Director of Advancement

Headwaters Academy is now accepting applications for Director of Advancement

The Opportunity:

Headwaters Academy (HWA) is an independent middle school in Bozeman, MT, that focuses on developing students who possess great independence, strong self-advocacy, good decision-making skills, and a solid set of personal values. We care as much about who our children are becoming as what they are learning. Founded in 1990, Headwaters Academy is Bozeman's only independent middle school. Our mission is to build confident, capable learners and leaders for a changing world.

With approximately 90 students spanning grades 6-8, the school provides an academically rigorous and project-based curriculum. We entrust students with the freedom to explore and share their thoughts in an environment based on mutual respect. HWA works to foster a school culture in which adolescents feel invested in their school community, feel seen and appreciated, and feel comfortable being their full selves at school.

Headwaters Academy offers its students unique educational experiences with our Outdoor Education program and Field Study Trips. Students experience a rich variety of challenging learning opportunities.

Our faculty comes from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, but there is a common interest that unites them: a passion for education and dedication to the cultivation of academic excellence in middle school students. Visit our school and you quickly see why we have the reputation of having the best educators in the Gallatin Valley.

Located in the heart of Bozeman, our new campus and classroom building provide students and faculty with spacious classrooms and state of the art technology. Campus grounds offer wide-open space for active middle school students.

Position Summary:

The Director of Advancement will work in close partnership with the Head of School and Board of Directors to carry out the mission and vision of the school. The Director of Advancement will join a dedicated and experienced leadership team and have primary responsibility for representing Headwaters Academy to the public, leading strategic planning and overseeing admissions, and optimizing the financial performance of the school.  Core responsibilities include:

• Work in close partnership with Head of School to lead the school in day-to-day operations and ensure the school’s long-term successful operation

• Work collaboratively with the Head of School and Board to formulate and manage the operating budget of the school

• Ensure the optimal financial performance of the school

• Manage the operational budget such that optimal performance is achieved and effectively communicated to the board, families, benefactors and other constituents

• Drive development and fundraising in collaboration with the development committee build and steward funder/grantor and partner relationships

• Oversee the admission process, conduct tours, open houses, and interviews for student candidates in partnership with and in management of the admissions

• committee

• Lead marketing effort, cultivate relationships with the educational community both local and otherwise, and the public in general

• Foster an environment of accountability, healthy work relationships and partnerships, and inclusivity among faculty and staff

• Strategic planning for HWA and implementation of a school improvement plan

• Work closely with board committees to draft a new strategic plan in 2023

• Reports directly to and is subject to the direction, supervision, and control of the Board of Directors

The ideal candidate for this position will have the following professional skills and characteristics:

• Minimum of five years prior experience in a senior leadership role

• Demonstrated experience fundraising: year-end appeals, soliciting major gifts,

• Demonstrated experience in educational systems or nonprofit operations

• Proven abilities and experience in fiscal management and the preparation and implementation of budgets

• Outstanding communication skills in multiple environments with a range of audiences

• Experience in creating and establishing clear, measurable goals

• Significant experience interacting with diverse Boards and volunteers

• Expertise in building teams and developing partnerships in the workplace

• A master’s degree in a relevant discipline is preferred, a bachelor’s degree is required

• Experience with admissions is a plus but not required

Headwaters Academy aspires to be an equitable and inclusive school community. The school welcomes applications from candidates who will contribute to an atmosphere in which all are valued and supported. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

How to Apply:

We are now accepting applications. To apply, please send an email stating your interest in the position to:   SearchCommittee@headwatersacademy.org  Please submit a current resume or CV, a statement of your leadership philosophy, and a list of three to five professional references, including contact information. Although applications will be welcomed until a new Director of Advancement is selected, for best consideration, candidates should submit materials by April 30th.

We are now accepting applications. To apply, please send an email stating your interest in the position to:   SearchCommittee@headwatersacademy.org  Please submit a current resume or CV, a statement of your leadership philosophy, and a list of three to five professional references, including contact information. Although applications will be welcomed until a new Director of Advancement is selected, for best consideration, candidates should submit materials by April 30th.