Director of Advancement at The Fay School

Houston, Texas

The Opportunity

Founded on the principle of building a school “where children come first,” The Fay School serves approximately 300 students from 3 years old to Fifth Grade in the Uptown area of Houston, Texas. It is among the premier independent elementary and primary schools in the competitive Houston marketplace. 

By fostering their emotional intelligence and leadership development while providing ambitious teaching and learning, graduates of The Fay School gain admission into Houston’s most sought-after middle schools. 

A joyful educational oasis, the school sits on 8.5 acres of naturally landscaped property where children frequently learn and play in its beautiful outdoor settings. Many Fay families speak of their immediate calm as they drive onto the hidden campus, delivering their children to this unique child-focused learning environment. 

To adapt to the evolving education landscape and plan their direction for the foreseeable future, The Fay School partnered with Ian Symmonds & Associates, a leading firm in facilitating innovative strategic planning. Fay’s strategic planning took place during the 2019-2020 school year. The plan was unveiled with enthusiasm early in the 2020-2021 school year making this an exciting time to be a part of a community focused on the future of education and innovative thinking. Priorities in the plan have already come to life in tangible ways!

The Fay School seeks a Director of Advancement to begin by July of 2023 (or earlier) who will continue to inspire our school community by clearly and actively articulating its strategic priorities as it progresses on implementing its carefully crafted strategic plan. This is a stellar opportunity for an ambitious, caring, experienced, and visionary educational leader eager to join a forward-thinking school at a critical time in its history.

School Vision

Anchored to the vigor and rigor of our academic program, The Fay School’s Leadership Development Program distinguishes it from all other schools in Houston. The Fay School is grounded in emotional intelligence and human capital strategy, and its vision is to deliberately build and educate the next generation of leaders for our world. Our students experience leadership training and curriculum reserved for Fortune 500 companies, and they graduate from Fay with skills that will serve them for a lifetime.

School Mission

The Fay School is a nonsectarian, not-for-profit, co-educational school in which children of diverse talents and backgrounds with strong academic abilities are offered a high-quality education in a secure, enriching, and academically challenging environment. Here children learn and grow intellectually, physically, socially, ethically, and artistically while developing self-confidence and a lifelong love of learning through an active partnership among educators, parents, and students.

Core Values

At The Fay School, students learn what it means and how to become Prepared, Well-Rounded, and Articulate – three essential cornerstones for success as they move forward in life.

PREPARED.

Your child will inherit a world that is globalized, connected, diverse, and rapidly evolving. The Fay School prepares your child to meet that challenge in a culturally and ethnically diverse learning environment. In addition, our innovative teaching and learning techniques are future-focused and collaborative in nature. As a result, graduates of The Fay School are intrinsically motivated creative problem solvers who excel academically.

WELL-ROUNDED.

The ever-evolving world your child will inherit will require emotional intelligence to be successful; flexibility to successfully navigate unexpected change, confidence in times of ambiguity, and resilience in the face of persistent challenges. Well-roundedness emerges when children have opportunities to pivot their thinking in response to obstacles, when educators support, guide, and empower students to tackle any task at hand especially when there is no easy or obvious answer.

ARTICULATE.

Articulate interpersonal and intrapersonal communication styles drive how your child will impact the future world and those who they lead. Inclusive and specific word choice, personal presentation, and cultural fluency are paramount to your child’s leadership in tomorrow’s world.

Signature Programs and Differentiators

Leadership Development through Emotional Intelligence: A successful leader is someone who inspires growth in self and others.  This requires a high degree of Emotional Intelligence: self-awareness, self-regulation, self-motivation, social-awareness, and relationship skills.  The Fay School’s Leadership Development Program engages students to develop these abilities through reflection, study, communication, and real-world problem solving.  By providing opportunities to practice these skills across the curriculum, we cultivate their leadership to positively impact the world.

At Fay, we believe that the next century will undoubtedly be measured by the success of our relationships and our ability to communicate. The Fay School is committed to the development of these skills and to intentionally raise the next generation of leaders in our world.

Outdoor Education: The Fay School enjoys one of the most beautiful landscapes in the city of Houston, situated on the water just upstream of Buffalo Bayou Park with our very own habitat of abundant green space and nature trails in our 3-acre Fay Forest. The Fay School has a one-of-a-kind Outdoor Education program that cultivates both a love and understanding of nature and the potential to activate on an ethos of environmental responsibility. The Outdoor Education curriculum at Fay allows children a hands-on experience to explore and learn through nature. Children learn how to use tools to discover and gain a science-based understanding of plants and animals in our habitat. Equally as important, our students learn to appreciate the sensory aspect of our habitat, with exposure to art and poetry that is inspired by nature. Ask any child at The Fay School about Outdoor Education and watch them light up with joy and enthusiasm.

Ethnic Diversity: The Fay School’s nonsectarian mission, coupled with Houston’s status as one of the most diverse cities in the United Sates, allows for an inclusive student body that is over 34 percent racially/ethnically diverse by NAIS definition.

Experiential Education through Project-Based Learning: Project-based learning is a student-centered teaching methodology that involves a dynamic classroom approach where students acquire a deeper knowledge through active exploration of real-world challenges and problems. Our students talk about leadership and then put it into action! When students learn by doing and reflecting, they retain more information. By integrating active learning, our students practice leadership through outdoor adventures, team building activities, and simulations where theories or hypotheses are tested. Students’ grit and resolve are addressed through reflection practices. Guiding questions lead children to think deeply about themselves and academic topics.

Who Should Apply: Important Qualities and Qualifications

The Director of Advancement is the keeper of the brand and the storyteller of Fay’s past, present and future, uniting families, alumni, donors, and the larger Houston community. The Director of Advancement works closely with the Head of School and leads a small and excelling advancement staff (marketing, communications, admissions, enrollment management, extended day, and parent association) as they build a strong culture of philanthropy and vision delivery throughout the school and broader community. The goal of the Director of Advancement is to steward, design, and execute programs of giving that attract gift support of time, talent, treasure, and passion.

The chance to lead The Fay School’s Advancement Office and philanthropic efforts as its Director of Advancement is an exciting opportunity for two types of professionals:

1. An experienced development/advancement leader eager to tackle the future by leveraging Fay’s potential in ways that transform Fay’s position as a leading school in Houston to a school that is considered a national leader.
2. A rising star with ambition to become a head of their own school in 4-7 years through successful support and continued implementation of our strategic plan. This type of professional would have significant experience working as an administrator in an independent school setting as a division head, or in development, admissions, and enrollment management.

Professional Qualifications:

• Excellent academic credentials, including an advanced degree
• Significant experience as a successful fundraiser and brand ambassador
• Exceptional organizational and management skill, including the ability to hire well and mentor effectively
• A mastery of best practices in fundraising and program development
• Experience working with a dynamic team of leaders and educators
• Outstanding and highly responsive communication skills, written and oral
• Experience managing a budget

Leadership Style and Personal Characteristics:

• Demonstrated appreciation and care for elementary age and primary school children and eagerness to nurture their emotional intelligence, exuberance as learners, and leadership skills for the future
• An outgoing and socially adept administrator
• A visionary leader in 21^st century elementary education
• A decisive and sensitive administrator with excellent judgment and problem-solving skills
• A leader who can set high standards and energize the school community in pursuit of a common vision
• An educator or leader with a variety of interests and an appreciation of many perspectives
• An energetic, hands-on educator or leader with a natural ability to relate to elementary school aged students and their families
• A warm, engaging, and compassionate human being with a healthy sense of humor

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee all aspects of the development program, including fundraising, leading the established annual fund giving program, guiding capital campaign(s), soliciting corporate and foundational proposals; identifying and pursuing grants; and cultivating a community of dedicated giving.
  • Establish and execute forward-thinking development programs that optimally grow the annual, major, and capital campaign(s); legacy gifts; and planned-giving.
  • Identify, research, and spearhead the implementation of a diverse and multifaceted fundraising program to support the school’s strategic vision, cultivating a culture of giving and gratitude across all constituencies and socio-economic strata.
  • Identify corporate and foundation funding opportunities and help support grant applications.
  • Support the solicitation of major donors and nurture and maintain a highly collaborative relationship with the Head of School and individual board members, supporting them in all their fundraising responsibilities, and accompanying them on donor visits when appropriate.
  • Enhance existing relationships while building new relationships, systems, and programs that further tap the generosity and resources of the community.
  • Oversee management of development and donor activities including maintaining a donor database, providing development reports, completing an Annual Report, and other donor management activities as required.
  • Oversee the coordination of Fay’s volunteerism efforts to support community events and their alignment with the strategic plan’s priorities.
• Collaborate with the Principal’s Office to support the academic program and student life on campus.
• Collaborate with the Board of Trustees’ Advancement Committee to share information and report on fundraising efforts.
• Collaborate with the advancement office on annual marketing and campaign plans that engage internal and external constituents in the support and promotion of the school, especially as it innovates.
• Cultivate and oversee the alumni community and Parent Club to strengthen connection, engagement, and community support.
• Strengthen relationships with the school’s alumni and further develop alumni programming.
• Oversee the planning, organizing, and implementation of receptions, reunions, special education programs, and other alumni events.
• Create meaningful avenues for alumni participation in the life of the school.
• Support the Parent Club in their fund and friend-raising work and serve as the liaison between the Parent Club and the School.
• Lead and nurture the Advancement Team.
• Manage the development and event budgets.

The Houston Advantage:

With more jobs than the entire population of many states, wonderful diversity, expansive parks and trails, and elevated arts and culture, Houston truly offers something wonderful for everyone. Nestled on the Texas Gulf Coast just an hour from Galveston Island’s swimming, fishing, and camping, Houston is the fourth most populous U.S. city and is home to more than a dozen major industries.

• Nearly 30 percent of the city’s population holds a bachelor’s degree or higher, and an additional 51 percent hold a high school diploma or associate degree.
• The cost of living is roughly 17 percent below the average for major metropolitan areas.
• Much of Houston lies in Harris County, where the average weekly wage is about 30 percent above the U.S. average.
• Houston is the leading domestic and international center for virtually every segment of the energy industry.
• The largest medical complex in the world sits in the heart of Houston. The Texas Medical Center hosts 21 renowned hospitals, 13 support organizations, eight academic and research institutions, six nursing programs, three public health organizations, three medical schools, two universities, two pharmacy schools, and a dental school. In addition, the area surrounding the TMC is home to 385 medical offices staffed by 21,000 physicians, scientists, researchers, and other advanced degree professionals in the life sciences.
• The Houston region has approximately 380,000 students in more than 60 degree-granting colleges, universities, and technical schools.
• A humid and subtropical climate means that city residents enjoy plenty of time outdoors. In fact, the temperature ranges between 32 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit for about 70 percent of the year.
• Houston is home to 25 shopping centers with more than 500,000 square feet; 10,000-plus restaurants from more than 70 national categories; and congregations of virtually every faith.
• Houstonians can always root for the home team thanks to the city’s nine professional sports teams and five major sports facilities. There are more than 170 golf courses and six racing facilities in the Houston area.
• More than 500 Houston institutions are devoted to the performing and visual arts, science, and history. The renowned Theatre District features nine major performing arts organizations in four venues, and the Museum District houses 19 world-class art, history, culture, nature, and science museums within close proximity.
• Houston contains nearly 50,000 acres of managed parks, six National Wildlife Refuges, and a 300-mile interconnected bikeway. Together, Houston and Harris County offer more than 350 miles of hike and bike trails. When students in Houston dream of becoming innovators, astronauts, chefs, world-class physicians, ballerinas, artists, scientists, filmmakers, educators, religious leaders, financiers, petroleum engineers, or litigators, they only have to look as far as their neighbors. Inspiration and aspiration both abound in this haven of opportunity that so many talented people call home.

Application Requirements and Search Process:

Candidates should submit the following in PDF form:

• A cover letter indicating why they are particularly interested in and qualified for the position.
• A current resume or CV
• A statement of educational and leadership philosophy
• The names and contact information for 3-5 references
• Optional: Other supporting materials (e.g. CliftonStrengths Assessment, digital portfolios, articles, speeches, presentations, letters of recommendations, transcripts, etc.) that would be useful to the Search Committee.

These materials should be submitted through The Fay School’s ADP portal in PDF form.

• Excellent academic credentials, including an advanced degree
• Significant experience as a successful fundraiser and brand ambassador
• Exceptional organizational and management skill, including the ability to hire well and mentor effectively
• A mastery of best practices in fundraising and program development
• Experience working with a dynamic team of leaders and educators
• Outstanding and highly responsive communication skills, written and oral
• Experience managing a budget

About The Fay School

School Mission:The Fay School is a nonsectarian, not-for-profit, co-educational school in which children of diverse talents and backgrounds with strong academic abilities are offered a high-quality education in a secure, enriching, and academically challenging environment. Here children learn and grow intellectually, physically, socially, ethically, and artistically while developing self-confidence and a lifelong love of learning through an active partnership among educators, parents, and students. School Vision:Anchored to a challenging, engaging, and relevant academic program, The Fay School’s Leadership Development Program distinguishes itself among all other schools in Houston. Grounded in both emotional intelligence and human capital strategy, The Fay School’s vision is to deliberately build and educate the next generation of leaders for our world. Our students experience leadership training and curriculum reserved for Fortune 500 companies, and they graduate from Fay with skills that will serve them for a lifetime.

Connections working at The Fay School