Advancement Director

University School of Jackson attracts students from throughout West Tennessee with its challenging, college-preparatory curriculum, strong athletic and fine arts programs, and emphasis on character education. The Director of Advancement works closely with the Head of School and the Board of Trustees, supervising a small staff to provide leadership for the advancement and development programs as they build a strong culture of philanthropy throughout the school and its global community.

This individual will support the ongoing annual fund, and endowment/planned giving efforts, and any future capital campaign planning and execution. The director will work to broaden and deepen a culture of generosity with students, staff, parents, and other community members and support the Head of School in all aspects of advancement activities. The director will play a significant role in fundraising and other efforts necessary to achieve USJ’s ambitions and priorities.

In service to an overarching goal of increasing philanthropic investment in USJ, the Director of Advancement will support and partner with the advancement team to strengthen USJ’s current relationships while continuously broadening USJ’s relationships through systematic efforts to identify and cultivate potential new friends and donors among the greater learning community of current and former students, parents, grandparents, staff, trustees, and, where appropriate, with corporate and foundation entities.

The Director of Advancement will be a familiar and supportive presence, engaging with staff and students, meeting parents, alumni, and other constituents, to become thoroughly familiar with USJ and help create meaningful, proactive connections between USJ and its supporters.  Strong, supportive relationships have been the driving force behind our stability, longevity, and numerous successes for over fifty years. A thorough understanding of USJ’s mission, culture, pedagogy, practices, and day-to-day life, along with an understanding of USJ will be essential to the success of the individual who will lead USJ’s Advancement and Development planning efforts in the future.

This individual will share in ongoing strategic visioning as a member of the school leadership team and report to the Head of School.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Establish and execute forward-thinking advancement and strategic programs that optimally grow the annual, capital campaigns, legacy and Founders Society gifts, and planned giving.
• Oversee all aspects of the development program, including fundraising, leading the annual giving program, guiding capital campaigns, soliciting corporate and foundation proposals, creating a strong alumni association, and special development events.
• Identify, research, and spearhead the implementation of a diverse and multifaceted fundraising program to support the school’s strategic vision, cultivating a culture of giving and gratitude across all constituencies.
• Collaborate with the admissions office on PR initiatives and the marketing and communications office to create/produce fundraising-related communication materials to expand and enhance the school’s visibility and reputation.
• Identify corporate and foundation funding opportunities and assist in drafting grant applications.
• Strengthen relationships with the school’s alumni and further develop alumni programming.
• Personally solicit major donors.
• Enhance existing relationships while building new ones, systems, and programs that further tap into the community's generosity and resources.
• Maintain a database of all contributors and provide development reports as required.
• Manage the advancement budget.
• Supervise and nurture the advancement office staff.
• Coordinate the school’s volunteerism efforts.
• Nurture and maintain a highly collaborative relationship with the head of school, the board chair, and individual board members, supporting them in all their fundraising responsibilities and accompanying donor visits when appropriate.
• Serve on the senior leadership team of the school

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree preferred
• Administrative experience is strongly preferred.
• Proven success at working collaboratively
• 5+ years of fundraising experience in the nonprofit sector
• Independent school experience preferred
• Proven success in directly soliciting and closing charitable gifts
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with all the school’s constituents while maintaining strict confidentiality
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strategic thinker with a “can-do” style
• Passionate about working with a wide range of individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Outstanding knowledge of fundraising data software and database management software
• Experience working with and motivating volunteers and staff members
• Familiarity with the local community

Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter by email to Head of School, Don Roe, [email protected], by June 16, 2025