Position Title: Advancement Manager (full-time)

Immediate Supervisor: Head of Administration (HoA)

Status: Full-time Administrative Position (12 months)

Classification: Exempt

Work Authorization: Candidate must be authorized to work in the US

Compensation: Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience

Benefits: Include health, dental, and vision insurance, generous paid leave, and a 401k

Start Date: Very soon (within 1 month)

About the School

The German International School Chicago (GISC) is a private, nonprofit, bilingual IB World School, authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization and accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS). GISC opened its doors in 2009 and is offering classes for students from Preschool through Grade 8. As of October 2024, GISC is officially recognized as a German School Abroad (Deutsche Auslandsschule - DAS).

Overview GISC’s Advancement Manager leads marketing, communications, fundraising, and donor engagement efforts to drive GISC’s growth and visibility. This role ensures consistent branding and messaging across communication channels, manages development campaigns, and cultivates key donor relationships. The ideal candidate will have experience in marketing strategy, nonprofit fundraising, and communications.

Essential Job Functions: Marketing

Develops strategies and programs to effectively market GISC to internal and external communities as well as targeted prospective parents/families.

Updates existing marketing plan as needed with strategic long-term and tactile short-term objectives.

Oversees brand management, ensuring consistency across print, digital, and social media platforms.

Manages content creation for newsletters, events, presentations, ads, press releases, promotional materials, website updates, and community outreach.

Collaborates closely with admissions to promote enrollment growth through strategic marketing efforts.

Manages social media strategy.

Coordinates and maintains all marketing and communications documentation and plans.

Builds and maintains relationships with DACH partners, local media and community organizations to promote the school’s mission and achievements.

Organizes and executes school events in collaboration with other team members and volunteers.

Manages GISC’s relationships with advertising partners, graphic designer, media, and other marketing partners.

Manages and monitors GISC’s marketing budget.

Prepares monthly written reports for Board of Trustees meeting; liaises with the Board of Trustees’ Marketing Committee members on annual objectives.

Works collaboratively with other admins, faculty, and volunteers.

Conducts demographic and market research as needed.

Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Essential Job Functions: Development & Fundraising

Develops and implements annual fundraising strategies, including major gifts, grants, and capital campaigns.

Cultivates relationships with donors, alumni, and community and corporate partners to secure financial support.

Oversees donor stewardship, including recognition programs and personalized engagement.

Leads event planning for fundraising including an annual gala and donor appreciation initiatives.

Researches grant opportunities and prepares compelling proposals to support school programs.

Maintains, tracks, and analyzes a detailed, accurate, and up-to-date contact database for all current and potential donors as well as interested community members.

Works collaboratively with faculty & staff, members of the Board of Trustees including its Development Committee, the GISC Parent Group (GPG), and volunteers to grow the school.

Prepares development reports for monthly board meetings.

Ensures compliance with legal and ethical fundraising standards.

Specific Qualifications/Skills

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent level of degree or experience

Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and German (bilingual German-English preferred)

Proven experience in fundraising, donor relations, and marketing within a nonprofit or educational setting.

Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to craft compelling narratives.

Proficiency in digital marketing, social media management, and donor database systems.

Self-driven team player who also works well independently

Excellent work ethic with proven ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, multi-task, and carefully proof their own work

Must have a keen eye for detail, design, and branding

Great organizational and event planning skills

Great interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate widely with various constituencies throughout GISC’s community

Dependability, reliability and willingness to pitch in to get things done

WCMS (preferably Blackbaud), Meta (Facebook and Instagram), LinkedIn experience

Google Suite, Google Analytics, Google Ads, and SEM experience

InDesign, Canva, or other design software experience

Work Environment – Physical Requirements This position operates in an office environment that is accessible. Some work at off-site locations may be required, and those may not necessarily be fully accessible. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, scanners and filing cabinets. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 50 pounds. This position is fully on-site and requires attendance from 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday, during office hours. This workplace is a smoke- and drug-free environment.