The Mountain School of Milton Academy seeks a Director of Development beginning July 1, 2026. 

The Mountain School is a semester-long, residential academic program for high school juniors set on four hundred acres in central Vermont. Each fall and spring semester, 45 students from across the country join our campus where they take academic classes, participate in our farm and outdoor programs, and build a diverse and interdependent community of scholars. 

The Director of Development will lead all  fundraising efforts at the Mountain School, reporting to, collaborating with, and advising the School Director. In this role, they will create and execute strategies for the Annual Fund, major gifts, and a multi-year fundraising plan that focuses on retaining donors, expanding the donor base, and increasing gifts. In addition, they will research and prepare grant applications and required stewardship reports for foundations and contribute development content to the School’s website, blog, and publications. 

Starting in their first year, the Director of Development will likely lead a major campaign for the Mountain School to fund critical strategic priorities. This includes: closing six figure gifts, supporting the School Director to close six and seven figure gifts, campaign event management, committee coordination, and more.

The Director of Development will work in close partnership with outside consultants, who will provide campaign planning support, major gift coaching, prospect research and strategy, development operations guidance, grant writing services, and capacity-building resources. This partnership ensures the Director of Development has expert support throughout campaign execution while building sustainable internal development capacity.

The Director of Development will provide leadership and staff support to the school's Alumni Committee, serving as the primary liaison between the committee and school leadership. This includes setting meeting agendas, coordinating committee activities, ensuring follow-through on initiatives, and leveraging committee members' networks for fundraising and engagement opportunities.

During the campaign, the Director of Development will provide significant staff support to the Campaign Committee and campaign volunteer leadership. This includes: preparing meeting materials, coordinating volunteer solicitation activities, tracking campaign progress, managing volunteer assignments, and ensuring seamless communication between campaign leadership and school administration.

The Director of Development will personally manage a portfolio of 50-75 major donor prospects and donors, with an annual revenue goal of $750,000-1 million from this portfolio. This includes conducting 100-120 meaningful donor interactions annually (visits, calls, cultivation events), personally making or participating in asks for five- and six-figure gifts, and advancing donors through strategic moves management. The Director will partner with the School Director on the top 15-20 relationships and will coach others on their donor engagement efforts.

The Director of Development will have operational support for database management, gift processing, and donor communications. The Director of Development is responsible for ensuring these systems function effectively but will not personally execute all operational tasks.

The Director of Development will collaborate closely with other administrators to ensure consistent messaging of the School’s narrative and to expand and enhance its visibility and reputation across social media, printed communications, and the website. Additionally, they will serve as a leader within the school community, actively participating in daily operations and engaging in hands-on involvement in the school’s activities.

Compensation:

Salary starts at $100,000 and increases for exceptional candidates with independent school capital campaign experience. Full-time positions include medical and dental insurance as well as a retirement plan. Other benefits include meals on campus from our “farm to table” kitchen, easy access to outdoor spaces and trails, and opportunities to pursue professional development. 

The Mountain School encourages candidates who would add to the racial, cultural, and gender diversity of the school community. Candidates will be required to complete criminal, sexual offender, and driving record check as well as fingerprinting checks. The Mountain School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

To apply for this position, please send a resume, a concise statement of interest specific to the Mountain School, and a list of three references to Alex Myers at alex.myers@mountainschool.org

Preference given to applications received by February 1, 2026. We will begin review of applications as we receive them, and we will continue reviewing applications until the position is filled.

Essential Qualifications:

• Personal track record of securing multiple six-figure gifts
• Experience leading or significantly participating in a campaign of $5M+
• Demonstrated ability to manage portfolio of 50+ major donors with revenue accountability
• Experience coaching board members and volunteers in fundraising
• Demonstrated leadership ability, with experience managing staff, volunteers, and/or boards in a mission-driven environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders warmly and effectively.

Highly Desired Qualifications:

• Independent school fundraising experience
• Capital campaign experience
• Experience with Raiser's Edge NXT specifically
• Experience building development infrastructure from emerging to sophisticated

About The Mountain School of Milton Academy

Mission The Mountain School cultivates a diverse and interdependent community of scholars who learn to know a place and take care of it. Through collaborative learning and shared work, students emerge from their semester prepared to reach beyond the self and focus on the common good. Who We Are Each semester 45 motivated high school juniors from all over the country come together to live and work on the school’s farm in rural Vermont. Students and faculty build together a semester based on trust and an appreciation of difference, creating an academic and work-based community in which every voice matters. While living with teachers in small houses, students help to make important decisions concerning how we live together. Courses provide a demanding, integrated learning experience that takes advantage of the school's small size and mountain campus. Balancing intellectual inquiry and experiential learning, the curriculum challenges students to think flexibly, speak their minds and return to their schools equipped for continued academic success. Engagement with the farm and forest sparks an appreciation for their food, their fuel and their labor.

Connections working at The Mountain School of Milton Academy