Director of Communications and Development

Job Description

The Director of Communications and Development is responsible for building successful communications and philanthropic strategies for The Walden School. This role ensures effective communication for the school and is responsible for designing and implementing all fundraising activities. These include leading the Annual Fund, the Bid, Sip, and Celebrate Gala, and overseeing other aspects of the development program, including soliciting corporate and foundation proposals, creating a strong alumni relationship, and running special development events.

Reporting directly to the Head of School (HoS) and as a member of the Leadership Team, they will serve as a primary creative force behind all internal and external communications, taking the lead on guiding and interpreting institutional identity and brand. The Director will work closely with the Head of School, the Associate Head of School, the Director of Enrollment, and the CFO to connect with and build a strong communications strategy and culture of philanthropy within the community.  This is a full-time, 12-month position beginning July 1, 2023, or sooner.  

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

Communications:

• Collaborate with the Enrollment Office on communications and marketing initiatives and to create/produce communication materials to expand and enhance the school’s visibility and reputation.
• Design and manage newsletters, including creating and collecting content. 
• Social Media: Manage multiple social channels, including daily content creation and community engagement.
• Print Design:  Work with others to design logos, invitations, programs, banners, and brochures, from conceptualization to distribution; must have an understanding of printing processes and proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (inDesign and Illustrator) or similar applications. 
• Email Marketing: Design and create written and visual content for fundraising and marketing emails through Mailchimp; must have strong writing skills.
• Video: Produce videos for social media, website, and email, including scripting, filming, lighting, audio, and editing; must have a basic understanding of iMovie or Adobe Premiere or a similar application.
• Photo: Shoot and edit photos for print and digital publication, including social media and websites; have an understanding of Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom or a similar application.
• Web: Front-end management of the website, including creating visual and written content; must have a basic understanding of user experience.

Development:

• Enhance existing relationships while building new relationships, systems, and programs that further tap into the generosity and resources of the community. This includes personally soliciting major donors.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with a variety of stakeholders. Work with individual donors and online campaigns to support annual fundraising goals.
• Oversee communications supporting annual solicitations and other external communications with donors.
• Supervise and nurture the Parent Ambassadors.
• Implement and maintain fundraising software to ensure accurate donor and development reports and communicate and acknowledge donations.
• Maintain a database of all contributors and provide development reports as required.
• Coordinate all Development volunteers (mostly Parent Ambassador members).

A successful candidate will demonstrate the following:

• An engaging, warm demeanor -- someone who connects well with families, teachers, and students and who exudes enthusiasm, compassion, and positivity.
• Collaborate with the Leadership Team to identify organizational strategies and solutions to ongoing challenges and opportunities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills, as well as leadership experience.
• Commitment to bringing the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion into the school’s communications and into the school overall.
• Experience in Communication and Development.
• Technical skills, including experience with databases and school information systems.
• Independence and the ability to initiate work proactively; function well in a team.
• Experience in independent schools is a huge plus, but optional.

Flexibility, creativity, patience, energy, a desire to work in a collaborative, collegial, “all-in" community, a sense of humor, and a love of working with families are musts.

Interested candidates should send their resumes, cover letter, and a writing sample to apply. Additional communications/marketing samples will be requested as candidates move forward in the process.

People of color, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and members of other historically underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. 

About The Walden School

The Walden School’s Montessori based philosophy ensures that all children are successful. Children are led to discover their innate ability to learn, thus building independence, self-confidence, and inner discipline. The Walden School believes in the principles of promoting acceptance and inclusivity, embracing diversity, and inspiring human progress toward peace and harmony. The Montessori Preschool/Kindergarten is most comprehensively described as freedom in a prepared environment. Following the principles of order, beauty, and simplicity, this environment is prepared with materials designed by Maria Montessori to accommodate each developmental stage. Children learn according to their own periods of interest and readiness. While there is respect for the child’s individualism, the environment in which he operates is well structured, providing opportunities for active learning, development of self-discipline, building of self-confidence, and responsible social behavior. The Walden School’s elementary and middle school embraces a guiding philosophy that blends Montessori values with 21st century skills. Students in the elementary and middle school program at Walden are active ...participants in their learning as teachers consistently create and re-create to individualize instruction in a responsive and respectful classroom community. Children move naturally between independence and inter-dependence as needed and are consistently challenged to achieve their best. Active participation in the community prepares students to participate as critically thinking and caring citizens of the ever-changing world. The guiding principles of collaboration and peaceful conflict resolution ready Walden students to be leaders in the 21st century. Teaching and learning at Walden is joyful and engaging. Students who graduate are confident, responsible, and love learning.

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Connections working at The Walden School