Executive Director GCPS Foundation

Executive Director, GCPS Foundation and Development

Who We Are and What Sets GCPS Apart?

Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) is the largest school district in Georgia and the largest employer in Gwinnett County, serving more than 178,000 students across 143 schools and educational entities. Our diverse community, commitment to excellence, and focus on providing world-class educational opportunities for every student make GCPS an exceptional place to lead, serve, and create lasting impact.

The Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation supports the district's mission by cultivating philanthropic partnerships and securing resources that enhance educational opportunities and student success. We are seeking an experienced and visionary fundraising leader to serve as our next Executive Director of Foundation and Development.

Position Summary

The Executive Director of Foundation and Development serves as the chief development officer for Gwinnett County Public Schools and the Senior Executive Director of the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation Fund, Inc. This executive-level leader is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that advances the district's strategic priorities and generates philanthropic support through annual giving, major gifts, capital campaigns, planned giving, grants, corporate partnerships, and special events.

Reporting directly to district leadership and working closely with the Foundation Board of Trustees, the Executive Director provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and relationship management to strengthen community engagement and secure resources that support student achievement and educational excellence.

Strategic Fundraising and Philanthropy

• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of all fundraising initiatives, including annual giving, major gifts, endowment development, capital campaigns, planned giving, and special projects.
• Develop and execute comprehensive donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and retention strategies.
• Identify, cultivate, and secure philanthropic investments from individuals, corporations, foundations, and community organizations.
• Design and implement parent, alumni, employee, retiree, and community giving programs.
• Develop and manage a long-range planned giving program to ensure sustainable philanthropic growth.
• Lead grant research, proposal development, and grant procurement efforts.

Foundation Leadership and Board Engagement

• Serve as the Senior Executive Director of the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation Fund, Inc. Provide strategic counsel and leadership to the Foundation Board of Trustees and the Superintendent/CEO.
• Partner with Foundation leadership to establish and achieve ambitious fundraising goals.
• Lead fundraising education and training for trustees and volunteer leaders.
• Plan, coordinate, and attend all Foundation Board meetings and committee meetings.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and analyses for the Board and external stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with all Foundation and district policies and procedures.

Operations and Administration

• Lead and manage the Foundation's office operations, infrastructure, and systems.
• Oversee donor database management, gift processing, financial reporting, and record-keeping.
• Ensure accurate donor stewardship, acknowledgments, pledge fulfillment, and scholarship administration.
• Direct prospect research activities and maintain data integrity across all development systems.
• Collaborate with district leadership and finance teams to develop and manage budgets, forecasts, and financial reports.

Community, Corporate, and Employee Engagement

• Develop and strengthen partnerships with corporations, foundations, civic organizations, and community stakeholders.
• Lead employee and retiree giving campaigns and engagement efforts.
• Manage community and corporate donor relations programs.
• Support employee, retiree, and community recognition initiatives and events.
• Maintain accurate databases and records for donor and stakeholder engagement efforts.

Events and Public Engagement

• Lead planning and execution of the annual Gwinnett Sports Hall of Fame event and other major fundraising events.
• Work closely with the Foundation Board and district leadership to maximize event success and fundraising outcomes.

Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations

• Develop and implement comprehensive marketing, public relations, and communication strategies that advance the Foundation's mission and fundraising priorities.
• Partner with the Chief Engagement Officer and Superintendent/CEO to promote district initiatives and philanthropic opportunities.
• Oversee the creation and production of major Foundation publications and communications.
• Develop promotional campaigns supporting fundraising initiatives and capital campaigns.
• Strengthen awareness of the Foundation's impact among internal and external stakeholders.

Leadership and Continuous Improvement

• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Lead strategic planning efforts that align fundraising and development priorities with district goals.
• Evaluate organizational effectiveness and implement process improvements.
• Perform other duties assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Licensure: Must hold or be eligible for a valid Georgia Educator's Certificate in Educational Leadership and/or Support Personnel License issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Education, Communications, Marketing, Finance, or a related field required. Master's degree in a related field preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, nonprofit leadership, administration, development, investment planning, educational leadership, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading successful fundraising initiatives, donor engagement strategies, and organizational development efforts.
• Experience working with governing boards, executive leadership teams, and external stakeholders required.
• System-level leadership experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of fundraising principles, philanthropic strategies, and donor relations.
• Experience leading capital campaigns, annual giving programs, major gift initiatives, and grant development efforts.
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse audiences and leadership groups.
• Knowledge of event planning, sponsorship development, and community engagement strategies.
• Strong strategic planning, project management, and organizational leadership capabilities.
• Ability to manage budgets, financial resources, and development operations.
• Experience utilizing donor databases and fundraising technology systems.
• Ability to establish priorities, drive results, and achieve ambitious goals.

Why Join GCPS?

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of one of the nation's most dynamic public school systems. As Executive Director of Foundation and Development, you will help secure the resources, partnerships, and philanthropic investments that expand opportunities for students, educators, and schools across Gwinnett County.

Join a team dedicated to educational excellence, innovation, and creating opportunities that make a lasting difference for generations.

Gwinnett County Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.