What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Director of Philanthropy & Advancement Communications position at Chatham Hall?
Chatham Hall is more than a school—it’s a way of life. Here, girls live boldly, learn deeply, and grow into the leaders the world needs. As a 24/7 immersive living-and-learning community built exclusively for girls, we blend rigorous academics, vibrant campus life, and transformative leadership development into one extraordinary journey.
We also offer a warm, collegial atmosphere for teaching professionals, administrators, and staff. Rooted in rich traditions and dedicated to building a positive school culture, our community thrives on connection and collaboration. With 95% of our students living on campus, most faculty members also reside here, supporting our 24-hour community and enjoying the benefits of living where they work. For many, Chatham Hall is not just a school or a job—it is also a home.
Chatham Hall seeks energetic faculty and staff who are passionate about working with students and helping them to grow as learners. We work in a dynamic setting with colleagues who strive to provide the best student experience possible. Our students join us from all over the world, and we seek a faculty and staff community ready to welcome and support them in every facet of their journey.
We are especially interested in candidates who will contribute to and are committed to diversity and multicultural educational practices. Successful candidates will demonstrate a dedication to working in a diverse community, the ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations, and a willingness to create an inclusive work environment. We also expect faculty and staff to engage in professional development opportunities that further strengthen inclusive teaching and management practices.
Join Our Team!
Associate Director of Philanthropy & Advancement Communications
Chatham Hall seeks talented faculty and staff who put students at the center of their practice. We seek to attract faculty and staff who thrive on being fully engaged in our boarding school community and are committed to each girl’s intellectual, social, and emotional well-being. The most successful candidates see opportunities before problems, relish innovation and iteration, listen to learn, and thrive in a collaborative boarding school community. Chatham Hall lives our mission: Equipping curious thinkers to lead bold lives of impact. Our Episcopal faith tradition means we are fully committed to fostering a diverse faculty and student body.
Position Summary
The Associate Director of Philanthropy & Advancement Communications is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding leadership and major gift donors in support of Chatham Hall’s strategic priorities and philanthropic initiatives. Reporting to the Director of Advancement, this position manages a portfolio of leadership and major gift prospects while advancing a culture of philanthropy through strategic communications, meaningful constituent engagement, and exceptional donor stewardship.
The Associate Director works closely with the Director of Advancement to advance the School’s fundraising, engagement, and communications priorities. The Associate Director leads the development and execution of donor stewardship, fundraising and campaign communications, alumnae engagement, and editorial leadership for constituent publications, while serving as a thought partner in shaping Chatham Hall’s philanthropic narrative. In partnership with the Marketing & Communications Office, the Associate Director ensures these communications reflect the School’s brand and strengthen relationships with donors, alumnae, parents, grandparents, and friends through compelling storytelling that advances Chatham Hall’s mission and legacy.
Essential Responsibilities
Philanthropic Leadership
Essential Responsibilities
Philanthropic Leadership
- Manage a portfolio of approximately 100–150 leadership and major gift prospects.
- Develop and implement individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for individual donors, foundations, and corporations.
- Conduct personal visits with alumnae, parents, grandparents, foundations, corporations, and friends of the School.
- Prepare gift proposals, solicitation strategies, and stewardship plans that advance the School’s philanthropic priorities.
- Partner with the Director of Advancement, School Leadership, trustees, volunteers, and the Advancement Team to develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies.
- Maintain accurate constituent records, contact reports, and fundraising strategies in Raiser’s Edge NXT.
- Meet annual fundraising, visitation, and engagement goals while contributing to campaign and annual fundraising objectives.
Advancement Communications & Stewardship
- Lead the development and execution of donor-centered communications that strengthen lifelong relationships with alumnae, parents, grandparents, donors, and friends of the School and create compelling stewardship, fundraising, reunion, campaign, and alumnae engagement communications that demonstrate the impact of philanthropy and inspire continued investment in Chatham Hall.
- Write gift proposals, donor correspondence, stewardship reports, acknowledgment language, impact stories, campaign materials, leadership communications, and other constituent communications.
- Partner with the Advancement Team to ensure consistent messaging across annual giving, reunion giving, donor stewardship, volunteer engagement, campaigns, and other Advancement initiatives.
Editorial Leadership
- Provide editorial leadership for Advancement’s content strategy for CHAT magazine and other Advancement publications, ensuring donor, alumnae, campaign, stewardship, and philanthropic stories align with the School’s strategic priorities.
- Research, interview, write, and edit compelling stories highlighting alumnae, donors, students, faculty, and the transformational impact of philanthropy.
- Partner with the Marketing & Communications Office on the design, production, photography, visual presentation, and publication of Chat magazine, the Annual Fund brochure, and campaign materials, ensuring editorial excellence, brand consistency, and timely delivery.
- Develop and manage an editorial calendar supporting fundraising, stewardship, campaigns, alumnae engagement, constituent communications, and Advancement publications.
Collaboration
- Support comprehensive campaign planning and execution in partnership with the Director of Advancement, trustees, volunteers, and the Advancement Team.
- Represent Advancement through donor travel, cultivation and stewardship activities, reunions, Advancement events, volunteer engagement, and other institutional programs as appropriate.
- Collaborate across Advancement and with colleagues throughout the School to identify and communicate stories that illustrate Chatham Hall’s mission, values, and impact.
- Foster a collaborative partnership with the Marketing & Communications Office that leverages each department’s expertise to strengthen institutional messaging, constituent engagement, and philanthropic storytelling.
- Stay current on best practices in philanthropy, donor stewardship, advancement communications, and independent school fundraising.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
- Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, advancement, or related nonprofit leadership; experience in an independent school, college, or university preferred.
- Demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding leadership and major gifts.
- Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills with demonstrated ability to develop compelling donor-centered communications across print and digital platforms.
- Outstanding relationship-building, organizational, and project management skills.
- Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative and high-performing Advancement Team.
- Ability to travel extensively and work occasional evenings and weekends.
- Proficiency with Raiser’s Edge NXT, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive, Calendar, and related applications).
Preferred Characteristics
The successful candidate will:
- Be an exceptional relationship builder who inspires confidence and trust.
- Demonstrate outstanding writing and storytelling abilities.
- Balance strategic thinking with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.
- Thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment with multiple priorities.
- Demonstrate creativity, intellectual curiosity, and sound judgment.
- Appreciate the transformational power of philanthropy and the unique value of girls’ education.
- Serve as an enthusiastic ambassador for Chatham Hall and its mission.
Work Environment
Chatham Hall is a boarding school for girls, grades 9-12. Smaller by design, our legacy as an Episcopal all-girls school means we are guided by our mission and values. Our approach to personalized learning gives girls many opportunities to pose questions and seek solutions. Committed to each girl’s academic and social well-being, faculty and staff commit to being fully involved in the life of the school: attending events, eating in the dining room, coming to know students both in the classroom and beyond. Located in the heart of rural Virginia on 365 acres, the work environment is family-friendly. Our curricular philosophy emphasizes interdisciplinary and experiential learning and encourages girls to apply what they learn. Collaboration and reflective practice are key aspects of Chatham Hall pedagogy. The school is fully committed to attracting and retaining a culturally diverse faculty and student body. This position is based in person in an office environment within a residential boarding school campus. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required during orientation, graduation, or other school events.
Compensation & Benefits
Chatham Hall is a boarding school for girls, grades 9-12. Smaller by design, our legacy as an Episcopal all-girls school means we are guided by our mission and values. Our approach to personalized learning gives girls many opportunities to pose questions and seek solutions. Committed to each girl’s academic and social well-being, faculty and staff commit to being fully involved in the life of the school: attending events, eating in the dining room, coming to know students both in the classroom and beyond. Located in the heart of rural Virginia on 365 acres, the work environment is family-friendly. Our curricular philosophy emphasizes interdisciplinary and experiential learning and encourages girls to apply what they learn. Collaboration and reflective practice are key aspects of Chatham Hall pedagogy. The school is fully committed to attracting and retaining a culturally diverse faculty and student body. This position is based in person in an office environment within a residential boarding school campus. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required during orientation, graduation, or other school events.
Compensation & Benefits
The salary range is between $70,000 and $90,000.
The School offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Life and disability insurance
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
- Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
- Professional development opportunities
- Tuition remission (where applicable)
Apply
Interested candidates should email a résumé, a cover letter highlighting their interest in and qualifications for the position, leadership philosophy, and a list of five (5) professional references with contact information as a single PDF attachment to Shannon Reynolds at sreynolds@chathamhall.org.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The School is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
To learn more about us, please visit www.chathamhall.org.
Interested candidates should email a résumé, a cover letter highlighting their interest in and qualifications for the position, leadership philosophy, and a list of five (5) professional references with contact information as a single PDF attachment to Shannon Reynolds at sreynolds@chathamhall.org.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The School is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
To learn more about us, please visit www.chathamhall.org.
For Applicants
Benefits
Chatham Hall offers a competitive benefits package for full-time faculty and staff, including:
Chatham Hall offers a competitive benefits package for full-time faculty and staff, including:
- 403(b) Retirement Plan
- Medical & Dental insurance
- Vacation, Sick, & Personal time
- Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Life and AD&D Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account
- Supplemental Insurance Policies
- Professional Development Opportunities
- Tuition Remission (for eligible children of employees to attend Chatham Hall)
- Housing Benefit (applicable to certain positions)
- Free Meals from the Dining Hall (while School is in session)
Application Process
If selected, those applying for faculty positions can expect to receive an email from the contact expressing interest in continuing the process. Candidates will have an initial Zoom interview with an individual on the hiring team, followed by a robust set of interviews on campus with faculty, administrators, and students. Additional interviews and visits may be scheduled as needed. Teaching candidates may be asked to teach a class.
Those applying for staff positions can expect to participate in a phone interview followed by an in-person interview if selected as a finalist for the position.
If selected, those applying for faculty positions can expect to receive an email from the contact expressing interest in continuing the process. Candidates will have an initial Zoom interview with an individual on the hiring team, followed by a robust set of interviews on campus with faculty, administrators, and students. Additional interviews and visits may be scheduled as needed. Teaching candidates may be asked to teach a class.
Those applying for staff positions can expect to participate in a phone interview followed by an in-person interview if selected as a finalist for the position.
Living in the Region
The Town of Chatham is quaint, warm, and small, boasting 1,300 residents and the friendliness of its citizens. Chatham Hall faculty and students alike enjoy walking to Main St. for a coffee, meal, or shopping excursion. Uniquely positioned, Chatham enjoys close proximity to Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Roanoke, the Raleigh/Durham Research Triangle, and Greensboro. Check out our Visit, Stay, & Explore page to learn more about the area.
Many faculty members are able to live on campus or locally in housing provided by the School. For those looking to put down roots, the affordable housing market in the area offers opportunities to buy. Come enjoy beautiful southwest Virginia!
The Town of Chatham is quaint, warm, and small, boasting 1,300 residents and the friendliness of its citizens. Chatham Hall faculty and students alike enjoy walking to Main St. for a coffee, meal, or shopping excursion. Uniquely positioned, Chatham enjoys close proximity to Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Roanoke, the Raleigh/Durham Research Triangle, and Greensboro. Check out our Visit, Stay, & Explore page to learn more about the area.
Many faculty members are able to live on campus or locally in housing provided by the School. For those looking to put down roots, the affordable housing market in the area offers opportunities to buy. Come enjoy beautiful southwest Virginia!
Salary : $70,000 - $90,000