Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Advancement is responsible for advancement operations and back-office activities at NESS, while also managing a portfolio of individual donors, prospects, and funders. The Assistant Director reports directly to and supports the Managing Director of Advancement and the Advancement department. The Assistant Director also works closely with NESS leadership and collaboratively with the entire NESS team.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the Managing Director, oversee aspects of operations of NESS's Advancement office:

• Serve as lead on the management of the Advancement CRM:

• Establish best practices to create policies and procedures for maintenance that ensure data hygiene

• Assist with daily gift entry, and prepare reports and files as needed

• Maintain detailed records of all donor/funder and prospect interactions in the CRM and other technology.

• Maintain the annual solicitation, event, outreach, and stewardship calendar to help ensure milestones and goals of various Advancement initiatives are successfully achieved.

• Support stewardship initiatives to recognize donors

• In conjunction with the Advancement Team, research current and prospective foundation partners, and assist in proposal writing and reporting.

• Assist in creating and managing new fundraising and donor relations initiatives such as lapsed donor campaigns, a recurring giving program, matching and corporate giving, impact reporting, and peer-to-peer giving campaigns.

• Nurture strong, ongoing relationships between NESS and its constituents, while also developing new relationships

• Serve on the Advancement Committee of the Board of Directors

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Serve as a front-line fundraiser managing a portfolio of 30-40 Annual giving prospects, foundations, and institutional funders.

• Follow a strategic approach for the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospects

• Engage donors and funders through personal visits, campus tours, outreach, and events to understand their interests, inclinations, and capacity

• Conduct or coordinate solicitations and stewardship activities, strategically and annually, for 100% of the portfolio

In partnership with the Managing Director, coordinate NESS signature and targeted events, including fundraising, auctions, donor recognition, and community celebrations:

• Utilize planning documents ranging from the initial project plans and budgets to event flows and briefing materials.

• Work with the NESS team to plan, organize, and execute successful Advancement events

• Coordinate work with external and internal audiences including staff, vendors, volunteers, and donors

• Partner closely with Marketing & Communications for materials related to events including external communications, printed materials, and social media outreach

• Work to identify, cultivate, solicit, retain, and acknowledge sponsorships for fundraising events

• Oversee event registration and management platform(s)

• Conduct all post-event activities including budgets, accounting, communications stewardship, and data updates/tracking.

Requirements

Education/Certifications

• Bachelor's degree

Skills/Knowledge/Experience

• Minimum 2-3 years of experience in fundraising, engagement, and constituent relations

• Proven ability to create and nurture relationships, and solicit gifts of $5,000 and above

• Ability to establish rapport with donors/funders quickly in a meaningful, professional manner

• Proven track record of managing successful solicitation and stewardship campaigns including digital, print, and social media

• Demonstrate discretion in dealing with confidential donor/funder information

• Practical knowledge of fundraising best practices, laws, and regulations

• Ability to work independently and cooperatively within a team environment

• Strong oral and written communication skills

• Experience with advancement technology (CRM, event/marketing, etc.) such as Donor Perfect, Candid, Instrumentl, and CauseVid; and the Microsoft Office Suite.

• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills

• Willingness to travel and work nights and weekends as needed

Compensation commensurate with experience and includes comprehensive benefits package.

NESS is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

About NESS: New England Science & Sailing Foundation (NESS) offers a unique education model that empowers students with leadership, teamwork, confidence, and problem-solving skills to ensure academic success. It is NESS's mission to empower students with a love of learning through ocean-based experiential programs that serve schools, teachers, and families. Our goal is to advance academic opportunities for K-12 students of all backgrounds in both urban and suburban markets. We hope you will play a role in helping us continue this important educational mission—in person, online, or on the water! This STEM-based curriculum includes marine science, sailing, power boating, and adventure sports. NESS is the first, and only, program of its kind to be accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). For more information, visit www.nessf.org (http://www.nessf.org)