Careers

Title:  Director of Development 
Position Starts:  July 1, 2025  or as soon as available
Application deadline: Rolling

 Opportunity Statement:.
Educators Collaborative is conducting this search. Please find the full posting here.

Responsibilities of the Position

• Work with Helios leadership (administration and board committee) to develop and implement a vision for fundraising at the school that resonates with the school’s mission, values, and families. 
• Coordinate fundraising efforts including the spring benefit, leadership circle work, the annual fund, and the implementation of the Facilities Vision Plan
• Work with the Head of School and Board on developing major gifts and stewarding donors  
• Implement a robust system for tracking and acknowledging gifts
• Oversee the implementation of the development portion of the new student information system, Veracross
• Manage a part-time development associate

Requirements
Education and Experience

• Relevant experience in development
• Office administration experience, a plus
• Strong project management / technology / database skills, and facility to learn new technology platforms
• Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree preferred

Personal Qualities:

• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to work with a wide range of individuals
• Exceptional communication and organizational skills
• Ability to consistently meet deadlines
• Discretion and confidentiality
• High energy, flexibility, warmth, and a sense of humor

Application Materials Requested:
Candidates interested in this position are asked to submit the following materials in a Single Merged Document, in the order listed:  

• EC Candidate Summary Sheet (Contact Sally Mixsell, below, for this document) 
• Letter of Interest, addressed to the Benedict Chant, Head of School
• Current résumé   
• A list of five references with contact information (including phone number, email address, and time zone)  
• EC Disclosure Form (Contact Sally Mixsell, below, for this document)  

Please Address Inquiries to:  
Sally Mixsell 
Partner, Educators Collaborative
smixsell@educatorscollaborative.com 

 

Helios is an innovative, independent school community for gifted learners in grades K-8 located in Sunnyvale, CA. Our faculty members collaborate to create and continuously improve an exceptional program tailored to the needs of our gifted population. This program is distinctive in how it weaves together interdisciplinary project-based learning, placement-based mathematics, social-emotional learning, opportunities for students to direct their own learning, and connections to issues in the wider world.

We boast a happy, committed faculty that enjoys teaching in a collaborative environment where they are respected and empowered. Helios teachers are professionals of high caliber who are creative, innovative, and have a growth mindset. They are experienced in progressive/ constructivist education and understand that the best education starts with the child.

Description of the job

The Admissions Coordinator (AC) supports the Director of Admissions (DA) in all aspects of their work. They provide administrative and logistical support in an efficient, resourceful, and professional manner, ensuring smooth operations of the admissions process. Discretion, independent judgment, confidentiality, and a high level of professionalism are required. The AC serves as a warm, welcoming, and engaging point of contact for prospective and current families while managing multiple responsibilities in a dynamic school environment. This position will provide opportunities to expand their role and responsibilities in the future.

Responsibilities

• Fully supports the School’s mission and serves as a positive, engaging ambassador for Helios.
• Works collaboratively with the DA, Head of School (HOS), and members of the Administrative Team.
• Fosters professional and courteous relationships with faculty, staff, administration, trustees, parents, students, and prospective families.
• Manages administrative tasks related to the admissions process, including processing applications, scheduling interviews, maintaining the admissions calendar, and ensuring all required documentation is received.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for prospective families, responding to inquiries and providing information about the school’s admissions process, programs, and philosophy.
• Supports the DA in coordinating and executing admissions events such as open houses, tours, and student visit days.
• Tracks and organizes admissions data, maintaining accurate records and reports for strategic analysis and planning.
• Assists with digital and print communications, including admissions materials, emails, website updates, and newsletters.
• Provides logistical support for re-enrollment, ensuring smooth communication with current families.
• Coordinates with faculty and staff to facilitate applicant assessments, classroom visits, and student observations.
• Submits orders to vendors for production and ensures timely delivery of promotional materials.
• Supports special projects and initiatives related to admissions, enrollment, and retention.
• Co-lead the Student Ambassador program with the DA.
• Performs other duties and oversees special assignments as assigned by the DA.

Skills and Knowledge

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with an ability to engage effectively with diverse families.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Professional and welcoming phone and email etiquette.
• Strong technical skills, including proficiency in:
• Standard office practices and procedures.
• Google Suite, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Zoom Workplace and database management.
• Admissions and CRM software (experience with Ravenna and Veracross is a plus).
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to speak enthusiastically about Helios School.
• A proactive, problem-solving mindset with a keen attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.

Education

Bachelor’s degree from accredited college or university required.

Experience

• Two to three years administrative experience, preferably in Admissions or supporting an educational and/or executive administrator.
• Experience with Salesforce, Veracross or other CRMs.
• Experience with Ravenna is highly desired.
• Experience with admission, marketing, communications, or graphic design preferred.
• Experience in a not-for-profit environment and/or independent school is highly preferred.

Compensation and status

$80,000.00 - $90,000.00 depending on experience

Working Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, with occasional weekend and evenings.

FLSA Status

Full-time, Exempt

Performance and Workplace Expectations

• Must be:
• Physically and mentally capable of performing multiple tasks simultaneously and be capable of consistently functioning well in a fast-paced environment
• Able to support and speak passionately about the School’s mission
• Work independently with little supervision
• Able to occasionally lift a minimum of 25 pounds
• Able to work a flexible schedule that may include early mornings and late evenings for meetings and school-related functions
• Willing to travel as needed, including overnight stays, to represent the School
• Capable of using a visual display terminal with keyboard
• Able to give and take criticism and direction well.
• Must enjoy working collegially and congenitally with faculty/staff, parents and children in a school that highly values community.
• Must exhibit the following qualities to be a successful team player:
• Ability to maintain confidential and positive working relationships with administrators, faculty, staff, parents, pupils, school, community organizations and the general public
• Ability to communicate in a timely and professional manner to address conflicts
• Strong evidence of commitment and loyalty to the Helios Administration Team and the School
• Strong evidence of ownership and accountability for work
• Consistent and superior attention to detail and results.

Helios is an innovative, independent school community for gifted learners in grades K-8 on the San Francisco peninsula in Sunnyvale, CA. Our faculty members collaborate to create and continuously improve an exceptional program tailored to the needs of our gifted population. This program is distinctive in the way it weaves together interdisciplinary project-based learning, placement-based mathematics, social-emotional learning, opportunities for students to direct their own learning, and connections to issues in the wider world.

Helios has immediate openings for qualified candidates to join the Helios Fellow program. The program is designed to take people who have the right characteristics to become full teachers at Helios and give them the background and training in gifted and progressive education they need to succeed at the school. Fellows will spend time gaining experience in the classrooms, with the goal of eventually becoming full teachers. Successful Fellows have come from many walks of life: industry, outdoor-ed and directly from college. 

We boast a happy, committed faculty that enjoys teaching in a collaborative environment where they are respected and empowered. Helios teachers are professionals of high caliber who are creative, innovative and have a growth mind-set. They are experienced in progressive/ constructivist education and understand that the best education starts with the child.

Please submit a cover letter and resume as a pdf to careers@heliosschool.org. 

Responsibilities

• Deepen their understanding of gifted education and teaching through reading, focused observations, and other resources
• Closely observe and reflect on a wide variety of classes and teaching styles observed throughout the school
• Substitute-teach in all rooms across the school, usually following an observation of the regular teacher
• Interact with all students through regular recess and lunch assignments
• Depending on experience, independently lead a group for a part of each week, such as electives. reading or math groups, or long-term substitute position, including creating lesson plans and assessments
• Participate in all parts of the homeroom teaching experience, including collaborative planning, camping, conferences, and parent communication
• Debrief all experiences through weekly meetings with other Fellows

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Advanced degree optional.

Experience

• Demonstrated interest in teaching or working with children 

Compensation 

• According to experience on full faculty salary scale
• Full benefits, including limited tuition reimbursement

Helios is an innovative, independent school community for gifted learners in grades K-8 on the San Francisco peninsula in Sunnyvale, CA. Our faculty members collaborate to create and continuously improve an exceptional program tailored to the needs of our gifted population. This program is distinctive in the way it weaves together interdisciplinary project based learning, placement-based mathematics, social emotional learning, opportunities for students to direct their own learning, and connection to issues in the wider world.

We boast a happy, committed faculty that enjoys teaching in a collaborative environment where they are respected and empowered. Helios teachers are professionals of high caliber who are flexible, curious, creative, innovative and have a growth mind-set. They are experienced in progressive/ constructivist education and understand that the best education starts with the child.

Please submit a cover letter and resume as a pdf to careers@heliosschool.org. 

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with a co-teacher in the same room to plan, co-teach, and reflect on the week
• Foster an environment where students feel supported to respect themselves, take intellectual risks, and develop respect and empathy for others 
• Take on varied homeroom responsibilities, including theme-based subjects, small group literacy and math classes, social emotional learning, camping, field trips, parent communication, and more
  • Collaboratively plan and implement theme-based integrated multi-subject instruction
  • Select a novel and lead weekly discussions of it, with additional literacy instruction, in your leveled group
  • Lead a small Elementary, Middle School, or High School level math class   
  • Offer an elective on a topic that excites both you and the students 
  • Participate in our camping program, which includes overnight trips twice per year
• Collaborate with administration and other grade-band teachers to continuously enhance and adapt our theme based expeditionary curriculum 

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Advanced degree highly preferred.

Experience

• Three years or more of teaching experience is preferred.

The Helios math program aims to develop in our math students excellent conceptual understanding, fluency, and problem-solving skills.  Students are placed in math levels by readiness rather than age.  Weekly teacher-led math circles encourage students to go beyond the level of concrete, representational, and abstract math to generalize, explain, and investigate their own questions.

We boast a happy, committed faculty that enjoys teaching in a collaborative environment where they are respected and empowered. Helios teachers are professionals of high caliber who are creative, innovative and have a growth mind-set. They are experienced in progressive/ constructivist education and understand that the best education starts with the child.

Helios half-time math specialist teachers join our upper-level math team, teaching two small sections of 4th-8th graders at the high school level. Scheduling allows this position to be combined with another Specialist role to create a full-time position, if both roles are available and the candidate is well-suited to both. Please submit a cover letter and resume in pdf to careers@heliosschool.org. 

Responsibilities

• Teach courses equivalent to Honors Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and beyond through the Art of Problem Solving curriculum, including weekly math circles and student presentations each semester
• Communicate a passion for mathematics to students
• Lead a multi-age class that fosters an environment where students feel supported to respect themselves, take intellectual risks, and develop respect and empathy for others 
• Take advantage of in-house professional development and collaboration opportunities, including math circle leadership training, working with gifted students, adapting and enhancing our curriculum, and more

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required.
• Advanced degree highly preferred.