Jobs

Walnut Hill School for the Arts seeks a Director of Parent Giving & Engagement to join the School as a key member of the Development team.

This inaugural position aims to build a robust and inclusive culture of engagement and philanthropy within the School’s current parent/guardian body. The ideal candidate is thoughtful and strategic in their efforts and highly collaborative in their working style. This individual will partner internally and externally to align donor interests with annual fund gifts, special projects, and other opportunities.

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Director of Parent Giving & Engagement will work closely with two team members, the Database Manager and the Development Associate, to ensure timely and accurate execution of gift entry, donor acknowledgments, stewardship, research, data management and analysis. As 80% of Walnut Hill students are boarding, this position necessitates local and regional travel to engage parents/guardians, as well as evening and weekend work.

All Walnut Hill faculty and staff are active and engaged members of the school community who are committed to collaborating and growing in their field, participating in school events and supporting students in their arts, supporting other staff members, and who have the ability to self-reflect on their own practice.

Responsibilities:

• Direct all aspects of parent and family giving program, including formulating and implementing strategies for short- and long-term fundraising outcomes, devising performance metrics, and closely coordinating parent/guardian engagement in conjunction with other departments in the School;
• Partner with the Chief Development Officer to develop and execute strategies for engaging prospects with the capacity to become leadership Annual Fund donors to Walnut Hill;
• Carry a portfolio of prospects, primarily of current parents/guardians, and qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts through in-person visits and other highly personal communications;
• Organize, oversee, and develop special campaigns that drive participation in the annual fund including, but not limited to, Family Weekend, Telethon, and Give Day;
• Conceive print and online appeals; collaborate with marketing and communications department and external vendors to produce high quality, effective collateral to support annual appeal strategy; analyze and report on effectiveness of print material;
• Serve as the staff liaison to the Walnut Hill Family Association;
• Direct interest of current students to cultivate involvement in philanthropy;
• Curate events to educate the Walnut Hill community about philanthropy and to qualify donors;
• Provide support to development operations and systems by working closely with the Database Manager and Stewardship & Research Coordinator to ensure accurate gift entry, timely acknowledgments, ongoing donor research, monthly reconciliations with the Business Office, support for the annual audit, and other financial reports;
• Participate in and support development colleagues in meeting broader department goals and priorities; and
• Additional projects and duties as assigned by School Administration.

Community Involvement & Engagement

• 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, 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;
• Support and engage richly in arts productions, shows, exhibitions, and performances and School wide events and programs such as Family Weekend, Open House, Class Night, Boar’s Head, Candlelight, Awards Ceremony, and Graduation;
• 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;
• Pursue Professional Development opportunities both in and out of school; display willingness and ability to grow, learn, explore new approaches, and practice self-reflection; and
• Strong work ethic and demonstrated passion for independent education, the arts, and the mission of Walnut Hill School for the Arts.

Skills & Qualifications

• BA degree and advanced degree in related field preferred;
• Three or more years of progressively responsible experience in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial development office, experience in independent schools, colleges, and/or arts organizations a plus;
• Experience with identification, cultivation and solicitation of annual gifts;
• Ability to develop and cultivate strong relationships with a diverse range of individuals;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the full spectrum of development practices, principles and activities, including gift policies, solicitations, stewardship, donor recognition, working with volunteers, and the ability to apply this knowledge creatively to fundraising projects;
• Track record of meeting goals and objectives through effective program/project planning, organization, evaluation and execution;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with faculty, administrators, Trustees and high-level volunteers, students, donors and prospects;
• Outstanding written and verbal communications skills and polished presentation skills;
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a collaborative team;
• Commitment to and strong understanding of cultural competency;
• Strong computer skills and demonstrated proficiency with Google applications, Microsoft Office Suite; experience with or knowledge of Veracross or other donor software; and
• Strong work ethic and demonstrated passion for independent education, the arts, and the mission of Walnut Hill School for the Arts.

Personal and Professional Characteristics:

• Donor-focused;
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks;
• Good judgment and ability to work independently with limited supervision;
• Collaborative and a team player;
• Integrity, authenticity and credibility;
• Creative and mission-driven, with an appreciation for and/or experience working in the arts;
• Must be willing and able to travel off campus to visit with donors, largely in the New England area but also occasionally over-night out of state.

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.