What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Development position at The Waverly School?
The Waverly School, a preschool - 12th grade, independent school in Pasadena, California, seeks a strategic and visionary Director of Development. This is an exceptional opportunity for a proven leader to shape the philanthropic future of a school known for a mission of dedication to progressive education, community, and an active commitment to social justice.
The Director of Development will serve as a key member of the school's leadership team, responsible for planning, executing, and managing all fundraising and activities. This includes, but is not limited to, leading Waverly’s annual fund, major gifts, planned giving, and alumni relations. The successful candidate will help animate the goals of Waverly’s recently approved strategic plan, Flight Plan 2030. The Development Director must help inspire philanthropic support, cultivate deep relationships with current parents, grandparents, alumni, and prospective donors, and ensure the financial vitality that underpins the school's transformative educational experience. This role requires a leader who can educate about the importance of giving and build on a history of strong community engagement and enthusiasm for the school..
The Director of Development is a full-time, exempt position reporting directly to the Head of School and collaborates closely with the Director of Advancement. Advancement Team members include: Director of Development, Director of Communications and Marketing, Assistant Director of Development, who reports to the Director of Development, and the Assistant Director of Admissions, who reports to the Director of Advancement.
This is an extraordinary opportunity for a motivated, mission-aligned fundraiser who thrives in a relational culture, has a talent for strategic execution, and is energized by the power of progressive education.
Key Responsibilities
In collaboration with the Head of School and Director of Advancement, implement the comprehensive, multi-year strategic development plan.
Lead and manage all fundraising initiatives, including annual giving, major gifts, capital campaigns, and planned giving.
Organize, lead, facilitate an annual full community, in-person fundraising event.
Cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with a diverse range of donors.
Build meaningful relationships with current Waverly families through regular individual meetings with families and by in-person attendance at school events, classes, sporting events, arts showcase and other special events.
Build and strengthen relationships with foundations and institutional funders.
Sustain a robust culture of philanthropy across the school community—including parents, alumni, grandparents, faculty/staff, and friends of the school.
Oversee alumni relations and foster lifelong connections with graduates.
Collaborate closely with the Head of School, Board of Trustees, and other administrative leaders to align development efforts with the school's strategic priorities.
Manage and mentor the development team.
Collaborate with the Communications team to develop compelling messaging, donor communications, and promotional materials.
Prepare reports and presentations for the Head of School, Board of Trustees, and Development Committee to track progress and inform planning.
Utilize data to inform and optimize fundraising strategies.
Qualifications
Highly organized and motivated communicative practice
Skilled collaborator and delegator
Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in independent school advancement or a related non-profit leadership role, with a proven track record of successful fundraising.
Demonstrated ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts.
Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
Strategic thinker with strong organizational and project management abilities.
Proficiency in fundraising database software.
A deep appreciation for and commitment to the mission and values of independent school education.
Physical Demands
Work in person, on campus during school hours
Work with frequent interruptions
Maintain emotional control under stress
Must be able to stand, lift, push, pull, stoop and bend for short periods of time
Regularly work on repetitive tasks.
Occasionally lift 15-45 pounds.
Prolonged periods of standing and walking throughout classrooms and between several campus locations
Regularly spend long hours sitting and using office equipment and computers
Regularly move up and down stairs
Other Employment Requirements
Initial and continued employment background investigation required – fingerprints via Live Scan
Initial and continued TB Assessment required for employment in CA schools.
CPR/AED/First Aid certification training every two years.
Annual Mandated Reporter and Harassment Prevention Training and any other required training.
Adhere to school policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee and Faculty Handbooks.
Job type: 12-month, exempt
Typical Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Salary range: 90,000-150,000 annually
The Waverly School is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination based on the race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, transgender, transsexualism, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship, primary language, military or veteran status, physical handicap, disability, medical condition, mental disability, genetic characteristic or information, ancestry, or based on any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.
The Director of Development will serve as a key member of the school's leadership team, responsible for planning, executing, and managing all fundraising and activities. This includes, but is not limited to, leading Waverly’s annual fund, major gifts, planned giving, and alumni relations. The successful candidate will help animate the goals of Waverly’s recently approved strategic plan, Flight Plan 2030. The Development Director must help inspire philanthropic support, cultivate deep relationships with current parents, grandparents, alumni, and prospective donors, and ensure the financial vitality that underpins the school's transformative educational experience. This role requires a leader who can educate about the importance of giving and build on a history of strong community engagement and enthusiasm for the school..
The Director of Development is a full-time, exempt position reporting directly to the Head of School and collaborates closely with the Director of Advancement. Advancement Team members include: Director of Development, Director of Communications and Marketing, Assistant Director of Development, who reports to the Director of Development, and the Assistant Director of Admissions, who reports to the Director of Advancement.
This is an extraordinary opportunity for a motivated, mission-aligned fundraiser who thrives in a relational culture, has a talent for strategic execution, and is energized by the power of progressive education.
Key Responsibilities
In collaboration with the Head of School and Director of Advancement, implement the comprehensive, multi-year strategic development plan.
Lead and manage all fundraising initiatives, including annual giving, major gifts, capital campaigns, and planned giving.
Organize, lead, facilitate an annual full community, in-person fundraising event.
Cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with a diverse range of donors.
Build meaningful relationships with current Waverly families through regular individual meetings with families and by in-person attendance at school events, classes, sporting events, arts showcase and other special events.
Build and strengthen relationships with foundations and institutional funders.
Sustain a robust culture of philanthropy across the school community—including parents, alumni, grandparents, faculty/staff, and friends of the school.
Oversee alumni relations and foster lifelong connections with graduates.
Collaborate closely with the Head of School, Board of Trustees, and other administrative leaders to align development efforts with the school's strategic priorities.
Manage and mentor the development team.
Collaborate with the Communications team to develop compelling messaging, donor communications, and promotional materials.
Prepare reports and presentations for the Head of School, Board of Trustees, and Development Committee to track progress and inform planning.
Utilize data to inform and optimize fundraising strategies.
Qualifications
Highly organized and motivated communicative practice
Skilled collaborator and delegator
Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in independent school advancement or a related non-profit leadership role, with a proven track record of successful fundraising.
Demonstrated ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts.
Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
Strategic thinker with strong organizational and project management abilities.
Proficiency in fundraising database software.
A deep appreciation for and commitment to the mission and values of independent school education.
Physical Demands
Work in person, on campus during school hours
Work with frequent interruptions
Maintain emotional control under stress
Must be able to stand, lift, push, pull, stoop and bend for short periods of time
Regularly work on repetitive tasks.
Occasionally lift 15-45 pounds.
Prolonged periods of standing and walking throughout classrooms and between several campus locations
Regularly spend long hours sitting and using office equipment and computers
Regularly move up and down stairs
Other Employment Requirements
Initial and continued employment background investigation required – fingerprints via Live Scan
Initial and continued TB Assessment required for employment in CA schools.
CPR/AED/First Aid certification training every two years.
Annual Mandated Reporter and Harassment Prevention Training and any other required training.
Adhere to school policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee and Faculty Handbooks.
Job type: 12-month, exempt
Typical Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Salary range: 90,000-150,000 annually
The Waverly School is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination based on the race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, transgender, transsexualism, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship, primary language, military or veteran status, physical handicap, disability, medical condition, mental disability, genetic characteristic or information, ancestry, or based on any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.
Salary : $90,000 - $150,000