Position Description
Wooster School seeks a Director of Development, to start July 1, 2023. This newly designed position will report to the Chief Development Officer (CDO). The Director of Development will focus on building the donor community by identifying, engaging and retaining donors at all levels of giving. The Director will also assist in the development and execution of any capital campaign.
The ideal candidate will be innovative and forward-thinking -- just like Wooster School. A creative problem-solver and deep thinker, the Director of Development will also be highly organized and focused on research, planning, and implementation. A passion for education, affinity for young people, and desire to be an active member of a thriving school community are requisite for any viable candidate. Finally, the successful candidate will be an eager and resourceful teammate who is confident, humble, and blessed with a ready sense of humor.
Responsibilities
- Generate creative solutions to enhance, strengthen and maintain the school’s close relationship with individual donors;
- Participate in the development and execution of a development program that meets the needs of a growing school;
- Plan, implement and manage fundraising programs and special events to secure individual, foundation, and corporate philanthropic support for capital, endowment, and planned giving campaigns;
- Along with the CDO, develop and manage long-term major gift and planned giving initiatives to build and maintain relationships with prospective donors; includes identification, cultivation, and face-to-face solicitation of donors;
- Work with the CDO to prepare reports for the Board of Trustees;
- Support Trustees in the articulation of annual fund gifts, major gifts and planned giving fundraising needs;
- Facilitate interaction of Trustees, Head of School, and CDO with major and planned giving prospects, top annual fund contributors, Parents’ Association leadership and other key volunteers;
- Stay current with industry trends, innovations, and best practices.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree;
- 3-5+ years of experience as a major gifts officer and/or manager/leader in development in an independent school or not-for-profit;
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to comfortably, warmly and effectively engage individuals and large groups in social settings;
- Demonstrated track record as a contributing member of a high functioning leadership team;
- Positive energy, curiosity, creativity and a ready sense of humor;
- Ability to maintain absolute confidentiality and the integrity of the advancement process, and exercise good judgement and tact in all situations;
- Commitment to being part of a diverse, equitable and inclusive school community;
- Familiarity/Proficiency using Raiser’s Edge modules to track event budgets, generate reports, and benchmark results;
- Preferred familiarity with event management software such as GiveSmart, EventBrite, or the like.
Salary & Benefits
This is a full-time, 12 month, exempt position. Salaries are competitive with local independent schools. A competitive benefits package includes retirement, health insurance, tuition remission, short and long-term disability, and life insurance. All employees are subject to a criminal background check before any contractual offer is final.
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references:
Shannon Prohaszka, Chief Development Officer
shannon.prohaszka@woosterschool.org
