stevenson school - carney sandoe & associates · stevenson school in 1952. named for the...

StevenSon SchoolPebble beach, californiaDirector of aDvancement

July 1, 2017www.stevensonschool.org

The School

Founded in 1952, Stevenson School is one of the leading independent boarding and day schools in the western United States. Enrolling 750 students in grades PK-12, it is a distinctly warm and supportive school, operating two campuses on the beautiful Monterey Peninsula. Stevenson offers its students, faculty, and staff a values-driven community experience influenced by the distinctive beauty, ecological biodiversity, and contemplative culture of California’s Central Coast.

For more than 60 years, Stevenson has welcomed students from across the country and around the world, preparing them for honest and honorable lives. As an American school with a global sensibility, Stevenson is premised on a vision of education as the means by which we discover the world and contribute to its transformation, and the belief that one’s education is best pursued in the company of others, for others’ benefit as well as one’s own. Its Latin motto—Suaviter in modo, fortiter in re (“Gentle in manner, resolute in action”)—inspires both humility and perseverance.

Dr. Kevin Hicks ’85 returned to Stevenson in July 2015 to succeed Joe Wandke, who retired following 32 years of service, as President and Head of School. Arriving from The Hotchkiss School, where he served as Head of School and before that Dean of Faculty, Kevin also served as the Dean of Berkeley College at Yale University, and has taught English and coached

1The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com

Mission StatementsGRADES PK-8Stevenson, a selective PK-8 day school for academically promising children, embraces three aims:• to prepare students for continued success• to kindle their delight in learning• to help them shape a joyful life

Therefore, we maintain:• a faculty and staff of gifted, principled,

attentive adults• a child-focused curriculum—innovative

in method, traditional in content, and multicultural in scope

• an exceptional range of academic, athletic and artistic choices for children to explore, both independently and with friends

• a loving, welcoming community, grounded in ethical and spiritual values

• an appealing, child-friendly campus in a quiet ocean-view neighborhood of Carmel

GRADES 9-12Stevenson, a selective school for college-bound boarding and day students, commits to three aims:• to prepare students for success in college

and beyond• to foster their passion for learning and

achievement• to help them shape a joyful life

Therefore, we maintain:• a faculty and staff of gifted, principled,

attentive adults• a lively curriculum—innovative in method,

scholarly in content, and global in scope• an exceptional range of academic, athletic,

and artistic choices for students to explore, both independently and with friends

• a respectful, welcoming community, grounded in ethical and spiritual values

• a serene, comfortable campus along the magnificent forested coastline of the Monterey Peninsula


at a variety of secondary schools, both public and private, as well as colleges and universities. Kevin brings a new sense of excitement, intention, and leadership to the school that has faculty genuinely enthused to work together to enhance instructional excellence in a supportive and values-based learning environment.”

At this time, Stevenson seeks an experienced Director of Advancement, reporting directly to the President and supporting the missions of the boarding and day schools. S/he will serve on the President’s senior management team. The successful candidate will oversee a team of eight and will create, map, communicate, and implement short and long-term strategies to address the financial needs of Stevenson in collaboration with the school’s leadership on and off-campus. The new Director of Advancement (DOA) will be an experienced manager, creative leader, and effective communicator who respects and honors Stevenson’s culture and traditions, while recognizing opportunities for effective and innovative initiatives. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and creative leader to enhance Stevenson’s $26 million endowment, physical plant and operating budget, starting with broader Annual Fund participation.

hiSTory

Robert Ricklefs—who had served on General Eisenhower’s staff during World War II—founded Stevenson School in 1952. Named for the expatriate Scottish writer, composer, and adventurer Robert Louis Stevenson—who spent a portion of his life in the vicinity—the school embraces its namesake’s daring spirit by valuing creativity, curiosity, responsibility, and independence in all of its pursuits. The original campus covered 17 wooded acres and consisted of six rustic buildings—a different picture from the nationally and internationally recognized school it is today. Thanks to Ricklefs’ leadership, the school added 16 new buildings and acquired 21 more acres of land during his tenure, and achieved sharp increases in enrollment.

Stevenson opened its doors to girls as day students in 1976 and as boarders in 1988. Joe Wandke began his 32-year tenure as Head of School in 1983. Under his leadership, the school experienced significant periods of growth and expansion while securing its position as a leader in independent education. The original campus has been renovated extensively; grades K-8 were added on a separate campus in 1988 (a vibrant PK program was added in 2011).


Today, Stevenson School is a selective, coeducational boarding and day school with two campuses located three miles apart—in Pebble Beach and Carmel—that include 30 buildings on 50 acres. The 500-student upper division, comprised of grades 9-12, is located on the original Pebble Beach Campus (where about 60% of students are boarders); the 250-student elementary and middle divisions, comprised of grades PK-8, are located on the Carmel Campus.

AcAdemicS

Stevenson seeks to provide an atmosphere that promotes a love of learning and achievement and prepares students for healthy, sustainable success during their time at Stevenson, in college, and beyond. Students in the elementary and middle divisions experience a curriculum that keeps them academically engaged, intellectually curious, and independent. With a student/teacher ratio of 12:1 in kindergarten through grade 8 (7:1 in pre-kindergarten), students receive instruction in core academic subjects including English, history, mathematics, science, STEM, Chinese, and Spanish, and the arts. Technology is integrated across the curriculum.

The upper division offers students a challenging program of study, an average class size of 14, and a 1:1 advisory program. Teachers train students in essential academic skills, while also fostering their social and emotional growth. Students are taught to think critically, collaborate, reflect, innovate, and communicate while learning how to refine and pursue their ambitions and support those of their peers. As a college-preparatory school, Stevenson’s upper division classes are challenging, and geared for motivated students. The six academic departments—mathematics, science, English, history, arts, and foreign language—offer interactive, fast-paced classes that encourage inquiry and exploration.

ArTS And AThleTicS

The Fine Arts Program consists of art, dance, and music in the elementary and middle divisions. Options expand in the upper division to include photography, theatre, instrumental and vocal troupes,


and the largest student-run FM radio station in the western U.S., KSPB 91.9. All students participate in fine arts classes and special performances and events throughout the year.

Stevenson’s athletics program offers a broad range of options. In addition to physical education classes and an after-school sports program for grades PK-8, students in grades 5-8 can compete in a competitive sports league that includes five different sports options. The upper division offers 24 interscholastic teams allowing students to excel at a favorite sport and also try new ones. The school’s coaching staff is student-focused and places a high value on sportsmanship. The Pirates regularly bring home local, regional, and state championships.

STudenT life

Student life at Stevenson is vibrant and diverse. Both campuses maintain a lively atmosphere, bringing in speakers, holding musical performances, and participating in community service. Whether through clubs, student activities, service learning, the residential life program, or outdoor education, each student has many opportunities to pursue his or her interests, make friends, and discover new talents and passions. Students are encouraged to take risks and try new things in a safe and supportive environment.

Pebble beAch, cAliforniA

While Pebble Beach is a small residential community, it and the surrounding communities are distinctively lively and culturally vibrant. The Monterey Peninsula, called “the greatest meeting of land and sea in the world,” has attracted tourists and artists since the late 19th century. Today, it is home not only to world-class golf courses, but also to considerable intellectual capital, located in such institutions as the Middlebury Institute for International Studies, California State University


Monterey Bay, the Defense Language Institute, and the Naval Postgraduate School. It is also home to the superb Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, and Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine Station, as well as enriching annual gatherings such as the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Carmel Bach Festival, the Pebble Beach Authors and Ideas Festival, and the Concourse d’Elegance.

oPPorTuniTieS And chAllengeS

The new Director of Advancement will be a key partner within the President and Head of School’s senior administrative team, charged with achieving an ambitious set of annual and capital fundraising goals approved by the Head of School and Board of Trustees. Stevenson’s fundraising will continue to emphasize and capitalize on its distinctive culture, its highly effective teaching goals, and its noteworthy reputation as a globally-recognized coeducational boarding and day school.

The new DOA must devise strategies and implement procedures in all phases of the advancement program. Despite raising $1.5 million for the Annual Fund in 2015-16, participation levels among current parents and especially alumni are significantly lower than those at peer schools. Thus, a reenergized program of engagement for alumni must be installed, and more targeted appeals to both current parents and alumni crafted. Further, despite enjoying campaign success during Wandke’s tenure that significantly improved the physical plant, more capital projects await the new DOA, with immediate plans for new turf playing fields and faculty housing, closely followed by a renovation/expansion of the school’s science facilties. Towards these ends, the successful candidate must identify and cultivate major gift prospects who have the capacity to help the school fulfill its mission. In short, a broad-based major gifts program, involving prospect identification, research and moves management, needs to be more fully established. Additionally, steps to increase the school’s endowment, such as initiating a planned giving program, will be essential. Stewardship of all donors will be a priority as well.


Simultaneously, the new DOA must get to know the Advancement personnel, understanding their respective roles and determining any voids in staffing or emphasis. As well, as part of the senior administrative team, the successful candidate must forge productive working relationships with the Head of School, Board members, the Director of Admission, the COO/CFO, and the Director of Communications. Being a visible presence on campus, well-known to faculty and staff, will also enhance the Advancement Office’s efforts.

reSPonSibiliTieS of The direcTor of AdvAncemenT

• Hire, train, motivate, manage, and evaluate an advancement team of eight; • Engage the Board of Trustees in fundraising goals and initiatives; • Assess and monitor annual development goals and develop longer-term plans for approval by the

President and Head of School; • Externally represent Stevenson to current and prospective support constituencies;• Sustain and enhance current development, alumni relations, and parent programming; • Partner with the Trustee Development Committee to help implement annual support goals,

including capital, endowment, and planned giving goals;• Significantly increase annual giving participation and dollars; • Formulate leadership gift solicitation strategies emphasizing endowment and capital project

priorities;• Ensure prompt and accurate gift and pledge recording, acknowledgements, and compliance with

school policy and philanthropic best practices; • Serve as an effective mentor and communicator to constituents with different personalities and

cultures; • Be an articulate and visible spokesperson of Stevenson’s mission and programs; • Enhance the school environment by serving as an active community member; • Be a natural team builder; • Demonstrate a strong external and strategic focus.

deSired exPerience And QuAliTieS of The direcTor of AdvAncemenT

• B.A. degree (advanced degree preferred); • 7-10 years of leadership fundraising experience, including campaign planning and management,

ideally in an independent school, college, or university; • Track record of cohesively integrating the full range of development programs;• Demonstrated evidence of ability to raise six- and seven-figure gifts; • Experience in creating departmental budgets and in supervising development and constituent

relations administration; • Confidence, patience, and a sense of humor that complements Stevenson’s culture and mission; • Possess authenticity and humility;• Be an effective storyteller who can articulate the case for support of Stevenson;• Possess excellent analytic skills;• Believe in the value of strong collaboration and teamwork;• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written; • Mastery of a relational database such as Raiser’s Edge, Word, and Excel;• Past boarding school experience a plus.

To APPly

Interested candidates should submit the following materials confidentially to John Clark and Gary Dicovitsky (electronically in one email and as separate documents, preferably as PDFs):

• Current résumé with Education, Experience, and Related Professional Experience;• Cover letter expressing interest in and suitability for the position;• List of references with name, phone number, and email address for each—references will be

contacted only with the candidate’s permission.

Send to:

Senior SeArch conSulTAnTS

John [email protected]

Gary [email protected]


stevenson school - carney sandoe & associates · stevenson school in 1952. named for the...

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