Senior Director of Development

Application Deadline:

Priority deadline for applications is April 25, 2025, at 5:00 PM ET. After this date, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

About Ascend

Ascend is a network of high-performing public charter schools serving students across Brooklyn. Our mission is to ensure that all students, regardless of background, have access to an education that empowers them to unlock their full potential, achieve academic excellence, and pursue a future of boundless opportunity. We cultivate rigorous learning environments where students develop critical thinking skills, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.

At Ascend, educational equity is a driving force. We are committed to closing the achievement gap by delivering high-quality instruction, fostering a culture of high expectations, and equipping every student with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in college and beyond. Through this unwavering commitment, we prepare students not only to succeed academically but to seize every opportunity that lies ahead.

About the Role

Ascend seeks a Senior Director of Development (DoD) to help support and lead Ascend's plans for philanthropic support. This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned, knowledgeable, and innovative fundraising leader to serve as an active member of the Advancement team, who can support building and executing a fund development strategy to meet current and future opportunities for the organization. The DoD will amplify revenue generation and enhance brand visibility to achieve Ascend's multi-year fundraising plan and goals. The DoD will support the Chief External Officer (CExO) and President in fostering and cultivating constituent relationships (both public and private) to convert prospects into champions and investors.

Competencies

Fundraising Acumen

• Brings a proven track record of raising revenue in a mission-driven setting, ideally through diverse funding streams.
• Approaches fundraising collaboratively, partnering with others to execute well-defined, metrics-driven strategies and processes.
• Proficient understanding and ability to build and manage a comprehensive donor pipeline, leveraging moves management principles to deepen engagement and increase giving.
• Leads collaboratively by aligning fundraising efforts with Ascend's values and strategic priorities, while mentoring colleagues and fostering a team culture rooted in shared goals, support, and accountability.

Strategic Thinking with Execution Focus

• Demonstrates the ability to think expansively and strategically about development opportunities, while also driving disciplined execution.
• Ability to develop and implement clear, data-informed fundraising strategies that align with Ascend's multi-year goals.
• Possesses the ability to identify and anticipate challenges and opportunities, both internally and externally, and proactively plans backwards from ambitious revenue targets.
• Establishes clear metrics and processes to measure success and adjust course as needed, driving efficiency and scalable impact across the development function.

Relationship Building and Stewardship

• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain authentic, trust-based relationships with various stakeholders, including donors, board members, executive leadership, and community partners.
• Ability to actively listen, adapt communications to different audiences, and demonstrate curiosity and emotional intelligence in donor engagement.
• Maintains high standards of responsiveness, follow-through, and attention to detail in stewarding supporters.
• Possesses and utilizes a sophisticated understanding of people and intellectual curiosity to deepen and sustain relationships, create opportunities, and influence others towards outcomes; effectively builds and leverages relationships to achieve goals.

Responsibilities

• Advise the Chief External Officer and President on the NYC Charter landscape.
• Assist with analyzing the New York City funder landscape and conduct relevant, actionable prospect research.
• Provide ownership and primary oversight of the pipeline and process for individual and private institutional prospects and donors.
• Facilitate introductions to prospective or potential individual and institutional supporters for both the Chief Advancement Officer and the Chief Executive Officer.
• Lead and manage the production and submission of grant proposals and reports for private foundations.
• Support with connecting Ascend Network stories to funding priorities and advancement strategy.
• Liaise with the Ascend Network to identify unique funding opportunities, gathering input, data, and feedback from relevant school-based stakeholders.
• Other duties related to building the Advancement function, as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• A minimum of five years in a leadership position in a complex organization; proven leadership skills, including the ability to attract, develop, and inspire engagement from a team.
• Experience developing and executing short- and long-term strategic plans for a core organizational area.
• Passion and commitment to education and Ascend's ultimate goal of closing the achievement gap.
• Keen insight and strategic mindset for designing and executing a fundraising plan and outreach campaigns to prospective donors and partners.
• Superb organizational, project management, self-management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to proceed in the absence of clear and immediate answers to problems.
• Strong leadership and management skills, including the ability to motivate and lead teams in fast-paced, high-stakes projects.
• Superior analytical skills and comfort with data.
• Excellent collaborative and communication skills.
• A hunger for feedback and an openness to engage in a process of self-improvement.
• Alignment with the educational philosophy and core beliefs of Ascend.