Description
Director of Advancement and Strategic Partnerships Radcliffe Creek School
Chestertown, Maryland
Help More Children Find the Place They Were Meant to Learn
Radcliffe Creek School is seeking an energetic, relationship-driven Director of Advancement and Strategic Partnerships who believes deeply in our mission and is excited to invite others to become part of it. Located on Maryland's Eastern Shore, Radcliffe Creek School is the region's only independent K-8 school dedicated exclusively to educating students with learning differences and unique learning profiles. Through strengths-based, personalized, multi-sensory instruction, we help students discover their strengths, build confidence, and thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
This is far more than a fundraising position. It is an opportunity to build lasting relationships, inspire generosity, and expand the community of people invested in our students and our mission. Working alongside the Head of School and Board of Trustees, the Director will strengthen relationships throughout the Eastern Shore while expanding RCS's philanthropic reach across Maryland and beyond.
Why Radcliffe Creek School?
Students often come to Radcliffe Creek after experiencing frustration, self-doubt, and repeated academic challenges. Here, they find a place where they are understood, challenged, and celebrated for who they are. They leave with greater confidence, resilience, self-advocacy, and a stronger sense of what they can accomplish. As Director of Advancement and Strategic Partnerships, you will help make those transformations possible by connecting individuals, foundations, businesses, and community partners with a mission that can change the trajectory of a child's life. If you are energized by meaningful relationships, inspired by transformative education, and excited to help others invest in work that matters, we would love to meet you.
Position Summary
The Director of Advancement and Strategic Partnerships is responsible for creating and implementing a comprehensive advancement strategy that strengthens relationships, inspires philanthropy, and advances the mission of Radcliffe Creek School. Reporting directly to the Head of School, this leader works closely with the Board of Trustees and Advancement Committee to grow annual giving, major gifts, foundation support, planned giving, special events, and community partnerships.
The Director will supervise the Events, Communications & Advancement Associate and provide strategic leadership for the school's advancement initiatives while ensuring that every interaction with donors, families, alumni, grandparents, volunteers, and community partners reflects the warmth, authenticity, and mission of Radcliffe Creek School. The ideal candidate is a gifted relationship builder who listens well, communicates with authenticity, and genuinely believes in the transformational impact of specialized education.
Essential Responsibilities
Advancement Strategy
Develop and implement a comprehensive advancement plan aligned with the school's strategic priorities.
Set annual fundraising goals and strategies to achieve them.
Partner with the Head of School and Board Advancement Committee to identify priorities and opportunities for growth.
Evaluate fundraising performance and recommend new strategies based on measurable outcomes.
Major Gifts & Philanthropy
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors.
Build meaningful relationships with current and prospective donors, grandparents, alumni families, foundations, and corporate partners.
Expand philanthropic support both within the Eastern Shore community and among regional and national organizations whose missions align with students with learning differences.
Develop compelling proposals, grant requests, and donor communications.
Coordinate donor recognition and stewardship efforts that foster long-term relationships.
Community Engagement
Serve as one of the school's primary ambassadors.
Represent Radcliffe Creek School at community events, civic organizations, networking opportunities, and donor meetings.
Build relationships that increase awareness of the school's mission throughout Maryland and beyond.
Help foster a culture of philanthropy among trustees, parents, faculty, alumni, and friends of the school.
Leadership
Supervise and mentor the Events, Communications & Advancement Associate.
Partner with outside communications and marketing professionals to ensure messaging remains consistent with the school's mission and strategic priorities.
Collaborate with the Admissions team to ensure the school's story is communicated consistently across all external audiences.
Support the planning and execution of fundraising events and stewardship activities.
Requirements
Bachelor's degree required.
Five or more years of successful experience in advancement, fundraising, nonprofit leadership, independent schools, higher education, or a related field.
Demonstrated success cultivating and stewarding donors and philanthropic partnerships.
Exceptional interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
Strong organizational and project management abilities.
Experience working with donor databases and fundraising software.
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments.
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for someone who:
Believes deeply in the mission of educating students with learning differences.
Builds authentic, lasting relationships with ease.
Inspires confidence through warmth, integrity, and professionalism.
Enjoys connecting people with meaningful opportunities to make a difference.
Is entrepreneurial, strategic, and excited to grow an already strong foundation of community support.
Sees every donor relationship as a partnership, not a transaction.
Brings energy, optimism, curiosity, and creativity to their work every day.
Salary and Benefits
Salary range: $75,000-$90,000 commensurate with experience
Benefits:
50% Tuition Remission
401 K after one year of service
Health benefits
Paid PTO and sick/safe leave
Life Insurance
