Executive Director, Donor Experience

Position: Executive Director, Donor Experience

Campus: Home/Central Office (On-Site)

Reports to: Chief Advancement Officer
 

United Schools (United) is a nonprofit organization in Columbus, Ohio. After founding its first school in 2008, it has worked together with incredible leaders to open three more schools in the span of ten years. Each United campus is an open enrollment, public charter school that works diligently to close the opportunity gap in Columbus. Moreover, the mission of all United campuses is to transform lives and our communities through the power of education, while maintaining our vision: For every child, an open door. 

United currently operates two high-performing elementary schools (K-5) and two high-performing middle schools (6-8) that serve more than 900 students. We strive to provide students with a rigorous academic experience in a joyful learning environment, and we work hard to ensure that students of all levels grow and succeed by focusing on intentional student support and continual improvement. 

Position Description & Key Responsibilities

The Executive Director, Donor Experience (EDDE) is responsible for developing and stewarding key relationships to provide significant gift support for United Schools. Under the leadership and guidance of the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), the EDDE is responsible for designing, developing, implementing, and refining United’s major gift program. This new role will activate and advance United’s cases for support, directly aligning it with the organization’s strategic plan. The EDDE will apply exceptional organizational discipline and communication expertise to connect donor interests with United’s highest-impact priorities. By translating philanthropic passion into strategic investment, the EDDE will work in tandem with the CAO to drive significant, sustained annual support that strengthens its major gifts pipeline and fuels United’s long-term vision. Through compelling storytelling, intentional relationship-building, and rigorous execution, the EDDE will accelerate funding for strategic growth, expand school choice in Columbus, and support the systems, schools, and communities outlined in United’s plans, ensuring that more students and families experience transformational public education and lasting opportunity through United’s open doors.

Major Giving, Stewardship, & Events:

• Manage all major gift relationships from scheduling to portfolio assignment and management.
• Qualify and maintain a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects. 
• Assist with scheduling and leading tours and meetings with current and potential donors and volunteers.
• Develop and implement individual goals and a time-bound strategy for the discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of each donor.
• Work collaboratively on moves management strategy and solicitation; meet annual budgets and goals.
• Work collaboratively on major donor stewardship strategies and opportunities.
• Assist with the development and execution of meaningful events, including but not limited to galas, grant activity celebrations, breakfast tours, fundraisers, and donor stewardship volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer Relations:

• Lead major donor volunteer activities that engage constituents and support school-based initiatives.
• Coordinate with school leadership on major donor volunteer placement and activities.

Other duties as assigned by the CAO: 

• This description is representative of the position requirements and is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Joining Our Team

United Core Traits:

1. Mission-Driven. Team members believe deeply in the United mission: to transform lives and our communities through the power of education.
2. Growth Mindset. Team members believe in their ability, and the ability of all students, to grow and improve.
3. Relationship-Driven. Team members get proximate to students, families, and colleagues to develop authentic relationships that inform work in the classroom.
4. Conscientiousness. Team members are professional, reliable, diligent, and pay attention to detail. 
5. Emotionally Constant. Team members maintain a sense of calm while addressing a number of priorities.

Qualifications:

• Holds a B.A./B.S. degree; advanced degree preferred.
• Has five+ years of demonstrated experience in philanthropic work with a deep understanding of and successful experience with the nonprofit and/or education sectors.
• Demonstrated experience in cultivating and soliciting prospects capable of five and six-figure gifts.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Exceptional leadership and management skills to inspire, lead, and work closely with members of multiple teams.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, energy, and enthusiasm with the ability to build long-term relationships and represent the organization to external audiences with a high degree of professionalism.
• Proven capacity to solve problems and identify key strategic insights that advance the goals of the organization. 
• Self-starter with strong organizational and project management skills and strong attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize time to complete projects with many deadlines and competing requirements.
• Comfortability with Google products for effective communication and completion of job responsibilities.

Terms of Employment

• Applications will be considered immediately with a start date targeted for mid-February.
• This is a full-time position. 
• Report times are typically Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., although some job-related tasks can be expected outside of these hours.
• Salary: The starting salary for a new Executive Director with a Bachelor’s degree is $95,000. The starting salary for other applicants will depend on professional experience and education level.
• Benefits: 
  • Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage 
  • Employees are eligible to participate in the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS) or the School Employees Retirement System of Ohio (SERS).
• All United campuses are Equal Opportunity Employers.

Apply online at unitedschools.org/join.