Director of Development and Public Affairs at Element Education: Community Montessori & Dimensions Collaborative Charter Schools (San Diego County)
Job Summary
Job Summary
Element Education is seeking a visionary Director of Development and Public Affairs (DDPA) to lead its fundraising efforts and manage a portfolio of donors and prospects to support its investments in K-12 education and advocacy. Reporting to the Executive Director, the DDPA will create and oversee fundraising projects dedicated to delivering extraordinary results and play a crucial role in advancing Element Education’s mission of promoting and supporting self-determined learning. This role involves establishing and expanding a network of transformational donors and establishing a high-performing, scalable development program aligned with Element Education’s priorities. Additionally, the DDPA will engage in strategic planning with the intent of driving innovation and growth and securing charter renewal. As a public charter school network in San Diego County, Element Education creates an environment where children stretch and grow, are challenged and excel, discover natural talents, and develop resilience, all while building meaningful relationships with a personal learning network. Element Education fosters a love of learning while creating opportunities for children to become critical and creative thinkers, build life skills and confidence, pursue passions, and lay groundwork for a self-actualized life. Element Education believes in school choice to give children access to an education which fits their learning preferences. In the Element model, students are provided opportunity to achieve mastery through autonomy and a sense of purpose with high-quality educators and supportive caretakers who hold them to high expectations. Element Education is committed to constant reflection and improvement, nurturing children's natural curiosity to help them become excited about learning. Credentialed teachers serve as facilitators, thus limiting direct instruction, but instead preparing the environment and fostering students' independent thinking and problem solvin
Requirements / Qualifications
Location: Escondido, San Diego County Work Schedule: Full-Time Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, communications, public relations, or related field. Experience leading a team with a self-driven, entrepreneurial spirit. Passion for alternative education and school choice, especially the Montessori methodology and homeschooling. At least 3-5 years of experience in fundraising, grant writing, public affairs, or related field. Ability to travel nationwide up to 15%. Requirements Upon Hire/Offer: - AHA approved First Aid/CPR/AED Certification - Proof that employee is free of active tuberculosis - Successful background clearance
Interested candidates should upload a resume, cover letter, and two writing samples (preferably a grant proposal and a communications piece). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of Element Education as well as the responsibilities and qualifications presented in the prospectus.
- Letter of Introduction (Cover Letter - Responsive to mission of Element Education as well as the responsibilities and qualifications presented in the job description.)
- Other (Writing Sample (Preferably a grant proposal)) OR Other (Writing Sample (Preferably a communications piece))
- Resume
Requirements / Qualifications
Location: Escondido, San Diego County Work Schedule: Full-Time Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, communications, public relations, or related field. Experience leading a team with a self-driven, entrepreneurial spirit. Passion for alternative education and school choice, especially the Montessori methodology and homeschooling. At least 3-5 years of experience in fundraising, grant writing, public affairs, or related field. Ability to travel nationwide up to 15%. Requirements Upon Hire/Offer: - AHA approved First Aid/CPR/AED Certification - Proof that employee is free of active tuberculosis - Successful background clearance
Interested candidates should upload a resume, cover letter, and two writing samples (preferably a grant proposal and a communications piece). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of Element Education as well as the responsibilities and qualifications presented in the prospectus.
- Letter of Introduction (Cover Letter - Responsive to mission of Element Education as well as the responsibilities and qualifications presented in the job description.)
- Other (Writing Sample (Preferably a grant proposal)) OR Other (Writing Sample (Preferably a communications piece))
- Resume
Comments and Other Information
Location: Escondido, San Diego County
Work Schedule: Full-Time
To inspire each child's natural desire to learn by offering choice, flexibility, and learning standards based on learning styles and the developmental stages of the learner.
Element Education is a non-profit corporation which oversees two publicly funded charter schools. Our mission is to promote a culture of education which empowers learners to find and develop their passion and to inspire the natural desire to explore and learn through choice and flexibility. We refer to students’ learning styles (dispositions, modalities, interests, talents, and environment) as well as the developmental stages of learning when collaborating with the student, parents, and mentors in developing a personalized learning plan unique to each student. During their educational journey, students demonstrate mastery by making progress toward expertise in areas related to their educational goals, autonomy through choice and self-directed learning activities, and a sense of purpose by engaging in meaningful learning which contributes to something larger than themselves.
Reach your ELEMENT by helping children discover theirs!
www.myelement.org
Comments and Other Information
Location: Escondido, San Diego County
Work Schedule: Full-Time
To inspire each child's natural desire to learn by offering choice, flexibility, and learning standards based on learning styles and the developmental stages of the learner.
Element Education is a non-profit corporation which oversees two publicly funded charter schools. Our mission is to promote a culture of education which empowers learners to find and develop their passion and to inspire the natural desire to explore and learn through choice and flexibility. We refer to students’ learning styles (dispositions, modalities, interests, talents, and environment) as well as the developmental stages of learning when collaborating with the student, parents, and mentors in developing a personalized learning plan unique to each student. During their educational journey, students demonstrate mastery by making progress toward expertise in areas related to their educational goals, autonomy through choice and self-directed learning activities, and a sense of purpose by engaging in meaningful learning which contributes to something larger than themselves.
Reach your ELEMENT by helping children discover theirs!
www.myelement.org
Application Deadline
Until Filled
Date Posted
4/25/2025
Contact
Terri Novacek
619-247-3384
619-247-3384
Number of Openings
1
Salary
Pay Range
$120,225 - $186,225 Annually
$120,225 - $186,225 Annually
Length of Work Year
12 months per year
Employment Type
Full Time
Benefits
Health Benefits, Paid Time Off, Matching Retirement Plan, Professional Development
Full Time Schedule
Monday - Friday
Hours
8:00 am - 4:00 pm or as needed to fulfill the duties of the position
Location
Escondido, CA
Compensation
The wage range for this role takes into account a range of factors in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, and business/organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. Element Education believes in professional learning and reflection and utilizes a a merit based program.
Additional Information
This position is open until filled and may close at any time without prior notice.