Career Center

Sheridan School, an independent K-8 school in Washington, D.C., is seeking an experienced and energetic fundraiser as our next Director of Advancement to be responsible for the vision, strategy and implementation of all advancement and fundraising activities throughout the community. The Director of Advancement reports directly to the Head of School and works closely with members of the Board of Trustees, the Parents Association, faculty, staff and students.

Founded in 1927, Sheridan is a progressive school with 230 students, a vibrant, engaged community, and a fierce commitment to both equity and diversity. We are dedicated to advancing our practice of progressive education and delivering a rich curriculum that prepares our students to know, to challenge and to achieve. We provide a learning culture that is curious, thoughtful, joyful, and just, and our professional culture is steeped in collaboration, respect and eagerness to embrace new experiences and ideas.

The Director of Advancement oversees all aspects of the school’s development and fundraising work and works to build a strong, healthy and connected school community.

Fundraising: The Director of Advancement takes a lead role in fundraising and collaborates with the Board of Trustees and Head of School to sustain a culture of philanthropy that allows Sheridan to accomplish its mission. 

Specific responsibilities in this role include: overseeing Sheridan’s annual giving, major giving, planned gifts, capital campaigns and grants,, and building and maintaining lifelong connections with Sheridan families and faculty. 

Specific responsibilities include: 

• Planning and executing Sheridan’s Annual Fund campaign in a manner that allows the school to meet or exceed its Annual Fund goal. 
• Planning and executing Sheridan’s annual Auction in a manner that helps the school reach its financial goals. 
• Establishing and maintaining a culture of gratitude in which every donor is thanked and stewarded in ways that meet both legal and personal expectations. 
• Special events 
• Work closely with the Director of Enrollment Management to create and maintain a robust community of families that begins at admittance and continues through graduation (orientation, events, check-ins, exit interviews, etc.) and align programming events that focus on the long term relationship with families.
• Record gifts, pledges and other information in donor database and reconcile all transactions with the Business Office
• Design and carry out smaller Sheridan events that support and steward our community, including those aimed at donor and volunteer recognition, parent education and alumni and alumni family engagement. 
• Serve as the school liaison to the Parents Association
• Work with Faculty, Staff, Students and Parents to help the Sheridan community find ways to give, serve and take action.
• Special projects as assigned. 

??The successful candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, experience in content creation, excellent communications and writing skills, and the ability to establish collaborative relationships with all school constituencies, including current and prospective parents, teachers, alumni and alumni families, and local community members. Candidate must be able to work some nights and weekends for school events. Familiarity with the K-8 educational environment is a plus. 

We are eager to consider candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit a letter of interest and resume via email at careers@sheridanschool.org. Please include “Director of Advancement” in the subject line. 

Sheridan School does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, genetic information, veteran status, disability or any other category protected by law. 

To learn more about Sheridan, please visit us at www.sheridanschool.org.