Development Officer

The Development Officer at Kodaikanal International School (KIS) is a senior leadership role responsible for advancing the school's mission through strategic fundraising, alumni engagement, and partnership development.

This is an Institutional Advancement role which will involve establishing critical partnerships and networks, setting up effective systems and processes, and above all, raising the resources needed to secure financial support for KIS strategic goals.

The Development Officer reports to the Director of Marketing, Admissions and Development and will work closely with the Alumni Office, KIS Senior Management and the KIS Council.

Required Qualifications:

• At least 15 years of relevant experience, of which at least 5 years should be in resource development at a leadership level
• A Master's degree in Management or any other related field, preferably from a premier institution

Hard Skills and competencies:

• Market knowledge and in-depth understanding of the best practices of fund-raising within India
• Clear understanding of taxation laws and regulations related to fund-raising, CSR and donations
• A Proven track record of leading successful fundraising campaigns and securing major gifts.

Soft Skills and competencies:

• Strong communication skills, both oral and written with the ability to make compelling presentations to potential donors and donor segments
• An ability to interact effectively and build rapport with industry leaders, HNIs and other reputed personalities across sectors and disciplines
• Strong research skills, rigor, resilience, persistence and a keen eye for detail
• he ability to make decisions, multi-task, prioritize, and meet deadlines in a dynamic and challenging environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, SalesForce and other relevant software tools
• An understanding of digital and social media, and how they can be leveraged to achieve objectives.
• he ability to travel extensively, and at short notice, within India and overseas

Leadership

• Charting the Development roadmap in line with the strategic aims and operational requirements of KIS
• Defining and implementing an effective fund-raising strategy for KIS
• Leading a Development function that is capable of successfully delivering Operational, Scholarship and Capital resource mobilization against agreed targets

Fundraising within India

• Establishing and nurturing KIS relationships with diverse donor segments including UHNIs, HNIs, Foundations, Corporates, CSR Trusts, Philanthropists and Philanthropic Foundations
• Creating and building an ongoing pipeline of prospects through regular and directed research and engagement
• Driving the development of persuasive and innovative proposals, case studies, and other collateral as relevant to specific donor segments, in collaboration with the Marketing Office, and relevant KIS departments

Alumni Engagement

• Collaborate with the Alumni Office to strengthen and broaden the base of KIS relationships with alumni and parents both current and former
• Use Technology to segment the Alumni database and use segment specific value propositions to foster personal and targeted engagement with the Top 10% of donor alumni
• Actively participate in alumni gatherings, both large and small, to stay in touch with Class Representatives, Chapter Representatives, and affinity groups

Collaboration with Kodai Friends International (KFI)

• Work with KFI to align and grow support for KIS's strategic goals by directing KFI funds towards the school's immediate needs.
• Identify and explore areas of existing grant activity that align with KIS priorities, facilitating tighter synchronization between KFI and KIS.
• Pursue new and existing funding sources globally, focusing on non-profits, foundations, and top funders. Build relationships with global organizations that align with KFI's vision, driving financial support for KIS strategic objective
• Coordinate with KFI and engage alumni ambassadors, Class Representatives, and Chapter Representatives to deliver campaign messages globally.

Operations and Compliance

• Holding overall operational and budgetary responsibility for the Development Office
• Working closely with different Program Heads at KIS to support their strategic planning and business development initiatives
• Working closely with the Finance & Legal team to ensure adherence to all regulatory frameworks and compliance norms
• Establishing a process of due diligence and screening of potential partners and donors to ensure strategic clearance for engagement
• Regularly reporting to the KIS Leadership and Council on Resource development status, activities, achievements, and plans
• Ensuring the sharing of regular updates and other institutional communication, as appropriate, with all Donors

Professional Growth

• Building and maintaining cutting-edge knowledge of evolving resource development trends, strategies and practices.