POSITION: Director of Development and Communications
REPORTS TO: Executive Director
WAGE/HOUR STATUS: Exempt/12 month
Mission: Educating and inspiring a diverse community of K-12 learners by engaging them in rigorous real-world learning experiences which prioritize intellectual, social and emotional growth.
Vision: Tapestry is a vibrant, sustainable school that empowers learners and leaders to make a positive impact in our communities and beyond.
Values: Perseverance, Integrity, Respect & Responsibility
Goals: The Director of Development and Communications is responsible for leading the school's fundraising efforts as well as the strategic marketing and communications efforts necessary to ensure that the broader community continues to embrace the innovative educational model provided by Tapestry.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Director of Development and Communication ensures that Tapestry can continue to provide its students and families with a world-class K-12 educational experience. The Director of Development and Communications (DDS) helps to make this possible by leading all aspects of the school's donor engagement and solicitation program-including annual and major gifts work, foundation relationships and grant applications. The DDS also builds and implements a strategic communications plan that ensures that community members are aware of the innovative educational model provided by Tapestry and its positive impact on the Buffalo community. The DDS is a key member of Tapestry's K-12 leadership team, Compass.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Fundraising and Donor Engagement
- Plans and executes a comprehensive program to maximize philanthropic support from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
- Meets annual fundraising goals and budgets in collaboration with the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, aligned with short- and long-term strategic objectives.
- Leads all fundraising efforts on behalf of the school, including annual fund appeals, capital campaigns, planned giving, donor relations, and grant research and writing.
- Works closely with the Executive Director to pursue a coordinated and strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plan for annual and major gift prospects and donors.
- Develops and implements an annual giving strategy with one-year, five-year, and long-term goals.
- Maintains and continually expands a database of prospective financial donors, including individuals, corporations, and foundations.
- Creates and executes strategic, donor-centered fundraising plans aligned with school goals, producing measurable, results-oriented outcomes.
- Develops a systematic annual operations plan that addresses both immediate and long-term development needs.
- Oversees stewardship activities including ongoing donor communications, recognition events, and personalized outreach.
- In collaboration with the Executive Assistant and Director of Special Projects, designs and manages an annual calendar of fundraising events that align with the school's goals.
- Partners with the Executive Director to clarify the roles that different stakeholders play in fundraising events, including by clarifying the role of the DDS and how the DDS partners with campuses to support ongoing fundraising efforts
- Manages an annual development income and expense budget, providing timely, accurate, and comprehensive reports on revenue and expenses to the Executive Director.
- Works with the Board's Development Committee to develop new fundraising initiatives and enhance donor engagement efforts.
Marketing and Communications
- Oversees and directs the school's marketing, branding, and communications strategies to raise awareness and drive engagement.
- Develops an integrated marketing plan that supports fundraising, special events, and community engagement initiatives.
- Manages the organization's presence across digital platforms, including website, email marketing, and social media channels, to communicate impact and build relationships with donors and stakeholders.
- Leads the creation of content and collateral that support fundraising appeals, donor reports, press releases, newsletters, and other external communications.
- Ensures consistent brand messaging across all platforms and materials, reinforcing the mission and values of the organization.
- Works in close collaboration with schools, central office staff, and Compass leadership to ensure marketing initiatives align with organizational priorities and effectively tell the story of the school's impact on students, families and the city of Buffalo.
- Strengthens internal communications by producing a K-12 staff newsletter that celebrates the work of our students, families and staff while also providing staff with important information about upcoming school events.
- Attends meetings of the Tapestry Community Association parent organization to provide ongoing support with fundraising initiatives and to ensure strong communication with Tapestry families
Collaboration with Compass Leadership
- Continuously invests leaders and staff in a shared vision for how development and communications department can support the school to achieve its mission
- Delivers presentations to the Tapestry Board of Trustees to describe the school's progress towards meeting its fundraising and development targets and the progress of any capital campaign.
- Attends key school events to support staff, better understand the unique identity of Tapestry and to learn how to best tell Tapestry's story to a variety of external stakeholders
- Serves as a member of Tapestry's K-12 Compass leadership team
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, education or related field required.
- At least 2 prior years of successful experience working in development and communications.
- Demonstrated ability to develop, cultivate and maintain strong relationships.
- Ability to take strong photographs and compelling video at to continuously strengthen an organization's ability to communicate effectively about its work
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Unwavering belief that supporting Tapestry's students and staff can help strengthen the broader Buffalo community.
- Knowledge of best practices in development, marketing and communications, including the use of social media to drive awareness and engagement
- Excellent organization skills, including the ability to set priorities, manage their time, and ensure the successful completion of long-term projects
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate information verbally and in writing.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, including with a wide variety of diverse stakeholders.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work is performed primarily in an office environment, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Repetitive motion including walking, bending, standing. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers to complete typing, filing, and data entry. Required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading. Position requires talking, walking, driving, speaking and comprehension of complex matters.
The above job description is not a contractual or binding document; it is provided as a guide to the types of duties required to be undertaken. Duties may vary from time to time and this description is subject to review. Modifications will be made as needed to support changes in the business climate and requirements.
