Director of Development

Philadelphia, PA
Network Support – Development /
Full-Time Immediate /
On-site
About Mastery:

Founded in 2001, Mastery Schools is a public charter network of 24 K-12 schools in Philadelphia and Camden, serving more than 14,000 students. 

At Mastery, we’re on a mission to provide all students with the academic and personal skills they need to succeed after graduation and pursue their dreams. Student achievement is not just a goal for our organization; it's the reason we exist, and every member of our team is dedicated to securing student success. We are also committed to pursuing equity, actively disrupting systemic racism, and addressing the disparities that limit our students' choices. 

Our culture is built on respect, service, and the belief that the success of our students, their families, and the communities we serve will help us achieve our mission. We foster a positive, open, and inclusive environment where honesty, humor, and continuous improvement are celebrated. 

Join us in creating a model urban school district that serves all students with excellence. Together, we can make a lasting impact.

Position Summary:

The Director of Development manages individual, corporate, and foundation giving. The Director works with the Chief of Staff to craft and implement an annual development strategy for the organization and ensures success through effective management of the following functions: donor communications, tax credit programs, corporate and foundation cultivation; fundraising logistics, events and donor management systems. The Director works to develop and maintain specific donor relationships to further the organization’s mission and manage the back-office functions of the development team. The Director of Development supports the Mastery network in securing the financial support necessary to ensure the success of Mastery in achieving its mission, strategic plan, campaigns, and programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

    • Development
    • Manage and execute against Mastery’s annual giving strategies, including donor cultivation, major gifts, federal and state tax credit programs (e.g., EITC and OSTC) and estate planning.
    • Create avenues to broaden the general donor base and deepen relationships with existing donors
    • Prospect, secure, and grow corporate and foundation contributions
    • Work with the Communications team to develop an annual donor communications strategy, including materials for donor updates and newsletters, content for solicitations, annual report, etc.
    • Oversee development logistics of donor tracking/database management in Raiser’s Edge, including stewardship activities
    • Coordinate with finance and accounting to ensure detailed & accurate tracking of contribution revenue
    • Supervise (1) development team member.

    • Board Relations
    • Support the Chief of Staff in managing multiple Mastery Schools boards of trustees, including Board development, giving and meeting administration.
    • Serve as a partner in strategic board development to optimize programmatic and annual fund alignment.

Qualifications:

    • Exceptional verbal and written storyteller
    • Proven experience securing five-figure and larger contributions
    • Ability to execute; great track record of getting things done
    • Ability to plan and execute top-notch, engaging events
    • Excellent interpersonal skills; can build relationships
    • Excellent organizational skills
    • Expert in Raiser’s Edge
    • CFRE preferred

Education and Experience:

    • Bachelor’s Degree required
    • Minimum of 5 years in nonprofit development, preferably in the education sector, with proven results.

Physical/Environmental:

    • Ability to physically perform the essential duties of the role as required, and to work in the environmental conditions required, such as: traveling to network campuses; maneuvering in office spaces (including standing, walking, sitting for long periods of time, speaking loudly and clearly, seeing and hearing things both near and far away); stooping, kneeling, reaching file cabinets/shelves; fine finger and hand manipulation in use of computer, chalkboard, dry erase, &/or projectors; filing, faxing, scanning, coping, typing, mailing, and making phone calls; sitting for up to two (2) hours looking at a computer monitor, using a keyboard/mouse, and typing.

Other Requirements:

    • Position requires local &/or regional travel to Mastery and other sites. Must have valid driver’s license and vehicle, or access to reliable transportation.
Mastery's Benefits Package:

We offer a full benefits program and opportunities for professional growth. Some of our most popular benefits include our 403(b) retirement plan for PA employees (with a 5% match from Mastery), enrollment in the State of New Jersey Pension Plan for NJ employees, a robust Employee Assistance Program, mental health and counseling programs, an annual Professional Development Fund, and discounts and perks at a myriad of retailers, travel organizations, insurance providers, and so much more, as well as a Benefits VIP Helpdesk to help you navigate various benefits-related topics!

Please go here to see all of our Benefits offerings!

Mastery's Annual Calendar:

As you plan to make Mastery your new work home, please feel free to review our PA Academic Calendar for SY 23/24 and our NJ Academic Calendar for SY 23/24. We like to think our calendar is a benefit of working here too!

Mastery Charter Schools is an equal opportunity employer and actively encourages applications from people of all backgrounds. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience.