What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Director of Development position at The Walker School?
Assistant Director of Development
The Walker School, Marietta, Georgia
The Walker School is seeking a dynamic, relationship-driven fundraising professional to serve as its next Assistant Director of Development. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic and mission-aligned leader to help shape a culture of philanthropy within a vibrant independent school community.
If you are energized by building meaningful relationships, advancing mission-driven work, and making a lasting impact through philanthropy, this role offers the opportunity to do just that.
About the Opportunity
As a key partner to the Assistant Head of School for Advancement, the Assistant Director of Development will play a central role in designing and executing a comprehensive development strategy. This position will help grow philanthropic support while strengthening engagement across parents, alumni, and friends of the school. This is a highly visible role for a professional who thrives at the intersection of strategy and relationship-building and who is passionate about independent school education and nonprofit impact.
What You Will Do
Advance Fundraising Strategy
- Lead and support integrated annual giving strategies to increase participation and dollars raised
- Manage and grow a portfolio of leadership annual fund and major gift prospects
- Conduct personalized outreach and face-to-face donor engagement
- Help expand leadership giving and donor retention
Drive Donor Engagement and Stewardship
- Build authentic, lasting relationships with parents, alumni, grandparents, and friends
- Design and execute meaningful stewardship strategies that demonstrate impact
- Identify and cultivate new major gift prospects
- Partner on moves management to advance donors through the giving pipeline
Lead Programs and Initiatives
- Oversee implementation of the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program
- Educate donors on tax credit opportunities and manage scholarship coordination
- Support volunteer engagement, including parent and leadership volunteers
Plan Events and Strengthen Community
- Assist in the execution of donor events, cultivation gatherings, and recognition experiences
- Represent the school at key advancement and community events
Support Operations and Data Strategy
- Maintain accurate donor records and track engagement activity
- Monitor fundraising progress and provide reporting insights
- Partner with leadership and the Board on donor strategy, communications, and presentations
What You Bring
- Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of progressive development experience, preferably in an independent school or nonprofit setting
- Proven success in securing major gifts and achieving fundraising goals
- A strategic mindset with a strong, donor-centered approach
- Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills that inspire action
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities
- Comfort with data, donor systems, and digital tools
- A collaborative spirit and a deep appreciation for mission-driven work
Why Walker
At Walker, relationships are at the heart of everything we do. Our mission to inspire transformative learning is made possible through a community that believes in meaningful connections, academic excellence, and opportunity. This role offers the chance to make a direct impact on students and families through philanthropic support, work alongside a collaborative and forward-thinking leadership team, and help shape the future of a thriving independent school community.
Ready to Make an Impact
If you are a development professional who thrives in a relationship-centered environment and is passionate about advancing education through philanthropy, we invite you to apply. To view the complete job description, please click this link.