Jobs

Walnut Hill School for the Arts seeks a Director of Annual and Leadership Giving to serve as one of three Development leaders. Working closely with a dynamic advancement team and Head of School, the Director of Leadership and Annual Giving will provide leadership for alumni/ae engagement, annual giving, and leadership donors.

As a leading member of a small but highly successful development team, the Director is a proactive and supportive team player with excellent communication skills and enjoys working in a dynamic, mission-focused organization. The ideal candidate has meticulous organizational skills, the ability to think creatively and critically and is highly collaborative. Occasional evening and weekend events are required as well as significant travel.

This is a 12-month, exempt position reporting to the Chief Development Officer (CDO).

Responsibilities:

Fundraising Strategy, Oversight, & Activity

• Serve as a thought-partner to the Chief Development Officer to grow the fundraising base by increasing the donor pool and increasing gifts year over year at both the leadership and annual level through collaboration with the advancement team;
• Manage a portfolio of leadership level donors (donors who give at least $1,000+ annually) and ensure that key prospective and current donors are actively engaged with face-to-face meetings, phone calls, special events, to reach personal goals for revenue, meetings, qualification, and other key performance metrics on an annual basis;
• Develop, manage, and direct fundraising to enhance the Annual Fund Giving program, including but not limited to direct mail appeals, giving days, and digital fundraising and faculty and staff giving;
• Monitor Annual Fund progress, trends, and provide strategic recommendations to CDO to grow and strengthen the fund, using innovative approaches and leveraging industry trends and best practices when possible;
• Work with CDO and Director of Development Operations to define long-term engagement and fundraising goals and define annual metrics from multiple constituency categories in the context of the School’s annual fund, major and planned giving programs;
• Oversee the development of a new program to engage with Girls School alumnae including all fundraising and volunteer activities;
• Manage up to the Chief Development Officer, providing detailed understanding of activity and oversight, while building trust and independence; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Collaboration & Community Involvement 

• Actively participate in the student community by supporting the Student Life program, which may include serving as a faculty or club advisor, chaperoning School events, providing weekend duty (4x per year), or other opportunities for community involvement that arise throughout the School year;
• Speak authentically about the imperative for diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools; be committed to learning about and practicing anti-racist work;
• Attend student performances, art openings, and art events throughout the year; support and engage richly in arts productions, shows, exhibitions, and performances;
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across all departments to foster a positive working and educational environment for students and employees to support the school’s mission, vision, and core values; and
• Attend and participate in required faculty and staff meetings and department meetings; pursue PD opportunities in and out of school; display willingness and ability to grow, learn, explore new approaches, and practice self-reflection.

Skills & Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree with at least five years’ experience in leadership/major gifts, campaign, or annual fund fundraising, preferably in education or the arts;
• Strong background in Annual Giving, including leadership programs, alumni/ae reunion and non-reunion programs, and constituent relations programs;
• Experience supervising and mentoring direct reports;
• Well-developed commitment to collaborative leadership and the ability to manage and grow a team’s skills, vision and cohesion;
• Demonstrated proficiency with Google applications, Microsoft Office Suite, Veracross or equivalent database;
• Possess excellent customer service skills and ability to work with a wide range of people – alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, donors, board members, outside artists, vendors, and community members;
• Ability to work independently and effectively in a changing, fast-paced environment;
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive community;
• Possess cultural competence in working with diverse populations and commitment to learning about and practicing anti-racist work;
• Ability to handle highly sensitive information with discretion;
• Possess excellent and effective written and oral communication skills, strong attention to detail, and strong analytical skills; and
• Share an educational and artistic vision that aligns with the core principles of Walnut Hill.

About us:

Walnut Hill School for the Arts, located in Natick, Massachusetts and 20 minutes from Boston, is an independent boarding and day high school offering a transformational educational experience designed for student artists in grades 9–post graduate. Walnut Hill combines a comprehensive college-preparatory academic curriculum with intensive, pre-professional artistic training in theatre, dance, music, visual art, and writing, film & media arts. Walnut Hill is committed to creating and enhancing an inclusive environment, and welcoming and celebrating a wide range of cultural, artistic, and educational backgrounds that compliments and supports our diverse community.

Commitment to the School’s Core Values, of Community, Growth, Excellence, Creativity, and Respect are imperative to the success of all Walnut Hill faculty, staff, and administration members. All Walnut Hill faculty/staff are active and engaged members of the school community who are committed to collaborating and growing in their field, participating in school events, supporting students in their arts, supporting other faculty/staff members, and who have the ability to self-reflect on their own practice.

Physical Demands

Physical demands include dexterity for science tools and equipment and office machine and supply operation including but not limited to writing, using electronic devices, computer, phone, calculator, copy/fax machine, and printers. Stooping, bending, traveling to/from locations on campus, ascending/descending stairs, reaching and sitting or standing for extended periods of time are common.

To Apply: Submit resume and cover letter through the Walnut Hill School for the Arts online Career Center.

Note: All offers of employment are contingent upon enrollment and the successful completion of state and federal background checks. Walnut Hill does not provide visa sponsorship.