Development Director at Classical Charter School Network

Job Title : Development Director

Location : Ascent Classical Academy Charter Schools - Golden Office Hybrid

FLSA Status : Exempt

Reports To : Chief Financial Officer

Work Hours / Days : Full Time, Monday through Friday, 8am - 4pm, occasional evenings / weekends for Events, Gatherings, Meetings

Salary Range : $100K - $125k, negotiable based on experience, with a performance bonus structure aligned with the Association of Fundraising Professionals

Start Date : January 1, 2026, or as soon as possible

Position Summary :

The Operating Philosophy adopted by the Governing Board of Ascent Classical Academy Charter Schools, Inc. (ACACS) emphasizes autonomy of each school's Headmaster coupled with support and guidance from shared resources provided by an education service provider in order to leverage the economies of scale of a charter school network so that financial impacts to each school may be minimized.

This position serves as a dynamic and experienced professional to implement and lead Ascent's Fundraising Strategic Plan. This entrepreneurial role combines strategic leadership, team building, and fundraising expertise. The successful candidate will implement the development plan created with our strategic planning partner, support campus-level fundraising, and lead a network-wide development strategy capable of sustaining Ascent Colorado's ambitious goals

Essential Functions :

• Help lead the implementation of a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with the network's mission, vision, and strategic development plan
• Oversee grant writing and management processes on behalf of the network
• Oversee donor management systems and procedures
• Propose, monitor and report on fundraising metrics and outcomes
• Propose, monitor and report on fundraising policies, procedures, and best practices
• Collaborate with the Board, the CFO, and Headmasters of each campus to establish fundraising goals and priorities, and to support campus-level events
• Identify, cultivate, and maintain relationships with individual donors, corporations, foundations, and community partners to support Ascent
• Manage the structure, budget, and resources for the network development team
• Raise significant funds for Ascent for the purpose of supporting and growing the campuses.

Required Skills / Abilities :

Complete all required training and provide documentation

Demonstrate consistent and reliable attendance by adhering to assigned work hours, reporting on time, and following proper procedures for absences or tardiness to ensure minimal disruption to students, colleagues, and school operations

Demonstrate proficiency in both written and spoken English to effectively perform their job responsibilities and communicate in the workplace

Perform other duties as assigned

Physical Requirements :

Mandatory Background Checks : In alignment with our commitment to student safety, all candidates are required to undergo a comprehensive background check, which includes reviewing criminal records and may require fingerprinting. Please be aware that certain findings in the background check may disqualify a candidate from employment in a school setting. These may include, but are not limited to :

Verification of Qualifications : You will be asked to provide verifiable proof for roles that demand specific qualifications or certifications (such as teaching credentials). We also conduct reference checks to validate your professional history and qualifications.

Adherence to Colorado Education Laws : Our recruitment process strictly follows the guidelines and regulations set forth by the Colorado Department of Education. We expect all applicants to be familiar with and adhere to these standards.

Our company participates in E-Verify. We will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.