Director of Advancement – Wake County Smart Start

“Free the child’s potential, and you will transform him into the world.” 
-Maria Montessori 

Do you believe that learning begins at birth and all children deserve the best opportunities for learning and development? Do you value diversity, inclusive practices, and support community empowerment? Do you believe that collaboration and a strong, united voice is essential to accomplish a vision? 

Do you excel in a collaborative team that is driven by mission and leans into each person’s expertise? Are you ready to lead with your experience and invite others to invest in the mission of Wake County Smart Start? Do you enjoy building a relationship-based development program? Are you the next Director of Advancement for Wake County Smart Start? 

Why? 
Wake County Smart Start works to improve the quality, accessibility, and affordability of childcare, provide preventive health and early intervention services, and offer family support services—all delivered as part of a strong, diverse, integrated early childhood system. 

The work is truly collaborative! Wake County Smart Start’s funded partners provide direct services for children and their families. Community volunteers, staff members, childcare providers, schools, civic organizations, and local businesses all strive to realize Wake County Smart Start’s mission and build a strong foundation for children’s learning and development beginning at birth. 

Wake County Smart Start was officially formed in 1996 as part of a statewide, public/private partnership, The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., with a goal to “make North Carolina’s schools the best in America.” With an annual budget of $33M, 47 professionals on staff, and 18 members on its board, Wake County Smart Start is looking to increase philanthropic investment to increase impact. The State of North Carolina is the largest source of funding with additional County, corporate, and foundation partners supporting the work. 

Want to know more? Visit Wake County Smart Start’s website at https://www.wakesmartstart.org/.   

What will you do as Wake County Smart Start’s next Director of Advancement? 
The Director of Advancement will lead the creation and implementation of a comprehensive fundraising plan to increase, diversify, and sustain contribution and grant revenue in order to further the mission of Wake County Smart Start. Primary responsibilities of the position include: 

• Develop and drive a relationship-based development plan in partnership with the Executive Director, board, and staff.  
• Continue to develop the case for support to align with the strategic vision and values of the organization while inspiring connection and investment. 
• Oversee the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donor constituent groups including individuals, corporations, and foundations, engaging staff and board members in execution. 
• Manage a personal portfolio of donors with the capacity to make significant gifts of $5,000 and above, resulting in direct face-to-face solicitations.  
• Manage the annual fund strategy and execute in partnership with the Communications Manager. 
• Manage the organizational grant process by identifying opportunities, making connections to develop relationships with funders, and facilitating the preparation, submission, and reporting of applications. Build an organizational process by which leadership agrees on which grants to pursue.  
• Create and implement a formal stewardship plan to further engage donors in the mission and honor their investments.  
• Guide the strategy and execution of special giving opportunities. 
• Share stories of impact to motivate volunteers, board members, donors, and partners in ways that inspire support for the agency while protecting client confidentiality. 
• Build the reputation and exposure of the organization through community outreach and networking.  
• Serve as a member of the leadership team, bringing a philanthropic lens to organizational strategies and helping to ensure strong staff relations and fulfilment of mission, vision, and core values. 
• Serve as staff liaison to the Advancement Committee and leverage committee members to implement donor engagement and stewardship strategy and meet fundraising goals. 
• Oversee maintenance of proper records and data in the donor database on donors and relationships. 

Key lived experiences, attributes, and skillsets sought in the Director of Advancement 

• At least 5 years of proven leadership of a comprehensive growth-oriented development program with successful face-to-face solicitations of five- and six-figure major gifts. 
• Preference is a leader who has built a development framework from conception to growth.  
• Organized and detailed-oriented with commitment to conducting development with integrity and the highest ethical standards.  
• Able to build and lead a collaborative team with confidence and humility. 
• Proven track record of communicating nonprofit impact while protecting client identity and centering clients and impacted communities.  
• Ability to articulate, verbally and in writing, a passion for the mission.  
• Ability to connect with individuals from all walks of life with cultural humility, honoring diversity of identity and lived experience. 
• Success building relationships with teammates and members of the community who can personally invest, or who can influence individual, foundation, or corporate giving.  
• Compassionate connector who intentionally engages the community to increase awareness of the organization.  
• Success working with a nonprofit board of directors and fundraising committees. 
• Demonstrated understanding of data-informed fundraising efforts and CRM database experience.   
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission, vision, and values of Wake County Smart Start. 

Think you are the next Wake County Smart Start Director of Advancement? 
To apply, click on the link to the Director of Advancement position profile at ArmstrongMcGuire.com/jobs. You will see instructions for uploading your compelling cover letter, resume, salary requirements, and professional references.  Please provide all requested information to be considered. In case of any technical problems, contact talent@armstrongmcguire.com. No phone calls, please, and no applications will be accepted by email or directly from third-party posting sites. 

Salary is commensurate with the requirements of the position with a range of $90K to $100K. Wake County Smart Start operates in a hybrid work environment. Benefits include health insurance (100% employer paid for employee); 403(b) retirement plans; and PTO. 

Wake County Smart Start actively seeks a diverse pool of candidates. Wake County Smart Start is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity. 

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