the school's senior leadership team. Highly visible within the community, the Director must be a highly articulate spokesperson for the institution and a strategic and systemic thinker who can contribute to all areas of the school. The Director serves as a staff member on the Committee on Trustees, attends appropriate Board of Trustee meetings and supports the management of the Alumni Council.
The Advancement Office
The Director oversees a team of seven including the Director of the Annual Fund, the Director of Donor Engagement, Senior Development Officer and the Executive Assistant to the Director of Advancement. The current staff is composed mainly of veteran employees (many of whom are former or current parents) and runs approximately 15 events annually including alumni weekend and a day of giving. The office is situated on the second and third floors of the historic Colross building which also houses the admission and communications offices, both of which are highly collaborative partners.
Aligning with the mission and vision of Princeton Day School. The ideal candidate will demonstrate an understanding of the culture of Princeton Day School, an eagerness to learn and embody the mission and values of the institution and embrace a forward-thinking vision for the school's next chapter. They also demonstrate an understanding of their own identities and how identity matters to those they interact with.
Partnering strategically with the Head of School and the Board of Trustees. The ideal candidate will bring a systemic, integrated approach to fundraising and alumni, parent and donor communications. This includes the development of a long-range plan for a comprehensive and creative advancement program including the setting of metrics-driven goals and action steps that maximizes the fundraising potential of annual, planned, endowment, capital and unrestricted giving. The ideal candidate communicates exceptionally well in writing, in intimate conversations and when speaking publicly on behalf of PDS and understands the importance of confidentiality.
Fostering relationships. With confidence, humility and warmth, the ideal candidate will build and foster personal relationships with students, colleagues, families, past families, current and former trustees, alumni and friends of PDS. They will also form strong partnerships through collaboration, curiosity, and listening, and by optimistically and authentically representing the past and present of PDS. The ideal candidate will have experience working with, and connecting to, a large and diverse community, and have a deep respect for and appreciation of diversity of culture, background, experience and thought.
Valuing, leading and investing in the growth of the members of the Advancement Office. With a clear agenda and through exceptional team management, the ideal candidate will mentor and advise the advancement staff in setting and achieving goals and objectives. They will also work to ensure that information systems and department processes and procedures are efficient and effective, thereby optimizing donor research and identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. As part of a comprehensive advancement program, they will build and manage a team of volunteers with confidence and care.
Believing in the life-long process of learning. The ideal candidate stays current on the changing landscape of the advancement field and adjusts accordingly. They also invest in understanding factors affecting the independent school enterprise and work in the school's best interests based on those intersections. With a growth mindset, they seek out opportunities to learn from colleagues, community members, organizations and experts.
Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gift and leadership prospects, independently and with the Head of School; broaden and sustain committed relationships with PDS; and maintain an active portfolio of high-potential alumni, parents and friends of the school.
Set goals, determine strategy, establish plans and manage staff and relationships with various constituencies.
Implement best practices in data recording and management, gift acknowledgment and reporting, donor relations, giving policies and confidentiality of information.
With the Director of Annual Giving, create a plan of operation, annual goals and tactical fundraising materials, as well as the organization of the campaign and volunteers and all related communications.
Collaborate with the Director of Communications to set communications strategy and ensure cohesive messaging in all areas related to the school's advancement program.
Work with the Senior Development Officer who oversees all alumni engagement to develop and enhance the alumni relations program, including implementation of a system of class agents, alumni reunions, special regional alumni gatherings and alumni involvement in annual and capital giving. Ensure that programming is welcoming and accessible for all members of the alumni community.
Plan and implement events and activities to engage constituents and build greater affinity for Princeton Day School. Ensure that all donors are kept informed and feel appreciated for their support after their gift has been made.
Facilitate interaction between the Parents Association, parent and guardian body and the school.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
10+ years of highly-successful fundraising experience, preferably within an educational institution, distinguished by a record of strong performance in the cultivation, solicitation and closing of major gift prospects.
Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with all aspects of a comprehensive fundraising program including capital giving.
Experience with institutional storytelling through print and digital channels including high-quality annual reports, alumni magazines, web content and social media.
A keen eye for operational efficiency and optimal use of resources; the ability to plan, monitor and manage a budget.
Experience with the design and implementation of cultivation and stewardship events.
A deep understanding of Blackbaud Raiser's Edge software and other relevant technologies and platforms.
A bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree in a related field is preferred.
Subject to disability accommodation exceptions under federal and state law, all PDS employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Princeton Day School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Princeton day school benefits
Princeton Day School offers a dynamic and supportive work environment, competitive salaries, and a generous benefits package including a retirement plan with employer-matching, medical and dental self-insured plans, short and long-term disability plans, a basic life insurance plan, and generous support for professional growth. Housing for this position may be available to rent for below-market rate.
The target hiring salary range for this position is $200 – $250K.
To explore this superb career opportunity on a highly confidential basis, send your résumé and a letter of interest, along with a list of four (4) references (who will be contacted only if mutual interest is determined) to:
Doug Cooney, Executive Search Consultant, DEERFIELD ASSOCIATES Executive Search, Inc.
572 Washington Street, Suite 15, Wellesley, MA 02482 Telephone: 781-237-2800.
Email: jobs@deerfieldassociates.com
572 Washington Street, Suite #15 • Wellesley, MA 02482 • 781.237.2800 • Contact us