Associate Director of Development
Associate Director of Development
FT/PT: Full Time
Status: Exempt
Reports To: Director of Development
The Position
The Orchard School seeks a collaborative and mission-driven Associate Director of Development to partner closely with the Director of Development in executing a comprehensive fundraising and engagement strategy. This role serves as a key member of the advancement team and plays a critical part in strengthening a culture of philanthropy across the school community. Working in tandem with the Director of Development, the Associate Director will support all aspects of the development program, including annual giving, donor engagement, stewardship, events, and campaign activities. The ideal candidate is an organized, relationship-oriented professional who thrives in a dynamic environment and is eager to contribute to the school’s long-term philanthropic success.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Support the implementation of a multi-year, comprehensive philanthropy strategy aligned with the School’s mission and strategic priorities.
- Partner with the Director of Development, Head of School, and volunteers to execute annual, major, planned, and campaign giving initiatives.
- Assist in coordinating and driving a robust, goal-oriented annual giving campaign, including volunteer management and community outreach.
- Help foster a culture of philanthropy by engaging trustees, faculty, staff, families, alumni, and friends in supporting the School.
- Manage a portfolio of leadership annual fund and emerging major gift prospects, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
- Support donor engagement strategies, including preparing briefing materials, proposals, and stewardship reports.
- Assist in the planning and execution of fundraising and stewardship events, including signature events and cultivation gatherings.
- Collaborate with the Director of Development to track, analyze, and report on fundraising progress, trends, and opportunities.
- Work closely with Communications and Marketing to ensure consistent and compelling messaging across all development initiatives.
- Assist in maintaining Raisers Edge, ensuring data integrity, accurate gift processing, and donor records.
- Support grant management activities, including research, proposal preparation, reporting, and funder stewardship.
- Coordinate stewardship efforts for annual and endowed funds, ensuring timely and meaningful donor recognition.
- Serve as an ambassador for the School, representing its mission and values to internal and external constituents.
- Ensure adherence to best practices, compliance standards, and ethical guidelines in all fundraising activities.
- Provide general support to the Director of Development and Advancement Office as needed.
Qualifications and Attributes
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in development, fundraising, advancement, or a related field.
- Experience supporting or executing annual giving campaigns preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to build and sustain strong relationships with donors and community members.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Comfortable supporting donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts.
- Collaborative, team-oriented mindset with a willingness to take initiative.
- High level of professionalism, discretion, and integrity.
- Commitment to the mission and values of The Orchard School, including dignity, diversity, and belonging.
- Familiarity with independent school communities or nonprofit environments preferred.
- Proficiency with fundraising databases/CRM systems preferred.
- Enthusiasm for contributing to a mission-driven educational environment.
Benefits
The Orchard School values our employees and offers a total compensation package designed to attract and retain talented individuals who make our school successful. Benefits include:
- 11 paid personal days
- 25 paid vacation days
- Health, vision and dental insurance
- Retirement Savings Plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Employer paid life insurance, long- and short-term disability
- Other benefits
Inquiries and application
Candidates should apply by sending a resume and cover letter to hr@orchard.org. Please place “Associate Director of Development” in the email subject line.
Orchard values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds. Orchard does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion or national origin in the administration of its admission, tuition assistance, or employment determination.
The Orchard School is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States.
For more information about The Orchard School, please visit: www.orchard.org.
