Advancement Communications and Events

Primary Function: Provides advancement communications leadership and support, supports parents association fundraising efforts, and contributes to planning and producing advancement events. Collaborates with the entire advancement team, as well as the head of school and the communications team, to foster good relations with donors, volunteers, and parents and to execute successful fundraising plans and events. Communicates the school’s story to inspire donor engagement and support, uplifting Harpeth Hall’s mission in every interaction. Works with parents association leaders and school leaders to transfer institutional knowledge from year to year and to ensure adherence to business office and overall school policies. Harpeth Hall is committed to being an inclusive school community. We seek educators who embrace our school values and are dedicated to providing all students with the support and opportunities they need to grow in every aspect of learning.

Reports to: Director of Advancement

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provides Advancement Communications Leadership and Support:
  • Plans and executes donor and alumnae communications strategies, including brochures, videos, social media content in collaboration with the director of advancement, the director of annual giving, the director of alumnae relations, and director of marketing and communications.
  • Prepares advancement-related invitations, programs, videos for events, email distribution lists and social media content and coordinates with the director of marketing and communications and the communications manager to ensure content reflects the school’s brand and voice and to produce and schedule communications appropriately.
  • Collaborates with the communications department to gather and create advancement content for the Hallways community magazine.
  • Maintains advancement content on the Harpeth Hall website.
  • Serves as a liaison to the communications teams and attends weekly comms team meetings.

• Supports the Parents Association’s Fundraising Efforts:
  • Provides fundraising direction for parents leading The Main Event:
    • Ensures that The Main Event auction, sponsor, and patron solicitation process is coordinated with the overall advancement solicitation strategy and calendar.
    • Coordinates with volunteers to ensure proper Main Event donor recognition in print and web-based platforms and receipt of donor benefits.
    • Works with the advancement coordinator to ensure that all Main Event solicitation letters and thank you letters are accurate and produced in a timely manner.
    • Works with the advancement coordinator, the parents association treasurer and assistant treasurer, and the Harpeth Hall business office to ensure accurate accounting of donations made to the school through HHPA fundraisers.
    • Assists volunteers with managing The Main Event auction software system, creates website content, and participates in software decisions.
  • Works with parents association leaders to refine any additional fundraising strategies.

• Creates Campaign Communication Strategy
  • Works with the director of advancement and director of marketing and communications to develop and execute campaign communication strategy to facilitate solicitation of major gifts for the school’s capital, endowment, and special project initiatives.
  • Assists in writing and updating the campaign case statement.
  • Collaborates with the communications department to create and update campaign-related materials.
  • Creates and manages website content for the capital campaign. Provides assistance with campaign e-newsletters, video content, and any social media needs and coordinates with the communications team.
     
• Supports Advancement Events & Stewardship Efforts
  • Works with the stewardship and donor relations manager to plan and manage the logistics of donor events, including lunches, coffees, cocktail parties, cultivation events, etc.
  • Produces print materials for events, including programs and invitations, in collaboration with the communications team and helps coordinate any video projects and AV needs.

Collaborates on RSVPs, nametags, attendance tracking, and post-event follow-up in Raiser’s Edge.

Requirements:

• College degree and three years experience in educational/nonprofit fundraising or event planning.
• Strong organizational skills and an ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to be a collaborative team player and to work successfully with volunteers.
• Strong communications skills, in speaking, writing, and editing.
• Ability to translate an idea into a creative solution utilizing design tools and other technology-based vehicles.
• Knowledge of and experience with Microsoft Office, social media, website content management, and basic technology-based design tools. Experience with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge or other database software useful.
• The role requires strong project management, event planning, and communication skills, as well as keen attention to detail and a collaborative mindset.

Full-time position, exempt position with some evening, weekend, and early morning hours required.