Director of Community Engagement and Fundraising - Vertex Education

Be the one who makes a difference!

At Vertex Education we are a team of high achievers, courageous leaders, and passionate believers in changing lives through education. As a purpose-led education services provider, our mission is destined to benefit many and yet it starts with just one person inspired to work together with us to make a memorable and meaningful difference for our clients, schools, students, and communities. Be the one who makes a difference—with us.

As the Director of Community Engagement and Fundraising for Legacy Traditional Schools in Texas, you will craft cutting-edge strategies, build lasting donor relationships, and inspire a culture of giving. Leveraging data-driven insights, compelling storytelling, and innovative events, you will propel the school's mission forward, turning community support into life-changing educational opportunities for students.

Essential Functions

1. Fundraising Strategy and Execution
2. Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy, cultivating gifts from individual donors, corporate sponsors, foundations, and students' families to ensure a broad donor base.
3. Create annual and multi-year fundraising plans, setting clear targets for revenue generation through campaigns, events, and donor engagement.
4. Plan and execute various events, including galas, giving days, and other initiatives tailored to attract and retain donors.
5. Use donor data and analytics to assess campaign effectiveness and adjust strategies for continuous improvement.

1. Donor Cultivation and Relationship Management
2. Build and manage a portfolio of high-value donors and prospects, focusing on identifying, cultivating, and stewarding relationships that lead to significant contributions.
3. Develop tailored donor engagement plans to deepen connections and ensure sustained giving.
4. Lead efforts to recognize and celebrate donors through acknowledgment programs, exclusive events, and personalized communication.
5. Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to showcase the impact of donor contributions through compelling storytelling and outreach, integrating data-driven insights and narratives to highlight program outcomes.

1. Event Planning and Execution
2. Plan and execute flagship events, including galas, donor appreciation dinners, and corporate networking events, ensuring a seamless and impactful experience for attendees.
3. Develop and implement smaller, targeted initiatives such as school-based giving days to engage local communities and parent donors.
4. Partner with internal teams to create event marketing materials, secure sponsorships, and manage logistics.
5. Ensure all events align with the organization's brand and mission while achieving defined fundraising goals.

1. Strategic Collaboration
2. Work closely with school leadership to align fundraising efforts with organizational priorities, educational goals, and the demonstrated impact of school programs on students and communities.
3. Partner with the marketing and communications team to amplify fundraising campaigns through strategic PR efforts.
4. Update executive leadership and board members regularly on fundraising progress, challenges, opportunities, and insights derived from data and program impact analysis.
5. Actively engage volunteers, staff, and external partners in supporting fundraising initiatives.

1. Administrative and Compliance Oversight
2. Oversee budgets for fundraising campaigns and events, ensuring resources are allocated effectively and transparently.
3. Using donor management systems, maintain accurate records of donor interactions, contributions, and event outcomes.
4. Ensure compliance with all laws, regulations, and ethical standards related to fundraising activities.
5. Prepare detailed reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.

1. Leadership and Volunteer Engagement
2. Recruit, train, and inspire a network of parent and community volunteers to support fundraising efforts.
3. Lead volunteer committees to drive event planning and campaign success.
4. Cultivate a culture of collaboration and accountability among volunteers and staff, celebrating contributions to organizational success.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Experience:
• At least 5–7 years of progressive experience in fundraising, development, or nonprofit management, with a focus on major gift cultivation and event planning
• Experience standing up a fundraising program for an organization with no previous giving program
• Track Record:
• Proven success in cultivating relationships with HNWIs, corporate sponsors, and other key stakeholders
• Successful track record of raising $500K+ from a variety of channels in a given year
• Skills: Expertise in planning and executing high-profile events and smaller, mission-driven campaigns.
• Technology: Proficiency in donor management software (e.g., Salesforce, Blackbaud) and event management tools.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Nonprofit Management, Communications, Marketing, or a related field.
• Credentials: Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) or similar certification.
• Experience: Familiarity with PR strategies and their integration into fundraising campaigns.
• Knowledge: Experience working within a K–12 school or educational nonprofit setting.

Physical and Work Requirements

• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required by events and donor needs.
• Ability to travel locally for donor meetings and events; valid driver’s license required.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to lead transformative fundraising efforts, cultivate lasting relationships, and make a tangible impact on education through strategic philanthropy.

Be excited to be a part of our team and grow your career with us!

Be the one who enables us to positively impact over 107,000 students across multiple states while driving our growth forward so we can enrich even more lives. Be the one who helps us achieve excellence for over 100 schools that we support with academics, finance, technology, human resources, communications, marketing, facilities, construction, and food services. Be the one who is a diverse thinker, a team player, a smart risk taker, an innovator, and a difference maker by encouraging others to climb higher and reach farther to further education.

• Be yourself surrounded by wonderful people who care about you, value your unique skills, and lift you up.
• Be supported in your work by caring leaders and team members who want you to succeed.
• Be empowered to make a difference and climb higher and reach farther to change lives through education.
• Be well in all aspects of your life from your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing to your finances.
• Enjoy industry-leading pay, rewards, referral bonuses, with unlimited flexible paid time-off for performance.
• Be able to care for your health and your family with comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits and invest in your future with 401(k) plans with a 6% employer match on your contributions.
• Enhance your growth and development with mentoring and money to take training classes.
• Thrive in a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment where we treat others with fairness and respect, celebrate diversity, and elevate equality and inclusion as an equal opportunity employer.

Be the one who makes a difference!

With an innovative mind, a hungry heart, and engaging spirit you can change lives through education. Be a part of Vertex Education and let’s make a difference together. Apply Today!