Assoc. Director of Development Communications

DEPARTMENT: Advancement / Marketing & Communications

REPORTS TO: Senior Director of Operations / Director of Marketing & Communications

SALARY RANGE: Salary Commensurate with Experience

POSITION / FTE: 1.00 (Full Time Exempt)

The Taft School is a private, coeducational grade 9-12 day and boarding school located in Watertown, CT.  The sprawling campus is comprised of authentic architecture, state of the art classrooms and impressive athletics facilities. Internationally recognized as a top middle-sized boarding school, Taft is set on a beautiful 220-acre campus. The admissions process, although highly selective, spans diversity within the nation and furthermore, internationally. The school has approximately 250 employees and nearly 10,000 alumni. The Annual and Parent’s Fundraising efforts set it highest among peer schools.

To learn more about The Taft School visit: www.taftschool.org.

Job Purpose:

This Associate Director of Development Communications plays a central role in advancing the school’s philanthropic priorities through strategic, compelling, and donor-centered communications. This position partners closely with colleagues in Advancement and Communications to develop and execute messaging that inspires engagement and philanthropic support from alumni, parents, and friends.

This role is responsible for developing and managing communications that support the department, including but not limited to: campaign materials, donor relations, direct mail, and constituent engagement. The Associate Director of Development Communications ensures consistency of voice, messaging, and brand across all advancement materials while translating institutional priorities into clear, compelling narratives that resonate with constituents.

The ideal candidate is an exceptional writer and strategic communicator who thrives in a collaborative environment and understands the role of storytelling in philanthropy. They bring a strong design sensibility, maintain brand standards with consistency, and collaborate effectively with graphic designers. They are also proficient in creating materials in Canva, working within templates and developing new designs aligned with brand guidelines.

Position Requirements:

The duties and responsibilities of the Associate Director of Development Communications include, but are not limited to:

Advancement Communications Strategy

• In partnership with the Director of Marketing & Communications and the Senior Director of Operations, develop and implement a comprehensive advancement communications strategy aligned with the school’s fundraising priorities and institutional goals.

• Ensure consistent voice, tone, and brand alignment across all advancement communications and in keeping with the school’s overall brand guidelines.
  
  

Campaign Communications

• Support the planning and execution of communications related to the school’s current comprehensive fundraising campaign.

• Partner with outside vendors and internal teams to create campaign materials including case statements, proposals, impact reports, campaign updates, and leadership messaging.

• Develop customized donor communications that support qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

Writing and Content Development

• Write, design, and edit a wide range of communications including:

  • gift proposals

  • direct mail appeals

  • Content for donor relations correspondence 

  • Support communications for key advancement events including campaign gatherings, donor recognition events, alumni programs, and regional events.

• Partner with colleagues to identify and develop compelling stories that demonstrate the impact of philanthropy on students, faculty, and programs.
  
  

Collaboration and Project Management

• Serve as a liaison between the Advancement Office and Communications/Marketing team to ensure integrated messaging and coordinated communications.

• Serve as a communications resource to all teams and colleagues within the department. 

• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high standards of quality and meeting deadlines.

• Develop and maintain an editorial calendar for development communications.

• Coordinate with designers, photographers, videographers, and external vendors when needed.

Minimum Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field.

• 3–5 years of professional experience in communications, marketing, or advancement communications.

• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills with the ability to adapt tone for multiple audiences.

• Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects in a deadline-driven environment.

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate across departments.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in advancement, fundraising communications, or donor relations.

• Experience supporting a capital campaign or comprehensive fundraising campaign.

• Experience in an independent school, college/university, or nonprofit organization.

• Experience with design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite and Canva.

• Familiarity with Raiser’s Edge

Key Competencies

• Strategic communication and messaging

• Exceptional writing and editing

• Solid foundation in visual design principles

• Project management and organization

• Collaboration and relationship building

• Attention to detail and brand stewardship

• Ability to translate complex institutional priorities into compelling donor narratives
  
  

The Taft School is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer in accordance with regulations adopted by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. It is the policy of The Taft School to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to age, gender, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, actual or perceived disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran's status, genetic predisposition or any other class protected by law.