The Orchard School

Indianapolis, Indiana

www.orchard.org

Director of Development

FT/PT:  Full Time

Status: Exempt

Reports To: Head of School

The Position

The Orchard School is seeking an experienced Director of Development to serve as a senior leadership partner to the Head of School and Board. In this role, the Director of Development will lead and oversee a comprehensive fundraising strategy across the Orchard School community; driving major and principal gifts while building a strong culture of philanthropy to ensure long-term mission sustainability. The ideal candidate is an experienced development leader with a proven record in campaign leadership and board partnership.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and lead a multi-year, comprehensive philanthropy strategy aligned with Orchard’s mission, vision and strategic goals.
• Partner with the Head of School, Board leadership, and key volunteers on high-level donor strategy, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Partner with the Head of School and Board representatives to set fundraising strategy, including annual, major, planned, and campaign giving.
• Foster a school-wide culture of philanthropy, ensuring that trustees, faculty, staff, families, alumni and friends understand and support philanthropic priorities.
• Coordinate with the Head of School, Associate Director of Development and volunteers to achieve a robust, goal-oriented annual giving campaign.
• Lead, mentor, and supervise the Development team, including the Associate Director of Development and other advancement staff and volunteers as assigned.
• Provide leadership to all fundraising and stewardship events, including signature events, cultivation gatherings, and campaign-related activities.
• Partner with the Associate Director of Development to manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects.
• Provide monthly analysis and reporting on philanthropic performance, trends, and opportunities.
• Lead major and capital campaign planning and execution, as applicable.
• Collaborate with Communications and Marketing to ensure consistent, compelling, and mission-aligned messaging across all audiences.
• Align fundraising priorities with enrollment, marketing, and community engagement strategies.
• Partner with institutional leaders to articulate the School’s value proposition and philanthropic priorities.
• Oversee advancement systems, data integrity, and fundraising operations.
• Manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies in partnership with the Head of School.
• Ensure best practices, compliance, and ethical standards in all philanthropic activities.
• Steward all individual endowed funds.
• Serve as an ambassador for the school in the broader community.
• Oversee grant management including reports and liaison to grantors

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
• 30 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 “Director of Development” in the email subject line. Resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis through April 24, 2026. Preferred start date: July 1, 2026 or earlier. 

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.

Qualifications and Attributes 

• Commitment to the mission and values of The Orchard School, its 103-year history,  Progressive Education and key values: dignity, diversity, and belonging.
• Demonstrated leadership presence with the ability to build trusted relationships with trustees, donors, and institutional leaders.
• A strong track record of cultivating, securing and stewarding progressively increased gifts at $25,000 and above with major donors. 
• 3-5 years’ experience executing an annual giving campaign.
• Demonstrated strategic, analytical, and leadership experience.
• Exceptional oral and written communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Comfortable with managing relationship-building, direct fundraising solicitations and administrative responsibilities.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive advancement or philanthropy leadership experience.
• Experience with or knowledge of independent school communities preferred, not required
• Experience partnering closely with boards and senior executives.
• Deep appreciation for the role of philanthropy in sustaining mission-driven education.

About The Orchard School

Connections working at The Orchard School