The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools

Director of Development & Strategic Marketing

Transforming Our Schools and Communities Together

The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools seeks a seasoned professional to develop and manage a major sustained fundraising campaign, as well as promote the campaign’s success through strategic marketing initiatives.

About The Partnership:

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has made education reform of Los Angeles schools, which have the second highest student enrollment in the country, a centerpiece of his administration’s agenda.  The Mayor is partnering with the Los Angeles Unified School District (“LAUSD”) and other education-related organizations in Los Angeles to dramatically improve schools in Los Angeles. The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the City of Los Angeles and the LAUSD.

The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools is committed to the transformation of Los Angeles public schools so that all children in Los Angeles graduate from high school prepared for college and careers.  The non-profit organization has been featured on numerous occasions in the LA Times and was the recent recipient of a $50 million gift from real estate developer Richard Lundquist and his wife Melanie.

Position Highlights:

This is an exciting opportunity to directly support The Partnership’s goal of developing and implementing new education reforms that will lead to dramatic increases in student achievement in LAUSD. The Director of Development and Strategic Marketing will develop strategy to raise funds from key national and local donors to support Los Angeles public schools. S/he will work with an exceptional leadership team that includes a former superintendent of several urban public schools and a former president of a leading public schools operator. This position reports directly to The Partnership’s CEO and is located in downtown Los Angeles.

Responsibilities:

•Develop a broad portfolio of major donors, including individuals, foundations, corporations, and public funds, and develop several other major and highly visible fundraising events each calendar year.

•Identify major prospective donors, develop approach strategy, and lead process to cultivate and solicit individual and institutional donors, in collaboration with the Deputy Mayor for Education and the CEO of The Partnership.

•Lead team that manages process for donors, and writes and submits grants/funding proposals and reports.

•Develop a communications and marketing strategy around fundraising successes, in close collaboration with the Mayor’s Office Communications Team and the Deputy Mayor for Communications.

•Develop and implement marketing campaigns to help increase the total numbers of volunteers and donors to Los Angeles public schools, as well as to increase awareness of other programs and initiatives to improve Los Angeles schools.

•Regularly brief the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Education on fundraising progress.

•Create collateral fundraising materials in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office Communications Team and other key partners, where appropriate.

Qualifications:

Required knowledge, skills, abilities and experience include:

•At least 8-15 years of professional experience in fundraising, brand marketing, and/or strategic planning.

•Demonstrated passion for improving public education.

•Proven track record of consistently exceeding goals in senior management roles.

•Knowledge of best practices in the field of fundraising, marketing, and special event management a plus.

•Capable of networking and interacting with large groups, senior executives, and major philanthropists.

•Experience working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment a plus.

•Strategic thinker with proven ability to execute effectively against strategy.

•Reflective and open to new ideas and opinions.

•Graduate degree preferred.

Salary & Benefits:

Compensation is highly competitive and commensurate with demonstrated skills and work experience.