Collegiate School seeks a dynamic, strategic and relationship-driven advancement leader to serve as its next Director of Advancement. Reporting directly to the Head of School and serving as a member of the senior administrative team, the Director of Advancement will play a critical role in shaping the School's future by leading philanthropy, engagement, communications and community-building efforts.

The Director will oversee a talented advancement team and guide a comprehensive program encompassing major gifts, annual giving, alumni relations, parent engagement, trustee relations, communications and marketing. The successful candidate will be an accomplished fundraiser and inspiring leader who understands how to build authentic relationships, articulate a compelling vision, and cultivate a culture of philanthropy.

Working closely with school leadership, trustees, alumni, parents and friends of the School, the Director of Advancement will help secure the resources necessary to advance Collegiate's mission and strategic priorities for generations to come.

This is an extraordinary opportunity to join a historic institution at a moment of strength and momentum and to help shape the next chapter of one of the nation’s most distinguished independent schools. This opportunity is available immediately, and will be filled following a comprehensive national search, and when the candidate of choice is identified and selected.

Essential Duties: 

• Develop and maintain a highly collaborative working relationship with the Head of School to support endowment growth and drive long-term giving and advancement strategy. 
• Provide strategic leadership for all advancement functions, aligning philanthropy, communications, and engagement efforts with the School’s mission, values, and long-term strategic priorities.
• Serve as a key advisor to the Head of School and Board of Trustees on philanthropy, constituent relations, reputation and community engagement. 
• Design and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy that includes annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, capital campaigns, and endowment growth.
• Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and prospects, ensuring strong and enduring relationships with alumni, parents, trustees and friends of the School.
• Foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the community by inspiring faculty, staff, trustees, volunteers, and other constituents in support of the School’s advancement goals.
• Oversee alumni, parent, and trustee engagement programs that strengthen lifelong connection, volunteerism and advocacy for the school.
• Provide support and direction to the Head of School, Board of Trustees, Campaign Cabinet, and volunteers for donor outreach and engagement activities.
• Lead, mentor and manage a high-performing advancement team by setting clear goals, promoting 
• Partner with communications and marketing colleagues to ensure cohesive, mission-driven messaging that elevates the School’s visibility, reputation, and storytelling across all platforms.
• Collaborate with colleagues in Admissions, Finance, academic leadership and other departments to ensure that advancement strategies support institutional priorities and reinforce the School’s distinct value proposition.
• Work closely with the Board of Trustees by preparing reports, guiding engagement and supporting the Board’s philanthropic effectiveness. 
• Implement and support best practices in data management, analytics, stewardship and donor engagement.
• Utilize technology, data and metrics to inform strategy, measure progress and evaluate impact. 
• Serve as an ambassador and spokesperson for the School at events and in the broader community.
• Ensure fiscal responsibility within the advancement office, managing budgets, resources, and operations to achieve ambitious yet sustainable goals.
• Prepare appropriate periodic reports for the Head of School and Board of Trustees.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required. Master’s degree in a related field is preferred. 
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in advancement, development, philanthropy, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated record of strategic leadership and fundraising success.
• Experience in an independent school is strongly preferred, though advancement leaders from higher education, nonprofit, or other mission-driven sectors are encouraged to explore.   
• Proven experience with comprehensive campaigns, major gifts, planned giving, endowment  growth, or capital initiatives.
• Experience working with senior leadership and boards of trustees, with the ability to engage, educate, and inspire volunteers and donors.
• Demonstrated success in building, leading and mentoring effective teams.
• Familiarity with advancement data systems, analytics, and emerging technologies that inform strategy and enhance donor engagement.

Leadership and Personal Attributes

• Mission-driven with a genuine passion for an independent school education and a deep belief in the transformative power of community and philanthropy.
• A strategic thinker and systems builder who can integrate development, communications, and engagement into a cohesive advancement enterprise.
• Exceptional relationship-builder who is authentic, empathetic, and persuasive, able to connect comfortably with a wide range of constituents, from students and parents to alumni and trustees.
• Superb communicator and storyteller, skilled in articulating mission, vision, and impact across multiple channels and audiences.
• Data-informed and goal-oriented, with sound judgment, integrity, and discretion in handling confidential matters.
• A collaborative, collegial leader who values teamwork, transparency, and accountability.
• Creative, energetic, and resilient, able to navigate complexity and inspire others toward ambitious institutional goals.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Strong commitment to a K-12 education and to the mission of an independent boys’ school.
• Ability and willingness to participate fully in a dynamic all-boys day school located in New York City.  
• Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing. 
• Exceptional storytelling ability and the capacity to articulate a compelling case for support.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to engage a wide range of constituencies, including the Head of School, senior administrators, faculty, staff, students, trustees, alumni, parents and friends of the School.
• Ability to motivate, manage, and develop a high-quality advancement team.
• Strong strategic thinking, judgment, discretion and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to earn the trust and confidence of faculty, administration, staff, families, trustees, alumni and donors.
• Data-informed and goal-oriented approach to fundraising and engagement.
• Ability to manage confidential information with integrity and professionalism.

The ideal candidate will be mission-driven, collaborative, and relationship-oriented, with a genuine passion for independent school education and a deep belief in the transformative power of community and philanthropy. The Director of Advancement should be a strategic thinker and systems builder who can integrate development, communications, engagement and stewardship into a cohesive advancement program. This individual should be an authentic and persuasive communicator, an effective manager and a trusted partner to the Head of School and Board of Trustees. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate impeccable integrity, sound judgment, an extraordinary work ethic, and an optimistic, collaborative leadership style. They must also possess the ability and willingness to act decisively when needed and a strong commitment to helping build and sustain a diverse, just, inclusive and equitable academic environment.

A thorough background check including a criminal background check is required as a condition of employment.

About Collegiate School

Collegiate is a K-12 independent boys’ school, led by Head of School Bodie Brizendine, located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. We are a small school of 666 students housed in one building, giving us a unique sense of community and camaraderie. Students travel through 3 divisions, Lower (K-4), Middle (5-8) and Upper (9-12). Our student/teacher ratio is 6:1, with over 76% of our faculty having advanced degrees, allowing for close relationships and excellent, engaging teaching. The total number of school employees includes 160 full time plus 50+ part-time coaches, after school instructors. Our school was founded in 1628. Over the years it has moved around the city, with our last location of over 125 years being at 77th Street and Broadway. We moved into our new facility at 301 Freedom Place South and 61st Street in 2018. Our building, designed and built exclusively for our use, provides students with state-of-the-art classrooms, a 40,000-book library, two gymnasiums, a full theater and a blackbox, along with two outdoor spaces. All our work is driven by our statement of beliefs and our values. We believe that we are at our best when all members of the school community conduct the...mselves with respect, kindness, and integrity. We believe that the traditions and values of this old but not old-fashioned school can inspire boys to develop their individual capacities for personal and academic excellence. We believe that boys learn best when they are members of a diverse and just community that fosters purposeful and spirited engagement, inquiry, and collaboration in academics, athletics, and the arts. We believe that a liberal arts education committed to diligent and discerning scholarship prepares students to be citizens who act with conscience, courage, and compassion. The school’s financial profile includes an annual operating budget (2023) $45M, an endowment of $75M and $5.6M in financial aid being awarded in 2023.

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