About the Birch Wathen Lenox School (BWL)
Since 1916, BWL, a K–12, coeducational, college preparatory independent school, has stood out on the Upper East Side of Manhattan as one of the most close-knit institutions the big city has to offer its most promising young people. Inside our unassuming brownstone building is a beyond-supportive community of experienced educators and devoted families who are committed to a mission of fostering growth and celebrating individual differences of every student. To find out more, visit bwl.org.
Job Description
The Advancement Coordinator reports to the Director of Institutional Advancement and the Director of Communications and is an integral part of the 2.5-person Development team and the 1.5-person Communications team. The ideal candidate is creative, insightful, visionary, analytical, detail-oriented, and collaborative, while being mindful of the importance of building meaningful relationships with the school’s various offices, departments, and constituents.
Responsibilities
Development:
- Record donations and reconcile with Business Office.
- Oversee gift acknowledgments, pledge reminders, and related correspondence for all constituencies.
- Coordinate and oversee parent and alumni solicitations and mailings.
- Assist parent Annual Fund Co-Chair(s) and provide ongoing support.
- Coordinate production of all development print materials.
- Oversee event RSVP lists, ticket sales, and acknowledgment letters.
- Assist the Advancement Committee as needed.
- Assist with other development duties as assigned.
Communications:
- Design graphics for use on social media, the website, and printed materials.
- Assist with monthly parent and alumni newsletters.
- Photograph and video events and activities around school. Seek out opportunities to capture photos and videos. Edit and package content for cross-platform use on social media, the website, monthly newsletters, dedicated emails, etc.
- Collaborate with the Admissions Office and assist in admissions marketing plans.
- Coordinate with the Development Office on development communications including printed and digital materials for the Annual Fund, Annual Appeal, Benefit, Alumni activities, New Parent events, etc.
- Develop and distribute communication to current families, internal constituents, and external contacts using various content management systems.
- Create and manage content for the school's website, social media accounts, school magazine, newsletters, and other communication channels.
- Coordinate and support external contractors including photographers, videographers, designers, and others.
- Manage communication-related data in the Blackbaud Student Information System.
- Assist with other communications duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or relevant work experience, including one to three years experience working in communications. The ideal candidate will have experience working in both communications and development and experience in an independent school.
- Working knowledge of Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge or ability to learn it.
- Proficiency in graphic design and video editing software.
- Experience with digital marketing, social media, and web design platforms.
- Proficiency with CMS, social media and social media management tools, video editing software, Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, and the Google Suite.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and ability to work independently.
- Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
- High professional and ethical standards for handling confidential information.
- Physical ability to lift small items of up to 20 pounds occasionally; and to sit at a desk and use a computer for most of each day. Vision must be sufficient to read in both paper and digital formats. Ability to hear, read, write, and speak English.
- Comprehensive background check.
- While the work hours are generally 8:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m. or 8:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. during the school year, occasional evening events are required.
Interview Process
- Please include a cover letter with your resume. Resumes without a cover letter will not be considered.
- Candidates should be prepared to show examples of their work (print or digital) in communications, but will not be asked to complete a project to be considered.
- We anticipate that there will be two rounds of interviews. The first interview can be in person or by Zoom, and we are happy to schedule Zoom interviews in the evening if an applicant prefers. The second interview will be in person between 8:00 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.
- There is flexibility in timing, but we hope to have a finalist by April 30, with a start date of June 15.
- Due to the number of resumes we will receive, we will only be able to respond to candidates proceeding in the interview process.
Salary Range: $50,000-70,000
Birch Wathen Lenox has an excellent benefits package, including health insurance mostly paid by the employer, retirement account with employer match, four weeks of vacation in the summer with an additional four weeks for holidays during the school year, and summer hours with the option of a hybrid schedule. The full benefits package will be shared early in the interview process.
The Birch Wathen Lenox School is an equal-opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity and inclusion. The School does not discriminate on the basis of age, immigration or citizenship status, race or color, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, pregnancy, religion or creed, height and weight, military or veteran status, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, sexual or reproductive health decisions, employment status, credit history, caregiver/parent status, or status as a victim or survivor of domestic violence, sex offenses, or stalking. All employment decisions are made on the individual merits of each applicant.
Contact:
Penny Arnold, Director of Institutional Advancement penny.arnold@gbwl.org
Katoiya Bell, Director of Communications katoiya.bell@gbwl.org
