Helios School
Director of Development
Start Date: July 1, 2025 or earlier
Coed Day School, Grades K-8
Enrollment: 164 Students
597 Central Avenue, Sunnyvale CA
Educators Collaborative is pleased to assist Helios School in its senior administrator search for its next Director of Development, to begin July 1, 2025 or sooner.
The School
Founded in 2007 Helios School serves gifted learners, understanding that they often experience “asynchrony”- uneven emotional, intellectual and even physical development. The school therefore integrates social-emotional learning into all aspects of its academic program and culture. Helios students are best served by this environment as it is safe and engaging; the school firmly believes that educating the whole child will lead to self-discovery and growth.
The school seeks to help students understand their “authentic selves,” believing that authenticity comes from understanding and accepting oneself and is the basis of self-respect. The progressive nature of the educational program calls for frequent experiential learning opportunities that are supported by an Imagine Lab, fieldwork, and project-based curricula.
Mission
To provide engaging and imaginative education that meets the unique intellectual, social and emotional needs of gifted students and their families, and to empower authenticity through respect for self and others.
Sunnyvale, California
Sunnyvale, a city of 157,000, is the 7th largest city in the Bay Area and touts strong city planning over the years to allow for ample space for outdoor activities and a “neighborhood” feel, despite its size. The City’s park and recreation system boasts 23 parks; facilities for golf, tennis and swimming; a library; and an arts complex. Sunnyvale’s historic downtown, home to a variety of local restaurants and shops, hosts frequent art festivals, concerts and a year-round farmers’ market.
Sunnyvale is part of Silicon Valley, and tech is therefore one of the top industries of the city, as is the aerospace/defence industry. Companies such as Apple, Google, LinkedIn, Meta, and Walmart Labs all have a presence in Sunnyvale. The influx of these and other businesses since the 2010’s has created a wonderfully diverse population.
About the Position
The Director of Development will work closely with the Head of School, the administrative team, and the board. Fundraising efforts will build upon strong foundations: community participation in the annual fund is high and contributions have increased year over year. The school’s finances are strong.
The 2022 Strategic Plan offers a clear road map for the future. As fundraising goals emerge over the next two years, the school has begun work on a Facilities Vision Plan and will be looking for someone who can help marshal the school’s energy and resources to make this vision a reality.
The successful candidate will become an integral part of the school community and participate fully in the daily community life of the school, joining other administrators on carline and playground duty, for example. An ability to quickly become familiar with the school’s authentic, cheerful culture will be essential for success. Helios values colleagues who are willing to pitch in and participate.
The position is supported by a 0.5 FTE development assistant who manages the school’s new Veracross system and will help support the work of the director as needed.
Responsibilities of the Position
- Work with Helios leadership (administration and board committee) to develop and implement a vision for fundraising at the school that resonates with the school’s mission, values, and families.
- Coordinate fundraising efforts including the spring benefit, leadership circle work, the annual fund, and the implementation of the Facilities Vision Plan
- Work with the Head of School and Board on developing major gifts and stewarding donors
- Implement a robust system for tracking and acknowledging gifts
- Oversee the implementation of the development portion of the new student information system, Veracross
- Manage a part-time development associate
Requirements
Education and Experience
- Relevant experience in development
- Office administration experience, a plus
- Strong project management / technology / database skills, and facility to learn new technology platforms
- Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree preferred
Personal Qualities:
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to work with a wide range of individuals
- Exceptional communication and organizational skills
- Ability to consistently meet deadlines
- Discretion and confidentiality
- High energy, flexibility, warmth, and a sense of humor
Compensation and benefits are competitive, with an anticipated salary range of $100,000 to $150,000.
Statement of Non-Discrimination
Helios School admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Sally Mixsell (Mike’-sul) of Educators Collaborative for a preliminary conversation, if desired, before submitting materials. Applications for this expedited search are rolling as the school hopes to engage the right person as soon as reasonably possible.
- EC Candidate Summary Sheet (contact Sally Mixsell for this document)
- Letter of Interest addressed to Ben Chant, Head of School
- Current résumé
- A list of five or more professional references with contact information (name, relationship to candidate, phone number, and email addresses)
- EC Disclosure Form (contact Sally for this document)
Application materials should be sent via email in a single, merged pdf file to:
Sally Mixsell, Partner, Educators Collaborative,
Listing Date: February 7, 2025
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