Battle Ground Academy (BGA) is seeking a highly motivated,
proven fundraising leader to serve as the Assistant Head of School
for Advancement. This key leadership role is responsible for
overseeing and executing the school’s fundraising and development
initiatives, building strong relationships with donors, alumni,
parents, and community partners, and advancing the institution’s
philanthropic efforts.
The next Assistant Head of School for Advancement, in
collaboration with the Head of School and the Board of Trustees
will work to ensure that advancement priorities align with the
school’s mission and strategic plan. Overseeing all fundraising
initiatives, he or she will work to define and execute robust
capital campaigns while continuing to lead programs related to the
BGA Fund (annual fund), endowment growth, planned giving efforts,
and alumni relations.
Additionally, the Assistant Head of School for Advancement
oversees the school’s efforts in communicating and promoting BGA’s
mission, history, and core values within and throughout the
community.
The School | Battle Ground Academy (BGA)
Battle Ground Academy is the No. 1 Private K-12 School in
Williamson County, Tennessee and is a 900-student co-education,
independent college preparatory school. Ninety-eight percent of the
Class of 2023 Graduates were accepted to at least one of their top
three college choices.
BGA is an accredited independent school that is not bound by
specific cultural or religious beliefs or government mandates.
As an independent school, BGA has the flexibility to adjust the
curriculum to meet each student where they are academically and
create a community where students from all different backgrounds
feel like they belong.
For 135 years, Battle Ground Academy has held strong to
“Character. Scholarship. Excellence.” as it has pursued its mission
to ignite and nurture student curiosity, intellect, and character.
They are the ideals that inspire faculty, staff, and students
daily, still.
“Each day in every class, our goal is to provide an inspiring
and nurturing environment that piques students’ curiosity and
furthers their academic, social, and emotional development.
The result: a community of learners who are prepared to
accomplish their academic, professional, and personal goals,
becoming successful graduates at some of the nation’s top colleges
and universities.”
The Location | Franklin, Tennessee
Located just 21 miles south of Nashville, Franklin boasts the
perfect mix of history and progress.
Downtown Franklin, comprised of a beautiful 16-block historic
district, has been named a “Great American Main Street” and is
listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Offering 200
years of rich history, residents relish the commemorative brick
sidewalks, beautiful landscaping, Victorian architecture, and
renovated historic buildings. Locally-owned boutiques, restaurants,
and other businesses line the streets, and multiple times a year,
Downtown Franklin hosts holiday, music, community, and cultural
festivals, bringing thousands to the area.
Outside the downtown corridor is the Cool Springs area, a
business, dining, and shopping hub with many Fortune 500 companies.
In addition, Franklin serves as the Williamson County seat,
officing the county government.
Recent Franklin accolades include:
- “The 30 Most Charming Small Town Downtowns in
America” – HGTV - “Little Cities That Think Big: 8 Forward-Thinking
Destinations Across the
U.S.” – AFAR - “Top 50 Cities to Start a Small Business” –
Business Week
While BGA is situated in Franklin, residents enjoy the city’s
proximity to Nashville. With a population of over 1.5 million,
Nashville is a vibrant metropolitan area with extensive amenities,
restaurants, economic health, and entertainment.
The Opportunity | Assistant Head of School for
Advancement
The Assistant Head of School for Advancement serves as the
leader of the development, community relations, and communications
aspects of the school. He or she serves on the Senior Admin
Team and works closely with the Head of School and the Board of
Trustees’ Committee on Development to identify, cultivate, secure
and steward philanthropy at Battle Ground Academy.
The position is supported by a team that includes nine full-time
employees and additional ancillary staff in a variety of
positions:
- Major Gifts Officer
- Director of Alumni and Annual Giving
- Donations Accountant
- Director of Community Relations
- Advancement & Alumni Services Coordinator
- Advancement & Alumni Engagement Officer
- Advancement Officer
- Director of Communications
- Communication Content Specialist
This team works closely together to coordinate all of the work
of the school’s fundraising efforts. The Assistant Head will
have the opportunity to adjust and refine structures, systems, and
teams in a manner to optimize performance of the Advancement Office
within the context of the school’s mission, vision, and values.
Responsibilities
In addition to embracing BGA’s mission, supporting its Head of
School and leadership, and representing the school at professional
and public forums, the next Assistant Head of School for
Advancement has several primary responsibilities:
- Leadership: Serves as a strategic partner with
the Head of School and Board of Trustees in identifying and
spearheading the implementation of a robust 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. - Strategic Fundraising: Establish and execute
forward-thinking advancement and strategic programs that optimally
grow the annual, major, and capital campaigns; legacy gifts;
and planned giving in order to secure financial support for Battle
Ground Academy’s programs, strategic priorities, and capital
projects. - Board Relations: Serve as a liaison to the
Board of Trustees, providing updates on fundraising progress,
strategies, and opportunities. Work closely with the Development
Committee of the Board to coordinate fundraising activities and
elicit their involvement in the school’s current and future
campaigns and giving strategies. - Donor Cultivation and Stewardship: Build and
maintain strong relationships with current and prospective donors,
alumni, parents, and friends of BGA. Develop an accurate assessment
and inventory of the capacity and willingness of BGA families to
support the school. Acknowledge and appreciate donors, providing
them with updates on the school’s progress, outcomes, and the
impact of their contributions. - Major Gift Solicitation: Identify, cultivate,
and solicit major gift prospects. Develop tailored proposals and
collaborate with the Head of School to secure leadership level
support for the school. Manage a portfolio of approximately 100
leadership-level donors and prospects by forming authentic
relationships and providing meaningful, ongoing stewardship. - Alumni Engagement: Collaborate with the Alumni
Relations team to foster a vibrant alumni community through events,
communications, and outreach efforts. - Campaign Management: Lead and manage capital
campaigns for specific projects or initiatives, collaborating with
cross-functional teams of the Head of School, Trustees, faculty,
alumni and/or community members, to ensure successful
outcomes. - Database Management: Oversee the collection
and organization of accurate donor records, track interactions, and
utilize the school’s donor management system to support effective
fundraising efforts. - Team Leadership: Supervise and mentor
development staff, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented
work environment designed to achieve clear and measurable goals
while ensuring regular feedback and accountability toward
progress. - Communications: Oversee the creation of
regular, tailored communications (including direct messaging,
social media, alumni magazine, etc.) in collaboration with internal
constituents and enrollment personnel to produce messaging that
expands and enhances the school’s visibility and reputation in all
areas (school life, alumni news, major initiatives, etc.). - Networking: Attend community and industry
events to expand the school’s network and identify new fundraising
opportunities. Be present and engaging at BGA events to promote
enthusiasm among families.
Candidate Requirements
- Motivated, self-starter who enjoys
developing relationships with donors, past and current, both on and
off campus - Significant experience, including substantial responsibility in
nonprofit fundraising, preferably within an independent school or
university - Proven track record of fundraising success by personally
securing or facilitating multiple major gifts - Demonstrated success in structuring and managing a capital
campaign - Knowledge of planned giving vehicles, including wills,
charitable remainder trusts, and insurance bequests - Outstanding knowledge of fundraising data and database
management software - Proven success in engaging and motivating trustee leadership
and supporting all facets of the board’s financial goals for the
school - Familiarity with the greater local community
- Excellent communication skills, both in writing and in
speaking - Ability to balance multiple priorities in a complex
environment - Professional discretion, attention to detail, and commitment to
excellence - Deep appreciation and understanding of the school’s mission and
vision and the ability to inspire internal and external
constituents - Excellent leadership skills, including previous work experience
successfully managing a high-achieving team - Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
Battle Ground Academy has retained Capital Development Services
(CapDev) to conduct a search for this position. Candidates should
include a cover letter and a resume. All material will be kept
confidential.
Application materials will be reviewed as received;
screening of applicants will begin November 6, 2023.
Additional inquiries may be directed to search@capdev.com.
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