MADISON – Madison City Schools plans to hire a Development Office Coordinator who will work to organize a development office.

Ranae Bartlett, President of Madison Board of Education, said the board wants Superintendent Robert V. Parker to establish a Development Office this year for Madison City Schools.

“Think of it like a Development Office at a college or university that serves as a central point for coordinating philanthropic donations, cultivating relationships with alumni and seeking funding from private individuals,” Bartlett said.

Many people who move to Madison for its superior schools also engage in charitable giving, she said. “We also have a unique opportunity to help major donors who want to make an impact or even leave their name associated with one of the many fine academic, artistic or athletic programs in Madison City Schools,” Bartlett said.

“We have been a school system long enough now and have demonstrated such success and sustainability that we have even had people inquire about planned giving and how to leave something for Madison City Schools in their estate planning,” Bartlett said. “A Development Office will help us coordinate all of those efforts.”

The coordinator will face an exciting opportunity as the first person to establish this new office for the Madison district. A candidate should have fundraising experience and a background in business, marketing or non-profit work. The coordinator must want to help MCS to form partnerships with the business community and stakeholders.

“Although this person will work with educators to understand our school system’s needs, fund development is the main focus for this job,” Bartlett said.

The coordinator will work primarily with Chief School Financial Officer Jana Gray and Superintendent Parker.

The salary range is from $89,864 to $104,329 with an additional higher-degree supplement of $2,771 for education specialist or AA qualification or $4,434 for a doctorate’s degree.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in business or related field or any equivalent combination of education and experience. The candidate needs two years of grant-writing experience, emphasizing federal and state grants. Experience in non-profit fundraising is preferred.

The Development Office will help in creating high-school alumni offices and in securing community partnerships and grants for students.

A successful candidate must be creative with a self-starter attitude and work independently under minimal guidance and in team environments. The coordinator will research new public and private funding that match Madison’s priorities.

For a complete job description, visit madisoncity.k12.al.us.