Director of Development

Darrow School is seeking a Director of Development. This highly organized individual will oversee the day-to-day operations of a busy and innovative development office, balancing multiple competing deadlines. This person will be responsible for the development and
execution of the Annual Fund, including analyzing strategies for increasing annual fund support and participation to maximize gift revenues from alumni, parents, friends, foundations, corporations, and other constituents.

The Director of Development reports directly to the Head of School, serves as a member of the Senior Administrative Team, and is primarily responsible for overseeing the cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and strategy for attracting donor support to the institution,
including but not limited to Legacy Society Planned Giving; Darrow School Annual Fund; public and private corporation and foundation grants; and assisting with the planning for and execution of major gifts, both associated with and independent of stand-alone capital
campaigns.

The Director of Development is also primarily responsible for overseeing on-campus events, including but not limited to the use of the facilities for camps; conferences; weddings and reunions; concerts, and others as mutually agreed to by the Head of School and The
Director of Development.

The Director of Development is expected to be on campus and available for flagship events such as convocation, family weekends/teacher conferences, performances, symposiums, baccalaureate, and commencement. Attendance at opening faculty meetings, student registration/orientation, and year-end faculty meetings is also required.

This high-profile position requires a creative, talented, and experienced development professional who is both entrepreneurial and collaborative.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Annual Giving
- Responsible for planning and implementing a comprehensive and innovative annual giving program In coordination with the Head of School and the Board of Trustees, solicit and secure gifts to the School from individuals at
leadership levels
- Motivate non-leadership donors to consider increasing their gifts
- Support the reunion giving program
- Responsible for the oversight of gift processing, tax receipts, and the maintenance of both electronic and hard-copy donor records
- Oversee the communication strategy for the Annual Fund program and work collaboratively with the Development Department to implement the overall strategy for the department
- Compile donor data and giving statistics in the annual report
- Work closely with the Development Department on special events in support of fundraising efforts, Parents' Weekends, off-site receptions, campaign events, and special recognition events
- Participate in setting Annual Fund goals based on historical data and budgetary needs
- Assist with mailings and tracking alumni, and posting information
-Assist with ordering and preparing cultivation materials for our donors
- Write appeal letters and acknowledgments

External Events Coordination
- Be the first point of contact representing Darrow School to prospective renters and clients for outside use of facilities
- Oversee the coordination and planning of special events, including consulting with Senior Administrators to establish goals, services required, and fee schedules
- Oversee the arranging of space, exhibits, guest accommodations, tours, banquets, receptions, and other applicable activities
- Provide on-site coordination, including problem-solving, decision-making, and interaction with local vendors
- Monitor and prepare reports on expenditures to ensure cost-effective special events
- Prepare and provide post-activity evaluation data as appropriate to the objectives of the position; prepare schedules and special reports as required

Darrow School Event Management
- Oversee the planning and execution of two family weekends per year, including coordinating weekend event schedules, mailed and electronic invitations, and onsite weekend supervision
- Work in conjunction with the Admissions Office and the Dean's Office to ensure a successful opening of school
- Work in conjunction with the Dean's Office and the Head's Office to plan a successful Commencement Weekend
- For all events that fall under the umbrella of development, coordinate with facilities and food service to ensure all setup and catering expectations are met

Alumni Relations
- Manage the Alumni Relations Facebook personality, including communicating with alumni through and replying to messages within the messenger applications
- Oversee the Darrow Alumni and Former Faculty and any other Darrow in the XX decade groups; Crosscheck requests to join groups and moderate comments as needed
- Serve as the key cheerleader and planner for Darrow School's Reunion efforts, including:
- Event planning - schedule, activities, securing vendors, coordinating with food service and facilities
- Working with class agents and other key alumni to spread the word
- Managing the creation of promotional material (save the dates, invitations, and social media events)
- Work with the Director of Marketing and Communications and Peg Board editor to highlight alumni in articles and serve on the team that creates the outline for Peg Board articles
- Drafts, edits, and submits alumni notes and In Memorium, cross-checking pulls from the database with emails from travel and alumni
- Manages the timeline of Peg Board work
- Plays a key role in the proofing and editing phase
- Serve as the point of contact when alumni call or visit the School
- Work to engage younger alumni with events such as Maple Fest (see Annual Fund)
- Plan and attend the 50 Nights Dinner, an introduction to becoming a Darrow Alum

Operations
- Directly supervise the Development Department staff
- Manage the operations of the development office effectively, including scheduling, overseeing agendas for, and running staff meetings, and coordinating and managing the work calendar for the coming six-month to twelve-month intervals
- Oversee and administer the annual departmental budget
- Elicit the best possible effort from each member of the development team
- Report to and serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Trustees Development Committee
- Work with the Business Office to ensure monthly reconciliation of fundraising records and appropriate reporting and stewardship of gifts; oversee the preparation of, analysis, and reporting of Development efforts for the Head of School and the

- Other tasks as assigned and necessary

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor's degree or relevant work experience required
- Development/fundraising experience in educational and/or non-profit organizations, including personal solicitations, a plus
- Familiarity with Blackbaud/Raiser's Edge or other similar donor databases
- Willingness to work nights and weekends as necessary and travel locally to visit/recruit/solicit prospective donors and volunteers; must have a valid driver's license.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends and on-and-off campus, as well as some local travel
- Experience in all facets of a comprehensive development program, ideally involving annual and major gift initiatives; donor research and stewardship; special events; and alumni and parent relations
- Excellent speaking and writing skills
-Demonstrated curiosity for, and understanding of, the current trends and challenges confronting development offices and fundraising efforts in independent schools

-Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times
- Ability to manage people and systems
- Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills