Lincoln School

Director of Advancement

Deerfield Associates has been retained by Lincoln School, located in Providence, Rhode Island to conduct a national search for a Director of Advancement. The School seeks a Director of Advancement with a start date of July 1, 2023.

Lincoln School, founded in 1884 and located in Providence, Rhode Island, is an independent Kindergarten–Grade 12 Quaker school for girls, with a co-ed Little School and Early Childhood program. As the nation’s only independent school for girls based on Quaker values, Lincoln operates at the intersection of tradition and innovation. At Lincoln, girls come first. Through its size and mission—with a dynamic, challenging and innovative academic program, the School prepares girls to build their confidence through successes, and through trial and error, through discovery, through laughter, and with joy. Girls practice speaking up and out, tapping into strengths even they may not know they had. This opportunity is a unique opportunity to further the school’s bold mission and to implement the recently released strategic framework, Uniquely Lincoln. There are currently 356 students in Grades N-12 and an additional 90 children in the Little School, 130 faculty and staff, and 3,500 alumnae. The current endowment is $15 million.

Learn more about Lincoln School at www.lincolnschool.org

Director of Advancement

This 12-month, full-time role is an excellent opportunity for an innovative fundraiser who enjoys thinking strategically, working collaboratively, and is compelled by the mission to “educate girls to fearlessly embrace the opportunities and responsibilities of full citizenship in a complex world.” Reporting to the Head of School and serving as a member of the senior Administrative Council, the Director is responsible for providing strategic leadership and management of all areas of institutional advancement. The Director will work closely with the Head of School and Board of Trustees to define annual and capital fundraising goals and priorities and will lead a team whose responsibilities include annual giving, major gifts, alumnae relationships, and donor stewardship.

The Director of Advancement will be critical in setting and implementing vision for the future through highly effective development and engagement strategies and initiatives. They will build a framework and plan for Lincoln’s next capital campaign along with an energetic and collaborative Advancement Committee of the Board of Trustees. The ideal candidate will be a dedicated leader and manager, one who excels with front-line advancement work, and who is collaborative, self-motivated and decisive. The Director of Advancement will be a creative and dynamic leader, a team player and will have a high energy level to match the dynamism of the Lincoln School environment. The candidate of choice will be organized, strategically oriented, a thoughtful communicator, and excel with strong relational skills.

Responsibilities include

Work closely with the Head of School, Board Advancement Committee, and senior staff to determine long-term fundraising goals, strategic and implementation plans, and follow through on delivery of those plans.
Work with Lincoln’s Board of Trustees and Head of School to define annual and capital fundraising goals and priorities for Lincoln School.
Develop and direct fundraising strategies, outreach/communication, special events and other programs to advance Lincoln’s annual and capital fundraising goals.
Direct all donor identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship activities on behalf of Lincoln including annual, capital and planned giving efforts.
Solicit gifts on behalf of Lincoln School in support of fundraising priorities.
Personally maintain a portfolio of major gift prospects, cultivating, soliciting, and closing these gifts.
Plan, direct and evaluate all donor stewardship activities from events, meetings, reporting and other activities to ensure donors are recognized and informed about the impact of their philanthropy at Lincoln.
Direct planned giving program for Lincoln and stewardship of members of the Lincoln Foundation, Lincoln’s planned giving society.
Develop and implement all alumnae events and publications/communications including reunion weekend, regional events, Class notes, and other initiatives.
Manage the daily operations and staffing of Lincoln’s Advancement Office to support and further Lincoln’s fundraising goals and objectives.
Develop and manage annual operating budget for the Advancement Office.
Provide clear vision, supervisory leadership and management, and strategic direction for all aspects of the School’s Advancement program.
Provide strategic guidance and direction to the Head of School on cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of key donors, parents, alumnae and new prospects, using the best resources of the advancement team to prepare and support her in all fundraising efforts.
Manage a cohesive, collaborative team of four individuals that encourages innovation, risk-taking, inclusiveness, and teamwork. Provide counsel and professional development opportunities to ensure an environment that seeks and supports a high-level advancement office.
Collaborate with the Communications team on marketing strategy, implementation, and all communications to the School’s constituents.

Qualifications, skills and competencies

Demonstrated experience in leadership positions in fundraising and development.
Bachelor’s Degree required; Advanced degree preferred.
8-10 years working experience in Advancement, preferably in an educational setting.
Exceptional visual, verbal, and written communication skills.
Strategic and pragmatic vision for a dynamic engagement, communications, and advancement strategy that is inclusive, integrated, and relationship-oriented.
Successful fundraising experience with donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Strong interpersonal skills, ability to make people feel valued and motivated while accomplishing difficult tasks.
Successful experience managing a team of advancement professionals.
Flexibility in the face of rapid change and an ability to quickly and strategically reprioritize.
Understanding of current trends in advancement and fundraising.
Excellent project management and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple and competing priorities and meet deadlines.
Public speaking skills and comfort working with both small and large groups.
Understanding the need to be discreet and confidential with highly sensitive information.
Willingness to work outside the regular school day when needed.
A deep commitment to and familiarity with diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Experience and an interest in embracing technology to leverage the Advancement effort with Alumnae and Parents.
Effective knowledge of a variety of technology programs and software, including Google Suite and donor databases.
A positive attitude with a willingness to collaborate with a dedicated team.
All Lincoln School Employees are expected to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

SOPHIE GLENN LAU ’88, HEAD OF SCHOOL

Lincoln School head Sophie Glenn Lau ’88 joined Lincoln in July 2020 and brings with her a history of excellence in education, a dedication to DEIB, and longstanding commitment to integrity, innovation, and community. Before joining Lincoln, she served as head of the Senior School of Shady Side Academy, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is also Lincoln’s first ever alumna head of school.

“As a student, Lincoln was where I found my voice and learned how to be a leader. As an alumna, I have watched Lincoln’s incredible trajectory with a great sense of pride and enthusiasm. I now look forward to building on that momentum as head of Lincoln School, and to championing the power of an all-girls education on a national scale.” – Sophie Glenn Lau ’88

OUR MISSION

Lincoln School’s dynamic academic program, rooted in Quaker principles, educates girls
to fearlessly embrace the opportunities and responsibilities of full citizenship in a complex world.

A Quaker Foundation

Lincoln’s educational philosophy and practices incorporate the Quaker testimonies of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, Service, and Stewardship of the Earth (SPICES) into the lives of its students and faculty on a daily basis.

Statement on Diversity

Lincoln School is committed to building an equitable and inclusive educational community. Lincoln School is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Members of groups historically underrepresented in independent schools are strongly encouraged to apply.

Lincoln School values difference and honors a multiplicity of perspectives that includes, but is not limited to, age, religion, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, gender, physical ability, and family structure. We are committed to the Quaker values of equity, justice, peace, and community. These ideals are driven by an understanding that a socially conscious learner is an empowered one, one who engages in critical self-reflection and honest action. All members of the Lincoln School community—students, alumnae, faculty, staff, administrators, parents, and trustees—will honor, embrace, and empower difference and individuality as sources of strength.

Contact Information

To explore this superb career opportunity on a highly confidential basis, send your résumé and a letter of interest, along with a list of your top four (4) references (who will be contacted only if mutual interest is determined) to:

Doug Cooney, Executive Search Consultant, DEERFIELD ASSOCIATES Executive Search, Inc.
572 Washington Street, Suite 15, Wellesley, MA 02482 Telephone: 781-237-2800.
Email: jobs@deerfieldassociates.com