DEERFIELD ASSOCIATES______Executive Search, Inc
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DEERFIELD ASSOCIATES______________________________________________________________________ Executive Search, Inc. DEERFIELD ASSOCIATES Executive Search, Inc. has been retained by Boston University Academy, located in Boston, Massachusetts, to conduct a national search for a Director of Institutional Advancement. Boston University Academy Director of Institutional Advancement An academically rigorous independent high school on Boston University’s campus, Boston University Academy (BUA) offers students who love learning both a traditional, caring independent school experience and access to a broad range of Boston University courses. BUA is the only high school in New England that is part of a major research university. Small class sizes and close relationships with BUA faculty allow students to nurture their talents. In the eleventh and twelfth grades, students follow their passions by regularly completing up to twelve courses from Boston University’s undergraduate curriculum, earning credit that they can apply to their undergraduate experience at top colleges around the country, including BU, where BUA students in good standing gain automatic admission. The school’s 202 students are curious, capable, and kind. Students come from 55 cities and towns in the Greater Boston area. 57% of students identify as students of color. Standardized test scores place BUA’s students at the top of the competitive set, with median SAT scores typically topping 1420. 31% of students receive financial aid -- a reflection of BUA’s commitment to equity and access. The entrepreneurial BUA advancement team collaborates closely with BU’s Development and Alumni Relations office, leveraging those resources for research, event planning, planned giving, and stewardship. In 2018, BUA celebrated its 25th anniversary year, which culminated in a gala celebration with 350 attendees including alumni, current and former parents, faculty, staff, and friends. BUA’s Mission: In our caring high-school community, students who love learning are challenged to think critically and read deeply, and to explore adventurously the wider world of learning at Boston University. For more information please visit www.buacademy.org Boston University Academy -2- Director of Institutional Advancement The Position This is an excellent opportunity for an entrepreneurial, high energy, team-oriented, academically curious, ambitious, front-line advancement professional for whom no task is too big or too small and who is excited to build a program with a dynamic leadership team. The Director will be in the unique position to leverage the advancement resources of a major research university – Boston University’s Development and Alumni Relations office – particularly around research, stewardship, event planning, and planned giving. The Director of Institutional Advancement reports to the Head of School and has two primary functions: first, to lead and implement BUA’s fundraising operations, which include annual giving, capital, endowment, planned giving, and stewardship programs; second, strategic oversight of Institutional Advancement efforts—fundraising, constituent relations, and marketing and communications. The Director of Institutional Advancement will oversee the preparation and planning for, and ultimately the execution of, BUA’s first-ever comprehensive campaign in the near future. Candidates must possess strong strategic and tactical project management skills and should have at least seven years of relevant development experience. Key Responsibilities Oversight and implementation of the school’s fundraising operations, which include annual giving, capital, endowment, planned giving, and stewardship programs. Activities include but are not limited to: identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors; continuing to develop the school’s major gifts program; designing and executing prospect and donor moves management strategies; creating and implementing short- and long-term fundraising plans; in coordination with the Director of Alumni Relations, creating programs, events, and communications designed to increase alumni engagement and philanthropic support; developing and maintaining department budgets; overseeing daily operations including database and gift acknowledgment processes; and recruiting and staffing volunteers. Strategic oversight for coordinating Boston University Academy’s Institutional Advancement efforts—fundraising, constituent relations, and marketing and communications. Maintaining the model of a single, ongoing relationship that begins with an admission inquiry and ends when a donor gives a planned gift to the school. The Director of Institutional Advancement has three direct reports (Director of Alumni Relations; Associate Director of Institutional Advancement for Marketing and Communications; Assistant Director of Institutional Advancement) and collaborates closely with the Director of Admission and other institutional advancement team members to enact that vision. Ensure excellence and consistency in branding, messaging, and print and electronic collateral. Serve on the Leadership and Administrative Team in the leadership of BUA. Serve as liaison to the BUA Head of School’s Advisory Board. Collaborate with colleagues in the central Boston University Development and Alumni Relations office on integration of BUA efforts in broader institutional initiatives. Boston University Academy -3- Director of Institutional Advancement Professional Qualifications The ideal candidate would have the following professional qualifications: Seven years of development experience, preferably with an independent school and/or in higher education Significant experience cultivating and soliciting major gifts, preferably within a campaign environment A firm understanding of organizing and soliciting for annual support Strong familiarity with best practices in development Experience working in development databases Ability to manage the Head of School’s development docket Experience crafting long-range strategies and development plans Experience with strategic marketing and communications Proven leadership of people and projects Entrepreneurial spirit and mindset Experience building and managing teams Ability and interest in utilizing tremendous resources offered by the Boston University Development and Alumni Relations office Ability and interest in leveraging technology to accomplish department goals Embrace a metrics-based approach to fundraising Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred Personal Qualities Sound judgment, ability to assess and prioritize competing demands Ability to excel as an engaging, high-level front-line fund-raiser Ability to build relationships with donors, cultivate, solicit, and close major gifts Highly organized: able to juggle many duties simultaneously while identifying and focusing on the mission-critical tasks, i.e., ability to get things done Flexible, adaptable, and proactive with an entrepreneurial spirit; willing to take risks Excellent interpersonal skills (in person and by phone), communication skills (verbal and written), and organizational skills Self-confidence, poise, presence, and a sense of humor Ability to listen, to learn, to delegate, and to work collaboratively Commitment to fostering an inclusive, equitable community Strong work ethic, determination, stamina, and abundant energy Vision, empathy, creativity, and imagination High level of energy and an excellent customer service ethic Ability to recruit, motivate, challenge, support, evaluate, and mentor talented staff Belief in, commitment to, and ability to articulate BUA’s mission Willingness to travel and work some evenings and weekends Boston University Academy -4- Director of Institutional Advancement Chris Kolovos Incoming Head of School Chris Kolovos will begin as Boston University Academy’s Head of School in July 2020. He currently serves as the Associate Head of school at Greens Farms Academy, an independent, pre-K-12 day school in Westport, CT, which has earned distinction for a rigorous, innovative, globally-minded curriculum that incorporates the surrounding ecosystems, the latest digital tools, and a student-centered approach to teaching and learning. In his seven years at Greens Farms Academy, Mr. Kolovos has overseen the school’s academic program, from faculty hiring and professional development to curriculum and accreditation; directed major institutional efforts to strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion; spearheaded the creation of a new schedule, service-learning program, and faculty evaluation system; and led the adoption of new courses focused on STEM, sustainability, global studies, and social justice. He also partners with the Head of School on all institutional issues: strategic planning, budget, facilities, legal matters, personnel decisions, development, and special projects. Mr. Kolovos previously served as Director of Global Education at Belmont Hill School in Belmont, MA, where he chaired the history department and designed programs around global citizenship. In that capacity, he worked with development team to secure $450K in endowed gifts to support global initiatives. Mr. Kolovos is a native of Boston. He attended Roxbury Latin School and then Harvard College, where he graduated magna cum laude with an AB in history. He later earned a law degree at Harvard, while serving as coordinating editor of the Harvard Law Review. Boston University Academy -5- Director of Institutional