Description

An intimate, mission-driven school dedicated exclusively to the education of adolescent girls, The Girls’ Middle School (GMS) in Palo Alto, California, offers a joyful, rigorous, and student-centered learning environment for grades 6–8. GMS helps learners discover academic confidence, intellectual curiosity, and leadership through an intentionally designed program that balances strong academics, project-based and experiential learning, social-emotional skill building, and a whole-child approach. Rooted in a belief that the middle school years are formative for identity, purpose, and voice, GMS prepares girls to engage the world with curiosity, conviction, and compassion.

Guided by a devoted and talented Head of School, Christine Fairless, and an engaged Board of Trustees, GMS seeks a strategic, collaborative, and entrepreneurial Director of Advancement to lead and grow a comprehensive advancement program that will expand philanthropic participation, deepen alumni and family engagement, and secure the long-term resources necessary to sustain and strengthen the School’s mission. This is an exceptional opportunity for a passionate advancement leader who thrives in a close-knit school community, who is energized by relationship-building, and who is eager to design and implement bold, contemporary fundraising strategies that align with GMS’s vision for educating girls to lead with confidence.

GMS is partnering with RG175 to identify exceptional candidates. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter that clearly articulates their interest in and fit for this role, a current résumé or CV, and a list of professional references (references will not be contacted without candidate permission).

The Girls’ Middle School seeks candidates who will embrace and advance its commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive learning community. Individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences are strongly encouraged to apply.

Requirements

Reporting to the Head of School and serving as a key partner to the senior leadership team and Board of Trustees, the Director of Advancement (DoA) will lead and professionalize all aspects of the school’s fundraising and constituent engagement work. The DoA will build genuine and meaningful relationships both internally and externally; have a proven track record of fundraising success; demonstrate a deep understanding and appreciation for the school’s mission and aspirations; approach the work with a sense of possibility, tenacity, and professionalism; and will build, inspire and invest in a high-performing team to foster long-term stability and growth.

Those who are confident, creative, and organized are encouraged to apply. Ideal candidates will be forward-thinking, able to establish clear priorities, action-oriented but collaborative, a gifted problem-solver and highly relational, stay abreast of trends and best practices, and last, but not least, committed to girls’ education!

Responsibilities include:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive advancement plan aligned with the School’s mission, strategic priorities, and long-term sustainability goals.
• Serve as a visible and collaborative member of the School’s leadership team, contributing to institutional strategy, culture, and decision-making.
• Build, manage, and mentor a high-performing advancement team, including responsibility for hiring, professional development, performance management, and annual budgeting for the office.
• Strengthen systems, policies, and workflows that support efficient prospect management, gift processing, stewardship, and reporting.

Fundraising and Engagement

• Lead and grow the annual fund to increase participation across parents, alumni, trustees, faculty/staff, and friends.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and principal gift prospects in partnership with the Head of School, trustees, and volunteer leaders; carry a personal portfolio of high-value prospects.
• Plan, oversee, and successfully execute capital and endowment campaigns, working collaboratively with campaign volunteers and external counsel as appropriate.
• Design and implement alumni and parent engagement programs that activate communities to support the School financially and advance the mission of the school.
• Partner with Admissions and Program Offices to ensure coherent, compelling storytelling across channels that reinforces fundraising priorities and stewardship.
• Ensure best practices in donor recognition, stewardship, data integrity, and compliance with gift policies.

Board and Volunteer Partnership

• Support and prepare trustees and volunteer leaders to be effective ambassadors and fundraisers, including briefing materials, cultivation strategies, and solicitation support.
• Staff relevant Board committees and volunteer leadership groups, fostering cohesion and accountability in advancement efforts

Leadership Qualities, Personal Attributes, and Qualifications

• Deep commitment to the mission of educating adolescent girls and an enthusiasm for middle-school education.
• High emotional intelligence, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to build authentic relationships across constituencies.
• A collaborative, visible, and approachable leadership style coupled with the capacity to inspire and manage change.
• Strategic thinker who is operationally savvy—able to set priorities, marshal resources, and execute plans with attention to measurement and continuous improvement.
• A pragmatic, hands-on approach: willing to engage in day-to-day fundraising activities while building long-term systems and capacity.
• Exceptional communicator and storyteller, able to translate programmatic impact into compelling philanthropic opportunities.
• A sincere commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and the capacity to integrate those principles into fundraising and engagement strategies

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive fundraising experience, preferably in independent schools, higher education, or nonprofit organizations; experience with middle- or independent-school constituencies highly valued.
• Demonstrated success managing a portfolio of major gift prospects and cultivating a broad base of donor support.
• Experience leading teams and building efficient advancement operations, including familiarity with CRM systems and data-driven advancement practices.
• Strong organizational, project management, and financial acumen; experience preparing compelling proposals, stewardship plans, and reports.
• Bachelor’s degree required; an advanced degree or relevant professional certification preferred.
• Comfort serving as a public ambassador for the School and a willingness to participate in evening and weekend community events