Director of Advancement & Strategic Initiatives

School Overview 

Valley Beth Shalom Harold M. Schulweis Day School is a K-6 independent Jewish Day School located on the Valley Beth Shalom Synagogue campus in Encino, California. The school was founded in 1978 by nationally renowned Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis z"l, and established to provide both a stellar General Studies and Judaic studies curriculum. Rabbi Schulweis believed that school should be a place where students grapple with questions and issues cultivating their critical thinking and learning to take action to make the world a better place. He believed this should be done in an environment that fostered strong Jewish values and active involvement in Jewish experiences and community. 45+ years later, the school stands true to the original mission as a forward- thinking learning environment, linking traditional Jewish values and teaching to modern-day decision making and action, all within a vibrant and nurturing Jewish community. 

Position Overview

Valley Beth Shalom Day School seeks a strategic and collaborative leader to serve as Director of Advancement & Strategic Initiatives. This senior leadership role will oversee the school’s advancement, development, admissions, and marketing initiatives, ensuring their integration into a unified strategy that supports long-term growth, sustainability, and community engagement. As a key partner to the Head of School and Board of Trustees, the Director will be responsible for driving mission-aligned strategic planning, cultivating institutional partnerships, and strengthening relationships with current and prospective families, donors, and alumni. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned professional who is committed to advancing Jewish education through thoughtful leadership, relationship-building, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Serve as a strategic partner to the Head of School and Board of Trustees on all matters related to enrollment management, fundraising, marketing, communications, and community engagement.
• In partnership with the Head of School and Board of Trustees, oversee the development and execution of long-range strategic planning.
• Collaborate with the Head of School and Head of Finance to ensure that the development and ongoing management of the school’s budget is rooted in strategic and realistic projections for enrollment, tuition, and fundraising.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive external relations strategy that elevates the school’s visibility and reputation within the Jewish and broader community.
• Ensure accurate data management, reporting, and processes for all advancement matters.
• Oversee the recruitment, hiring, and development of team members in the Admissions, Development, and Communications/Marketing departments.

Advancement and Development

• Supervise and support the Director of Development in cultivating a culture of philanthropy throughout the school community, designing an effective annual fund campaign, and implementing advancement programming aligned with VBSDS’s mission and values.
• Oversee the design and implementation of major gift, alumni engagement, endowment, and capital campaign strategies.
• Partner with the Head of School and Board Development Committee to cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and foundations.
• Ensure accurate and effective use of advancement systems.

Admissions & Enrollment Management

• Supervise and support the Director of Admission in designing and executing effective student recruitment, enrollment, and retention strategies aligned with VBSDS’s mission and values.
• Partner with the Head of School and Educational Leadership Team to identify opportunities and challenges for retention and oversee the execution of retention strategies.
• Oversee admission analytics and reporting to guide strategy, forecasting, and tuition modeling.

Marketing & Communications

• Supervise and support the Advancement Manager and Creative Director in planning and executing communications that are clear, timely and reflective of VBSDS’s mission and values.
• Oversee school-wide marketing and branding efforts, ensuring strong messaging and outreach to current and prospective families.
• Collaborate with VBS Synagogue marketing and communications team as necessary and appropriate to ensure effective cross-messaging.

Community Engagement

• Serve as the administrative liaison for the Parent Organization (PO).
• Develop best practices and procedures for the PO that foster a culture of engagement and strengthen connections within the parent body and between parents and the school.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with parents, alumni, alumni parents, and grandparents to foster lifelong engagement.

Qualifications

• Experience in advancement, fundraising, admissions, or institutional strategy required; experience in more than one of these areas preferred.
• Proven track record of leading successful teams and complex cross-functional projects in an independent school, Jewish organization, or non-profit educational setting.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to inspire a wide range of stakeholders.
• Understanding and appreciation of Jewish values, traditions, and community life.
• Familiarity with donor and admissions databases a plus (VBSDS is currently using Blackbaud and Raisers Edge).
• Best fit candidates will demonstrate a strategic mindset, collaborative spirit, curious nature, love of learning and a sense of joy.