Career Center

Buffalo Seminary seeks a dynamic and energetic individual to lead the Office of Development. The Director of Development will be responsible for designing and implementing comprehensive institutional advancement programs with the goal of significantly increasing alumni involvement and fundraising outcomes.

Buffalo Seminary is an independent day and boarding school for college-bound girls. Founded in 1851, and among the oldest girls’ schools in the United States, SEM has designed a culture of scholarship, leadership, creativity, and service for over 170 years. At Buffalo Seminary, we celebrate our diverse identities and perspectives. We embrace diversity as necessary for our collective growth and achievement. To fulfill this purpose, we welcome and seek students, families, and employees who contribute to the richness of our diverse community. At SEM we work every day to ensure that all who come within our walls have what they need to realize their potential and to participate fully in school life. The ideal candidate should demonstrate enthusiasm for all-girl education and will embrace diversity and support our inclusive community.

The Director will oversee all Development and Fundraising programs including but not limited to the annual fund, endowment and capital campaigns, legacy gifts, corporate and foundation relationships and proposals, stewardship of our donors, and planned giving. As a member of the senior administrative team, the Director reports directly to the Head of School and works closely with the Chair of the Development Committee of the Board. 

Key Responsibilities include:

• Identifying, researching, and leading the implementation of a multifaceted fundraising program to support the school’s strategic vision, creating a culture of philanthropy across all constituencies and social-economic strata. 
• Evaluate current fundraising strategies and methods and recommend changes as appropriate.
• Develop, nurture, and maintain productive and effective relationships with SEM’s dedicated alumnae and alumnae parents. Providing a continual stream of engaging opportunities that continues to strengthen SEM’s relationship with this community.
• Assist the Head of School by developing and maintaining a program of research and an action plan for solicitation and of the school's key stakeholders, prospects, and major donors.
• Create exciting community-wide events and programs that engage the entire SEM community in alumnae and donor stewardship. 
• Identifying and pursuing corporate and foundation funding opportunities.
• Management and processing of all funds received in accordance with local, state and federal laws, and the maintaining of giving records of donors to the school.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree required omitted marketing preference
• Private/Independent school experience preferred
• 5+ years of proven fundraising success, directly soliciting and securing charitable gifts, in the nonprofit sector 
• 3+ years of direct management experience 
• A strategic thinker and problem solver with strong organizational skills and the ability to flex as needed
• Superior verbal, written communication, and interpersonal skills
• Cultural competency and an ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Knowledge of fundraising data software and database management software

Buffalo Seminary is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter with resume to Ann More, Assistant to the Head of School, at 205 Bidwell Parkway, Buffalo NY 14222, or via email at Humanresources@buffaloseminary.org. Please include position for which you are applying in the subject line.

In order to be eligible to work at Buffalo Seminary, all employees are required to receive a completed course of one of the FDA approved COVID-19 vaccinations (Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson) or receive an exemption for a diagnosed medical or deeply held religious belief (which must go through an approval process). Employees not in compliance with this policy will not be eligible to work at Buffalo Seminary.