We are an independent, Montessori school in Chicago serving 560+ students and their families, starting at a parent-infant class and up to 8th grade. We are a community of shared values working to fulfill a meaningful mission. NNM faculty, staff and parents strive for an equitable and inclusive school culture through intentional, reflective practice. We work together to challenge all students to think for themselves, pursue their ideas and become real learners for the real world. 

Learn more about us on our website: www.nnms.org

We are a seeking a full-time, year-round Director of Institutional Advancement to join the Near North Montessori team here in Chicago.

Schedule: 40 hours per week, typically Monday through Friday, with shifts falling between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, with adjustments or additional time as needed. This position may also require evening, weekend, and/or holiday work to match with the fundraising schedule of the school. This is a year-round, 12-month role, and we are searching for someone to start in July 2024 for our 2024/25 school year!

Position Overview:

The Director of Institutional Advancement works closely with the Head of School and the Board of Directors, supervises a small staff, and provides leadership for the Advancement Office as it builds a strong culture of philanthropy among families, staff, the board, and alumni.  The Director of Institutional Advancement designs strategies and initiatives that attract the maximum gift support to NNM. 

The Director will make it their priority to become intimately familiar with the NNM community and understand the mission, values, and impact of a Montessori education. Key responsibilities of the Director of Institutional Advancement include but are not limited to: executing a multi-year strategic plan; cultivating strong relationships with donors; educating constituents about philanthropy and ways to support NNM; overseeing the Near North Fund, which is an annual fundraising campaign; and partnering with parent volunteers for Big Night, which raises funds for NNM’s financial aid program.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Advancement Team Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and execute a multi-year strategic plan that optimally grows the annual, major, and capital campaigns, legacy gifts, and planned giving.
• Oversee all aspects of the development program, including fundraising, leading the annual giving program (Near North Fund), the Big Night Gala (funds for financial aid), guiding the capital campaign, soliciting corporate and foundation proposals, and special development events.
• Identify, research, and spearhead the implementation of a multifaceted fundraising program to support the school’s strategic vision and cultivate a culture of giving and gratitude across all constituencies.

Cultivate & Steward Relationships

• Personally solicit major donors and actively cultivate relationships with new donors.
• Enhance existing relationships while building new relationships, systems, and programs that further tap into the generosity and resources of the school community.
• Nurture and maintain a collaborative relationship with the Head of School, the Board of Directors, and individual directors, supporting them in all their fundraising responsibilities, and accompanying them on donor visits when appropriate.

Operational Excellence

• Maintain a fundraising dashboard reflecting accurate and updated information about fundraising efforts, and reconcile gifts and pledges monthly with the business office.
• Craft fundraising policies for the School to ensure that constituents understand expectations for soliciting funds and resources.
• Record gifts in the database management system according to all IRS specifications and School policies and procedures.
• Make timely and accurate responses to donor concerns, requests, and gifts.
• Actively participate in faculty and professional meetings, open houses, and school events.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required, assigned, or requested.

Supervisory Responsibility: 

• Hire, supervise, direct, and provide professional development and growth opportunities to the Director of Donor and Alumni Relations, and ensure their work fulfills the needs of the department and school.
• Provide regular performance feedback, including annual performance appraisals, to support the professional growth and talents of the Director of Donor and Alumni Relations.
• Create a supportive culture and environment that encourages inclusiveness and teamwork.

• Bachelor’s Degree required; an advanced degree in a related field is preferred
• 5+ years in the nonprofit sector, specifically and demonstrably in fundraising
• 3 to 5+ years of supervisory experience
• Independent school experience is preferred and is a strong plus
• Strategic and forward-thinking 
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with all the school’s constituents while maintaining data on a need-to-know basis
• Proven success in directly soliciting and closing charitable gifts
• Have an understanding and ability to collect and analyze data
• Ability to use Blackbaud, other fundraising platforms, Constant Contact, and Canva, or willingness to quickly learn and become intimately familiar with these platforms
• Strong oral and written skills and interpersonal skills
• Flexibility with working evenings, weekends, & holidays as assigned
• Knowledge of regulatory (state and federal) compliance issues and laws relative to areas of responsibility
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Proficiency in the use of Google Suite
• Experience in working with CRM systems (Blackbaud a plus)

Full-time employment to start in July of 2024; however, we'd like to have this position filled by April of 2024.

• Pay Information: Eligible for an exempt salary, starting at $120,000 per year.
• Benefits Information:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision packages available for both you and your dependents. HSA (health savings account) available as a tie-in to one level of medical plan.
  • Both individual and dependent FSA (flexible spending accounts) available.
  • Fully-funded short term disability and individual life insurance available, with option to upgrade to long term disability and group life insurance for an additional cost.
  • Robust paid time off policy that includes at least 10 paid days off per school year.
  • Paid school holidays can add up to 25 extra paid days off per year.
  • 403b retirement planning available, with a company match of 100% up to 6%.
  • Access to an EAP (employee assistance program) that provides up to 6 free consultations per year on a variety of life concerns.
  • Suite of voluntary benefits available, such as pre-tax transit deductions, pet insurance, accident & critical illness insurance, and more.