Senior Director of Development and External Relations

Do you want to help create a more just and kind world?Do you believe that diversity is a powerful strength for a school community?Do you want to ensure that every student can be successful and prepared to thrive in college, career, and life?You AreA strategic, results-driven leader who knows how to turn vision into resources. You bring strong development and fundraising expertise, paired with the ability to craft compelling narratives that inspire engagement, trust, and investment. You understand that communications, engagement and development are interconnected - and you know how to align them into a cohesive strategy that deepens relationships, strengthens external credibility, and drives investment in our organizational priorities. You bring an innovative approach to storytelling and positioning, ensuring the organization shows up clearly, consistently, and compellingly.You are both a thinker and a doer - able to set direction, build relationships, and execute at a high level. You collaborate effectively with senior leaders, including close partnership with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Talent Officer (CTO) to ensure alignment between strategy, culture, and external impact. Your growth mindset guides your perspective, agency, and urgency to make a positive impact in the world around you. Above all, you are committed to equity and driven to help build a school community where every student thrives.We are E.L. Haynes.A learning community where every student – of every race, socioeconomic status, home language, and ability – prepares to thrive in college, career, and life. Together, we create a more just and kind world.Founded in 2004 and named for the first African-American woman to earn her Ph.D. in Mathematics, the award-winning E.L. Haynes Public Charter School serves more than 1,175 students in grades Pre-K3 through 12th grade. E.L. Haynes operates two campuses in the Petworth neighborhood of Washington, DC.Our mission of student success is inextricably linked with our commitment to equity and the daily efforts of every member of our community to live our motto -- Be Kind, Work Hard, and Get Smart.WeLead For Equity: We challenge ourselves and each other to interrupt inequities and build equitable alternatives.Choose Joy: We find, bring, and share joy in our work every day. We practice gratitude, celebrate wins, and offer praise.Achieve Excellence: We deliver high-quality work every day. We set ambitious goals, embrace challenges, and hold ourselves and each other to high standards.Own Our Learning: We model a growth mindset for our students. We own our actions, mistakes, and learning. We continually look for ways to improve and produce high-quality work.Succeed Together: We value every member of our community and treat each other with kindness and care. We build meaningful relationships with students, families, and each other. We achieve more through collaboration and teamwork.We Are Different. We AreA diverse and inclusive community, with nearly 70% of our staff identifying as people of color.The hub of the neighborhood. We are a community school and partner with neighborhood organizations to provide our families with comprehensive medical, dental, and mental health services. A place where all community members have their voices heard in the decision-making process.A school where students learn in a rigorous and coherent PreK-12 environment.You WillSet and implement a strategic direction for all fundraising, communications, and advocacy activities, and play a lead role in our student recruitment and family/community engagement strategy. This 12-month, full-time role reports to the Chief Talent Officer, and oversees and works in partnership with an External Relations Manager, as well as a group of contractors that support: graphic design, marketing and communications, and fundraising and grant writing. You will be instrumental in visioning, designing, and executing the organization’s external relations strategy (development, engagement, and communications).Lead development and strategic growth. You will lead the strategy and execution of E.L. Haynes’ fundraising and development efforts - ensuring the organization has the resources required to realize the vision of Haynes 3.0 and our STEAM+ academic identity. This includes designing and advancing a comprehensive development strategy that deepens relationships, expands our base of support, and positions E.L. Haynes as a compelling investment opportunity for donors, partners, and the broader community.Central to this work is the ability to translate our academic vision, impact, and priorities into a clear, compelling and differentiated external narrative that inspires confidence and drives investment. In close partnership with the CTO, you will align development, communications, and engagement strategies to build sustained visibility, credibility, and philanthropic support.Design and lead a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned to organizational priorities, including major gifts, institutional giving, annual fund, and campaign-based efforts;Cultivate and steward relationships with individual, foundation, corporate, and government donors - expanding and diversifying E.L. Haynes’ funding base;Manage up to the CEO to ensure strategic engagement with key donors and external stakeholders, including preparation of materials, briefings, and follow through; Oversee the development and execution of donor cultivation strategies, fundraising campaigns, and flagship events that build investment in long-term partnership;Manage a comprehensive grants strategy and calendar, ensuring high-quality, timely submissions aligned to organizational priorities.Ensure strong systems and processes for tracking, acknowledging, and stewarding all contributions, including maintaining a comprehensive donor database; and Assure compliance with all federal and state fundraising policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.Leverage communications to drive investment. To drive this work, you will lead a strategic, campaign-driven communications approach that positions E.L. Haynes as a rigorous, innovative, and high-impact learning community - ensuring that our external presence strengthens trust, credibility, and investment.Design and execute a cohesive communications strategy that elevates Haynes 3.0 as a clear and compelling narrative across all platforms; Develop innovative, high-impact storytelling that brings our academic model, outcomes and community to life for external audiences;Translate organizational priorities and student impact into messaging that resonates with donors, partners, and the broader community;Align communications, brand and development strategy to create a seamless external experience that drives engagement and philanthropic support;Oversee digital and visual platforms (website, social media and multimedia) to ensure they reflect a strong, innovative and investable identity; and Support the CEO in crafting donor-facing communications, public testimony, and key messaging that advances fundraising and external relations goals.Create and share safety and operational communications.Lead our family and community engagement strategy. You will lead a comprehensive engagement strategy that deepens relationships with families, community and city stakeholders to strengthen connection and reinforce our positioning as a vibrant, inclusive, and high-performing school community.Design a strategic vision for family and community engagement that aligns to academic priorities and supports student success;Partner with academic, cross-campus teams, and the Community Engagement Committee to ensure our engagement strategy is coherent, consistent, and aligned to our organization’s priorities; Support and elevate cross-campus community-building events, including cultural celebrations, belonging initiatives, and family-facing events;Partner with the Talent Team to align staff recruitment efforts with external brand and engagement strategy; Build systems and structures that strengthen two-way communication, family voice, and community trust;Work closely with the CEO, CTO, and leadership team to support board engagement, transparency, and organizational communication; and Provide strategic and executional support for key organizational moments to ensure alignment between internal culture and external messaging.QualificationsYou have:A bachelor’s or advanced degree in a relevant field;7-10 years of professional experience in fundraising, communications, and/or family engagement;Commitment to the E.L. Haynes mission and core values; Meticulous detail orientation, organization, and time management;Exceptional written and oral communications skills;Demonstrated experience in developing engaging and impactful communications and presentations that honor diversity and inclusion;Experience identifying and seeking opportunities to dismantle racial and other inequities in their work; adept at incorporating inclusive practices (including language) and principles;Demonstrated strength in balancing strategy with application and implementation;Experience working independently toward goals, communicating effectively with colleagues, and engaging in 360-degree feedback processes;Demonstrated ability to lead multiple high-profile and complex projects simultaneously in a fast-paced work environment; andProficiency with Google Drive and Microsoft Office Suite.You Might Also HaveA bachelor’s or advanced degree in a relevant field;Previous experience working in charter schools and/or education; and Oral and/or written proficiency in Spanish.We look forward to meeting you!We proactively recruit, intentionally develop, and deeply value all members of our diverse and highly talented staff community. Our work environment fosters inclusion and authenticity, supporting all staff to thrive in their roles and maximize their impact on our students.Our hiring process consists of an online application, asynchronous and panel interviews, and written performance activity. We offer a competitive salary depending on experience and qualifications. The starting salary range for this position is $112,546 - $144,988