Development Director

SUMMARY:

Austin Waldorf School (AWS) is seeking an experienced and motivated Development Director to build, lead, and oversee our annual and long-range development plans for the school.  

AWS is at an important juncture in its 40-year history. The 2020-2021 school year will see the completion of a new and ambitious Strategic Plan as well as a four-phase Campus Master Site Plan by Lake l Flato Architects.  A Feasibility Study for capital fundraising will be conducted by the end of the spring session. Despite the many challenges of 2020, the Austin Waldorf School is in a position of great opportunity.

The development program includes annual giving, donor relationships, solicitations (parents, grandparents, alumni, alumni parents, and friends), cultivation and fundraising events, volunteer coordination, grants and collaborative partnerships, and Board development. The Development Director reports to the Head of School and works closely with the Board of Trustees, the Development Committee, the Community and Resource Development Circle, Parent Society leadership, and the Enrollment and Finance Directors. 

Nestled on twenty-seven acres in the beautiful Hill Country of Central Texas, the Austin Waldorf School (AWS) is one of the leading Waldorf schools in the country, providing a unique educational experience for hundreds of students from Pre-K through the 12th grade. Founded in 1980, AWS is the only Waldorf school with a high school in the state of Texas, offering well-rounded academics along with a full range of Waldorf-specific curricula. Ninety-four percent of our graduates go on to attend a college or university. 

Committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, we welcome and encourage applicants of any religion, race, color, sexual orientation, gender preference, and national or ethnic origin.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead school development efforts in fundraising, alumni and community relationships, and collaborative partnerships;
• Develop and implement annual and long-range plans and goals for development and advancement, in alignment with the Board of Trustees and the school’s strategic plans;
• Develop and implement a culture of philanthropy, stewardship, and solicitation to support the school’s mission and strategic initiatives;
• Cultivate lasting relationships on behalf of the school with parents, alumni families, and existing and prospective donors;
• Schedule, manage, and conduct regular visits with prospects for the purpose of soliciting major gifts and strengthening donor relationships;
• Engage and guide board members and other school leaders in cultivating and soliciting donors;
• Ensure strong volunteer leadership and volunteer involvement on the Development Committee;
• Work closely with Parent Society leadership to ensure and coordinate volunteer support for fundraising efforts;
• Develop outreach and marketing strategies (internal and external) in collaboration with the Enrollment Director;
• Oversee and coordinate day-to-day development operations;
• Prepare and publish annual report;
• Oversee annual giving program;
• Lead event management including:
• Grandparents Day,
• Spring Benefit, 
• Alumni Events, and
• Donor Gratitude events.
• Oversee gift processing and information systems ensuring that office systems and technology appropriately support development efforts (development analysis and research, donor prospect database, donor profiles and history, gift acknowledgement and record keeping, fundraising software, etc.);
• Report regularly to the Head of School and Board of Trustees on plans, program, issues, and accomplishments;
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Head of School.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

The Development Director reports to the Head of School. A part-time Development and Alumni Associate reports to the Development Director.