Job Title: Director of The Baron Fund

Department: Advancement

Reports to: Associate Head of School for External Affairs

FLSA Status: Exempt

The Opportunity

Blue Ridge School is an all-boys, all-boarding college-preparatory school serving 190 students on a 751-acre campus situated along the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Just 20 miles from Charlottesville, Virginia, Blue Ridge School is innovative in its approach to educating young men. Passionate teachers, small classes, strong relationships, lots of opportunities to participate in athletics and co-curricular activities, and a rigorous but supportive college prep curriculum, empower Blue Ridge graduates to thrive in college and beyond. With an average class size of 9 students and teacher autonomy, faculty members are able to help each student discover the best way to master the course material, and challenge each student to reach beyond self-determined limits and fulfill his untapped potential.

All salaried employees at Blue Ridge have dormitory and coaching responsibilities beyond primary roles. As such, BRS faculty are more deeply involved in their work than in a more typical vocation, and often enjoy an added satisfaction only achieved when working with students inside and outside the classroom. 

The Director of The Baron Fund’s core roles are two:

• Leadership of a $750,000+ annual fund program that typically includes 1,000+/- donors from around the globe.
• Coordination of related alumni programs including Alumni Weekend, Spring Alumni Lacrosse, and support of the Alumni Leadership Council, each of which supports the Baron Fund.  

The Director works collaboratively alongside a talented team of colleagues, including the Associate Headmaster for External Affairs, Senior Director of Institutional Advancement, Database Administrator, and Advancement Office Manager. 

The ability to travel and thoughtfully represent Blue Ridge School to its constituents across America is an essential element of this position. The opportunity to live on the BRS campus may be available.

The Ideal Candidate

• A minimum of three years’ experience in college or school external affairs or related activities.
• Exemplary written and verbal communication skills.
• Working knowledge of databases - experience in Blackbaud/Raiser’s Edge preferred.
• Experience in utilizing social media for professional purposes.
• Solid skills with Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Facebook. 
• High degree of professionalism with sound judgment and keen attention to detail.
• A motivated self-starter with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, handling multiple assignments in a busy department while meeting deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an engaging manner, with the ability to build and foster relationships within the BRS community.
• A valid driver’s license and good driving record.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

THE BARON FUND 

• Lead all aspects of The Baron Fund across all constituencies, including direct mail, personal solicitations, marketing plans, and reporting.
• Craft an annual plan for the AF each year with budget recommendations.
• Design and implement a variety of initiatives within the Baron Fund, including monthly renewals, Calendar-year end and Fiscal year-end campaigns, reunion giving programs, alumni, and parent fundraising events, LYBUNT and SYBUNT initiatives, etc. 

• Specifically maintain relationships with 75-100 assigned prospects as a part of a larger BRS Advancement prospect management system.  
• On average, individually contact 20+ donors per day through email, phone and social media. 
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Communications and outside vendors to craft promotional and communication tools.
• Assist in identifying Major Donor prospects and help coordinate annual giving within a comprehensive campaign that will run through 2030/31. 
• Closely coordinate with the larger External Affairs team on a regular basis. 

ALUMNI PROGRAMS

• Work with volunteers/colleagues to set direction and implement activities which support The Baron Fund.
• When opportune, promote Reunion Giving to selected honored alumni classes.
• Act as a catalyst in helping BRS alumni stay in touch with each other. 
• Monitor and provide periodic updates for the alumni portions of the BRS website, in coordination with the Director of Communications. 

GENERAL

• Keep detailed notes of actions and contacts; be sure that appropriate information is tracked in Advancement databases.
• Participate in weekly meetings with the Advancement staff and be ever diligent in keeping all aware of any issues/opportunities that could impact the department. 
• Remain aware of all stewardship efforts with donors of all types and levels. 
• Partner with Admission Directors to support their efforts whenever reasonable, particularly in travel and event planning.    

• Respond to internal inquiries and constituent requests as needed.
• Demonstrate continued professional curiosity and growth.
• Participate in BRS social and sporting activities, clubs and student organizations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Associate Headmaster for External Affairs.

Why Work at Blue Ridge School?

Whether you’re an educator, administrator, or support person, a career at Blue Ridge School can bring the meaning you seek in your work. You’ll work in an incredibly beautiful campus setting helping to shape the lives of diverse young men from many cultures and communities. You’ll enjoy a work environment that stresses collaboration and innovation. And you’ll be immersed in the Blue Ridge culture—one that is focused on family, community, and mutual support.

Eighty percent of our faculty live on campus; and on-campus housing is provided for many positions. All employees have access to many other unique benefits, including:

• Access to BRS fitness facilities and wilderness trails
• Meals in the dining hall for you, your family, and your guests
• A comprehensive and highly competitive benefits package with generous support for professional development and continuing education
• Structured mentorship, collaborative professional development, and support for educators at every career stage; Blue Ridge fosters a culture of innovation and collegiality.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some climbing and balancing; frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 70% sitting, 15% walking, and 15% standing.  The job is performed under minimal temperature variations and under conditions with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.

About Blue Ridge School

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