Northstar promotes educational excellence and career opportunities for students with disabilities who have academic, physical, or social challenges. Since 1996, Northstar has been serving young people with a wide variety of learning differences. They serve students in grades K-12 at the Academy and provide vocational training for young adults ages 16-24 through the Northstar Career Center.

Responsibilities: 

As the Director of Development at Northstar, you will be responsible for:

1. Development and implementation of Northstar Academy’s (NSA) development strategy for achieving fundraising goals and engaging sponsors.
2. Cultivating new individual donors.
3. Collaborating with the Communications & Marketing Director for marketing, public relations, and communications strategies to increase community awareness and strengthen key relationships.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead Northstar’s Development function.
• Work with the Head of School (HOS) and the development committee to create the fundraising plan and budget.
• Cultivate, nurture, maintain, and grow individual, corporate, and foundation donor base.
• Work with individual board members to introduce potential donors to Northstar.
• Work with Board committees to provide training, support, and/or information.
• Ensure accurate documentation of major gift solicitation plans and activities in Northstar’s data management system.
• Coordinate the composing, editing, and publishing of fundraising reports and solicitation pieces.
• Coordinate events, recruit and engage staff, board, and others in fundraising efforts (general fund, capital gifts, scholarships) and events (Gala, luncheons, open houses, etc.).
• Work with the Head of School and members of the Campaign Committee and Board to cultivate prospects and schedule meetings with prospective donors.
• Manage and oversee grant submissions and reports and coordinate with HOS and Director of Finance.
• Work collaboratively with Development associates and other Northstar staff.
• Possess exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact well with donors and colleagues and to motivate volunteers.
• Collaborate with the Communications & Marketing Director to further the mission of Northstar by increasing brand awareness, enhancing the image, and ensuring regular contact with target constituents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Participate in the Leadership Team:

• Along with the Head of School and other key members of school administration, serve as a part of the School’s leadership team to create a community that leads to success for Northstar’s students.
• Report to the Head of School regularly about ongoing and possible projects, upcoming events/activities, weekly meetings, and accomplishment of goals.
• Work collaboratively to support the faculty and staff.

Success in the job will be measured by the following:

• Ability to be a team-player with a positive “can-do” attitude, flexibility, high degree of initiative, and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated increase in donor base and engagement with donors.
• Demonstrated ability to meet development targets - raise NSA budget (increase general fund, scholarships, gifts, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and demonstrate success in development strategies and implementing marketing strategies with positive outcomes consistent with the mission, philosophy, and Strategic plan of Northstar.
• Increased awareness of NSA in the Central Virginia community demonstrated by quantitative results of implemented development and marketing strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to work in partnership with the Head of School, Board of Directors, and NSA administration.
• Demonstrated ability to possess strong verbal communication skills and strong partnership-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated number of personal contacts, email contacts, calls to prospective donors.

Required Qualifications:

• Required Education, Experience, Expertise, Skills:
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, public relations, or related field. Non-profit training or development training preferable.
  • Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in Development. Additional experience in marketing, communications, or public relations preferred.
  • Skills: The ability to develop and maintain a strategic perspective based on the needs of Northstar while promoting and advancing the direction of NSA based on the collaborative decision-making of the Head of School, Board of Directors, subcommittees, and school administration.
  • Applicants considered for employment must successfully complete the following background investigations/tests:
    • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal History Investigation
    • State Police Criminal History Investigation
    • Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigation
    • Tuberculosis Screening/Test