MANAGER OF ADVANCEMENT SERVICES

Hawken School is committed to doing school differently and better. We seek to create an accepting community where adults are empowered to design educational experiences for students that are deep and learner-centered. Hawken School seeks teachers, administrators, and staff members who are committed to fostering a culture of respect and belonging, who are willing to take risks, and who embrace a growth mindset. We are constantly looking for new ways to inspire student curiosity and agency while remaining dedicated to nurturing compassion and kindness in our students.

THE POSITION
Hawken seeks an experienced, highly organized, collaborative, and service-minded Manager of Advancement Services to join Hawken’s Advancement team.
The Manager serves as the team’s primary expert for Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT and plays a central role in the department’s database management, reporting, gift processing, and operational effectiveness. This individual ensures the accuracy and reliability of the information that drives our fundraising efforts while helping colleagues use data and technology effectively. Raiser’s Edge serves as the school’s primary constituent database for all offices.
This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys working with data, solving problems, improving processes, and partnering with colleagues to support meaningful organizational goals.
Hawken’s Advancement team raises approximately $2 million annually through the Annual Fund and an additional $5-7 million through campaigns and other fundraising initiatives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Database Management & Systems
  • Serve as the Advancement team’s primary expert and resource for Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge 7 and Raiser’s Edge NXT
  • Coordinate the migration to Raiser’s Edge NXT, as appropriate, ensuring accurate data conversion, thorough testing, and a smooth transition
  • Maintain accurate and complete constituent, donor, and campaign records
  • Establish and implement consistent database standards, procedures, and best practices and coordinate with standards in other school offices
  • Conduct regular data audits, resolve data integrity issues, and manage duplicate records
  • Train and support Advancement colleagues in the effective and consistent use of Raiser’s Edge NXT
  • Identify opportunities to improve database functionality, workflows, and operational efficiency
  • Coordinate the annual database changeover at the beginning of each academic year 
Reporting & Analytics
  • Develop and execute queries, exports, lists, dashboards, and reports to support fundraising, communications, events, stewardship, and other Advancement initiatives
  • Track and report Annual Fund and campaign progress, gift and pledge activity, donor participation, and other key performance metrics
  • Produce regular Annual Fund participation reports for the Advancement team
  • Generate complex and ad hoc reports to address evolving analytical and operational needs
  • Compile and verify donor recognition lists for the school’s public-facing Annual Report
  • Coordinate annual benchmarking and institutional reporting requirements, including submissions to INDEX Schools and other relevant organizations
  • Partner with colleagues to identify reporting needs, interpret data, and develop practical solutions that inform decision-making
Gift Processing & Financial Reconciliation
  • Process and record gifts, pledges, pledge payments, recurring gifts, and campaign commitments accurately and efficiently
  • Coordinate timely donor acknowledgments and pledge reminders, ensuring consistent and appropriate donor communication
  • Maintain accurate campaign, fund, appeal, and gift designation records
  • Partner with the Business Office to reconcile gift records, deposits, online giving transactions, and financial reports, investigating and resolving discrepancies
  • Perform regular financial reconciliations and maintain complete, audit-ready gift records and supporting documentation
  • Support the school’s annual independent audit by providing accurate gift records and related documentation
  • Ensure the accuracy and consistency of Advancement records and financial information in collaboration with the Business Office
Advancement Operations & Collaboration
  • Support Annual Fund, campaign, alumni, constituent relations, and other Advancement initiatives through accurate data, timely reporting, and effective list development
  • Identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and strengthen the team’s use of technology
  • Manage multiple priorities and deadlines while maintaining a high standard of accuracy, responsiveness, and service
  • Handle confidential donor and constituent information with discretion and professionalism
QUALIFICATIONS
  • Experience with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT or another sophisticated fundraising CRM or database system; Raiser’s Edge experience strongly preferred
  • Interest in emerging technologies, including automation and artificial intelligence, and the ability to identify opportunities to leverage technology to improve systems, processes, and operational efficiency
  • Strong database management, reporting, and data analysis skills, including experience developing queries, exports, and targeted lists
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with an interest in improving processes and operational efficiency
  • Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines
  • A collaborative, service-oriented approach and the ability to translate colleagues’ needs into practical solutions
Experience in an independent school, college or university, foundation, or nonprofit organization is preferred. Candidates with strong database, CRM, financial reconciliation, data management, or operations experience in other settings are encouraged to apply.
A bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience is preferred.

HAWKEN CANDIDATE COMPETENCIES
Mission, Culture, and Philosophy Alignment: Successful candidates show they can thrive at Hawken and are highly motivated by the school’s mission.
Fair Play: Successful candidates indicate a commitment to and have experience with serving students and communities equitably.
Relationship Building and Cultivation: Successful candidates show they can build relationships throughout the Hawken community.
Content Knowledge: Successful candidates demonstrate depth in content area knowledge as well as an ability to inspire students to a high level of excellence and challenge and take a student-centered approach to all aspects of their work.
Humility and Growth Mindset: Successful candidates are eager to learn new approaches and methods and be able to team effectively with others.
Approach to Work: Successful candidates show initiative and agency with a commitment toward feedback and flexible problem-solving.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
  • Salary commensurate with role, experience, and education level
  • 403(b) with a generous employer match
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Employer-paid life insurance and AD&D
  • Short- and long-term disability coverage
  • Partial tuition remission for dependents who attend Hawken School
  • Financial and retirement advising at no cost to employees
THE SCHOOL
Founded on the ideal that “the better self shall prevail and each generation introduce its successor to a higher plane of life,” Hawken School is a coeducational independent day school with 1,600 students in toddler through grade 12. Our four campuses are located within 25 minutes of downtown Cleveland, and an urban extension center in the city’s museum district provides a demanding and integrated course of study in a diverse and dynamic environment.
To learn more about us, visit www.hawken.edu.

HOW TO APPLY
Submit an employment application through this link. Address your cover letter to Kathleen Z. Guzzi, Director of Advancement.

Hawken School is an equal-opportunity employer dedicated to promoting all forms of diversity in the workplace and in our student body. We strongly urge all qualified individuals to apply.
Back
An independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school, toddler through grade 12

Early Childhood, Lower, and Middle Schools, 5000 Clubside Rd, Lyndhurst, OH 44124
Birchwood School of Hawken, 4400 West 140th Street, Cleveland, OH 44135 
Upper School, PO Box 8002 (12465 County Line Rd), Gates Mills, OH 44040
Mastery School of Hawken, 11025 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
Gries Center, 10823 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106

Directions  |  Log in  |  440-423-4446