shanghai american school chief advancement officer

Shanghai american School

Shanghai, chinachief advancement officer

auguSt 2016www.saschina.org

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

Mission Statement

“Shanghai American School inspires in all stu-dents:• A lifelong passion for learning• A commitment to act with integrity and

compassion• The courage to live their dreams.”

Core Values

We believe that:

• Embracing diversity enriches individuals and communities

• Acts of compassion and generosity of spirit create a better world

• When individuals take responsibility for their own decisions, they are empowered to make positive impact

• Each individual has intrinsic value and the potential to contribute to society

• Collaboration is key to overcoming complex challenges and achieving common goals

• Integrity is the foundation of enduring rela-tionships, quality institutions and well- func-tioning communities

• As global citizens we have a duty to care for the earth and its inhabitants to ensure the well-being of humankind

• Creativity, critical thinking and a lifelong passion for learning are essential to personal fulfillment and to meet the challenges of the future.

the PoSitionAs an integral member of the senior leadership team, the Chief Advancement Officer will oversee all fundraising, constituent relations, and marketing and communications efforts at Shanghai American School. Together with the Head of School and in dialogue with the Board of Trustees, s/he will continue to build brand awareness and pride, identify and target opportunities to convey the SAS mission and extol the School’s accomplishments, and cultivate a culture of philanthropy in the SAS community.

School hiStoryEstablished in 1912 and one of the oldest international schools in the world, Shanghai American School (SAS) continues a long legacy of educational excellence with an extraordinary array of academic programs and extracurricular activities. Already outstanding educational opportunities are constantly enhanced in this self-reflective culture. SAS offers its students a comprehensive educational program from pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 on two state-of- the-art campuses. Educational technology, libraries, laboratories, playing fields, and other learning resources are among the best in the world. Since 1993, growth and enrollment have been dramatic, driven mostly by the rapid increase in Shanghai’s international business community.

Shanghai American School has a long history in China’s largest metropolis. When SAS first opened its doors on September 17, 1912, the school boasted 38 students. By the 1920s, SAS had attracted over 500 students in grades K-12. Students came from expatriate missionary, diplomatic, and business families. Many of them went on to distinguished careers in academia, research, medicine, or diplomatic work. SAS closed in 1950, following the change in government in China.

The school reopened in 1980 on the grounds of the US Consulate General. A growing foreign community and expanding foreign business activity quickly drew increased enrollment, prompting a move in 1989 to the campus of the Shanghai Number 3 Girls’ Middle School. When that campus became too small, SAS


gradually moved to new locations—one in suburban Zhudi, in Puxi (the west side of Shanghai), and the other on the east, or Pudong, side of the Huangpu River. SAS began to serve expatriate children in Pudong from September 1996 onwards at a temporary campus at Hua Xia Cultural Park and later relocated to its permanent home in Shanghai Links Executive Community in 1998. From 1980 until 1992, the school offered classes through grade eight. Beginning with the 1992-93 school year, a middle school was established for grades six through eight, and in 1993-94, a ninth grade was added. Beginning with the 1994-95 school year, grades 10, 11, and 12 were added and SAS began to provide the complete pre-K through 12th grade educational program that thrives today. The school’s growth since then has been tremendous: from approximately 20 students when it reopened in 1980, it has grown to nearly about 2,920 for the 2015-2016 academic year. The first graduation of high school students in 50 years took place in 1995 with a class of six students. The concept of “one school on two campuses” emerged and was promoted beginning in 2005.

The Pudong and the Puxi campuses have evolved into unique academic institutions and both boast fine new facilities specifically built to support a comprehensive and carefully coordinated curriculum. Classrooms; science labs; facilities for drama, art, and music; and gymnasiums and sports fields are all state-of-the-art, and comparable to the best any international school has to offer. The Pudong campus moved into new facilities in 1998 and the Puxi campus completed the move to its new campus at the start of the 2000-2001 academic year. Since then, facilities on both campuses have been continually expanded and improved, and academic programs have kept pace with enrollment in both scope and sophistication. In recent years, SAS has invested heavily in extensive technology resources and enhanced the way they are used to support student learning.

SAS is proud of its unique history and broad community of accomplished alumni who have made a difference in every corner of the world. Graduates hold regular reunions in the United States, and smaller gatherings take place annually in April at the time of the Alumni Lecture series on both SAS campuses. Renewed outreach efforts are underway to engage the burgeoning population of graduates from the post-1980 era.

The school’s centennial festivities in 2012 gave SAS the opportunity to celebrate both a rich past and a promising future. SAS cherishes a long legacy of educational excellence and a reputation for keeping ahead of the changing demands of 21st century education. Providing the technology, creative teaching, and opportunities for real life and service learning continue to be of utmost importance to all of the SAS constituents.


the School SAS is an international school with a comprehensive, American standards-based curriculum. SAS takes pride in its student-teacher relationships and a climate of mutual trust and respect is encouraged within the school community. Individual learning styles are recognized, and teachers use diverse teaching strategies to encourage independent learning. Classes have a maximum of 20 students and a concerted effort is made to balance classes according to background, language, academic ability, nationality, and gender.

Learning begins in the Early Childhood Program, which provides a safe and nurturing learning environment for pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten children. The children come to school with a variety of backgrounds, learning styles, and interests. Teachers devote themselves to the development of each child’s cognitive, physical, emotional, and social growth. Within a stimulating, developmentally appropriate environment, they foster creativity and encourage children to become problem solvers. Children work together and make connections between what takes place in the classroom and in their own lives.

The SAS elementary school offers a complete English language program in a developmentally appropriate, American core curriculum. From pre-Kindergarten through grade five, the typical daily schedule includes language arts, science, math, and social studies. All children also benefit from specialists, whom they see for Chinese language, physical education, library, computers, music, and art, as well as guidance and counseling. The Middle School program combines a rigorous academic curriculum with a wide range of supplementary student activities. Based on the National Middle School Association principles, the Middle School program provides developmentally appropriate challenges in cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and moral development. All students participate in year-long courses in language arts, social studies, science, math, physical education, foreign languages (Spanish, French, or Chinese), and music (choir, orchestra, band, or general music).

The SAS High School provides a rigorous academic program while promoting personal growth for all students. A talented teaching staff, supported by exceptional resources, provides the opportunity for all students to reach their full academic potential. The aim is to create an environment of high achievement without antagonistic competitiveness, where academic rigor and creativity are celebrated side by side. A core college-preparatory curriculum prepares students for further study and offers a broad range of options enhanced with an international perspective, including fine arts (music, art, and theater), foreign languages (Chinese, French and Spanish for beginning through advanced-level language learners), as well as courses in computer science. Students at both campuses have the option of taking the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma program and Advanced Placement courses in 16 subjects. One third of SAS students take the full IB Diploma, one third


focus on AP courses, and one third take a combination of AP and IB certificates. Extensive college preparatory support is provided for all students by a team of experienced guidance counselors.

SAS provides students with opportunities to participate in interscholastic athletics, music, and drama. As a member of the Asian Pacific Activities Conference (APAC) and the Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS), SAS students compete and perform with other schools from around the region. The Model United Nations program enables students to gain a better global view on a variety of issues, while promoting public speaking skills and personal confidence. Participants in these extra-curricular activities travel to events hosted by international schools around Asia. Cultural travel opportunities are also part of the high school curriculum.

camPuSeS

Puxi Campus (West)

The 29-acre campus in Puxi (west side of the city) serves students in pre-Kindergarten through grade 12. The purpose-built facility features separate elementary, middle, and high school buildings, three gymnasiums, music facilities, a cafeteria with separate eating areas for the upper and lower schools, and an operations center that houses offices for technology and support services. Well-equipped playground areas supplement extensive athletic facilities for track and field sports, softball, and baseball. There are eight computer labs, several science labs, a library/media center for middle and high school students and black box theatre. A state-of-the-art performing arts center and an

college enrollment

The following is a partial list of colleges and universities at which SAS graduates have recently enrolled:• Amherst College• Boston College• Boston University• Brown University• Carleton College• Carnegie Mellon University• Columbia University• Cornell University• Dartmouth College• Duke University• Emory University• Georgetown University• Hong Kong University of

Science & Technology• Johns Hopkins University• Korea Advanced Institute of

Science and Technology• McGill University• MIT• Middlebury College• New York University• Northeastern University• Northwestern University• Pomona College• Princeton University• Purdue University• Swarthmore College• University College in London• University of British Columbia• UC Berkeley• UCLA• University of Chicago• University of Edinburgh• University of Michigan• University of Notre Dame• University of Pennsylvania• University of Toronto• University of Virginia• Vassar College• Wellesley College• Williams College• Yale University


aquatic center were opened in 2005. A new Elementary Library and Media Center was completed in January 2007.

Pudong Campus (East)

The 23-acre facility in Pudong (east side of the city) serves grades pre-Kindergarten through grade 12. The purpose-built facility features connected elementary, middle, and high school buildings, modern classrooms, high-tech IT and science laboratories, project areas, and specialized music and art rooms. The cafeteria provides eating facilities for the elementary school while the new food court services the middle and high schools. Well-equipped playground areas supplement extensive sports facilities and playing fields, a double gym for middle and high school students and two physical educational facilities for elementary school students. The campus also boasts a new Library and Media Center for middle and high school students, a black box theatre, an auditorium, and an Aquatics Center.

ShanghaiAt the mouth of the Yangtze River Delta in eastern China, Shanghai is halfway between Beijing and Hong Kong. Shanghai is the largest city in China and one of the most populous cities in the world. Shanghai has experienced unprecedented double-digit growth over the last two decades and has been named one of the fastest developing cities in the world. A global city and major financial center, Shanghai is also one of the primary industrial centers of China. The world’s busiest containership port is Shanghai Port. A cosmopolitan metropolis with a rich history dating back over a thousand years, Shanghai offers distinctive architecture, including some of the tallest buildings in the world, cultural attractions including many of China’s finest museums and more than 30 colleges and universities. More than 150,000 foreigners live in Shanghai, mostly Japanese, Americans and Koreans. Shanghai is well-known for historical landmarks including The Bund, City God Temple, and Yuyuan Garden, as well as the extensive and growing Lujiazui skyline.


the chief advancement officerShanghai American School offers great opportunity to an experienced Chief Advancement Officer (CAO). Responsibilities of the CAO have been refocused to enhance visibility in Shanghai and the broader SAS family and to increase resources supporting educational offerings, technology, and facilities second to none. Integrated marketing, communications, fundraising, and constituency relations are key initial priorities. As a consequence, enhanced internal relations and messaging among marketing/communications, admissions, development, and academic divisions will be fostered. Governing committees, parents, alumni, volunteers, and community leaders will need to be further engaged. Strategic and participatory leadership targeting short- and long-term initiatives will also present opportunities for collaborative achievements. The position will report to the newly appointed Head of School, Marcel Gauthier, who is currently serving as the Deputy Head of School for the Puxi campus.

reSPonSibilitieS of the chief advancement officer

• Communicate SAS’s mission, values, and accomplishments to the broader community.• Work collaboratively with the Head of School and Board of Trustees to enhance a multi-year advancement

plan and implement all related activities and the corresponding budget.• Plan and implement, in cooperation with the Director of Marketing and Communications, a comprehensive

long-range marketing plan including outreach into the community and internal and external communications.• Develop and oversee strategies to increase annual fundraising goals, including annual giving, capital

campaigns, major donor programs, and special projects.• Develop guidelines based on best practices and recommend to the administration and Board of Trustees

relevant policies for the SAS advancement program. • Supervise the leading members of the advancement team.• Annually review, evaluate, and update all advancement office activities.• Perform other duties as assigned.• Serve as a member of the Executive team.


deSired QualificationS and characteriSticS of the chief advancement officer• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree; advanced degree preferred.• Prior experience in an administrative leadership role.• Successful experience in institutional advancement: cultivating, engaging, and expanding donor

relationships within a large and diverse community.• Preferred experience in an international, cross-cultural environment.• A proven track record in development and fundraising and in developing and administering a marketing

and communications plan.• Exceptional interpersonal skills; ability to work collaboratively with trustees, administrators, faculty,

and all other school constituencies.• Excellent oral and written communication skills.• Ability to supervise, motivate, and manage staff to set and achieve specific goals while acting as a

professional mentor.• Skills to effectively use a variety of communication channels, programs, and software.

to aPPly

Interested and qualified candidates should submit electronically in one e-mail and as separate documents the following materials to John Clark and Gary Dicovitsky of Carney, Sandoe & Associates:

• Cover letter addressed to the Search Consultants expressing interest that details reasons for perceived fit; • Current résumé with Education, Experience, and Related Professional Experience including dates;• List of five references with names, phone numbers, and email addresses for each. References will be

contacted only with the candidate’s permission.

John clark | gary dicovitSky Senior Search Consultants

[email protected] | [email protected], Sandoe & aSSociateS

www.carneysandoe.com

shanghai american school chief advancement officer

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