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Posted: 31-Oct-24
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Type: Full Time
Salary: 85,000
Preferred Education:
Position Announcement: Director of Development
Rio Grande School, Santa Fe, NM
Rio Grande School is an interdisciplinary school that serves students from three years old to grade six, with class sizes ranging from 16-21 students, a 6:1 student-educator ratio, and a total school population of 170. Located at the base of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains on five acres of high desert, surrounded by arroyos and hiking trails, Rio Grande School is perfectly situated for students to engage with both the natural wonders of the outdoors and the academic challenges of the classroom. By nurturing this culture of thinking our students are taught to think critically -to be both leaders and learners.
This is a full-time (.75-1.0 FTE), 12 month position. Some evening and weekend work may be required. Start date ASAP or July 1, 2024.
About the Position
Rio Grande School (RGS) seeks a dynamic and dedicated Director of Development to join our leadership team and drive the school’s mission and values through impactful fundraising initiatives.
Reporting to the Head of School, the Director of Development will oversee all fundraising strategies and constituent relations, serving as a key ambassador for RGS’s vision.
This role requires a strategic leader who combines relationship-building expertise with outstanding organizational skills, integrity, and a collaborative spirit. The ideal candidate will confidently communicate the school’s goals and foster lasting connections with donors, trustees, alumni, and families. They will bring an enthusiasm for teamwork, innovation, and advancing the school’s mission in a welcoming, community-focused environment.
Desired Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in education, business, or related field, with at least five years of nonprofit fundraising experience. Prior experience in an independent school is a plus.
- Proficiency in major gift fundraising, planned giving, annual funds, and donor stewardship.
- Strong understanding of marketing, PR, strategic planning, and fiscal management.
- Has, or is willing and able to develop, proficiency in use of technology: Veracross Student Information System, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), etc.
- Deep commitment to RGS’s mission, values, and culture.
- Exceptional interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills with experience in public speaking.
- Self-motivated, adaptable, and collaborative, with high professionalism and confidentiality.
Key Responsibilities
- Fundraising Leadership: Direct all aspects of annual fund, capital capital campaigns, and planned giving efforts.
- Campaign Oversight: Lead campaign strategies with the Head of School, volunteers, and the Development Committee of the Board of Trustees. Oversee gift processing by:
- Entering gifts into the Veracross database.
- Processing automatic payment gifts and following-up with donors if automatic withdrawals are unsuccessful.
- Processing pledges and recurring gifts.
- Processing receipts and pledge reminders.
- Producing solicitation letters, acknowledgement letters, tax receipts, and end-of-year contribution letters.
- Maintaining hard copies and files of all gifts and endowments.
Donor and Constituent Relations: Oversee stewardship activities, alumni relations, and volunteer involvement by:
- Creating new constituent records.
- Maintaining and updating biographical and contact information.
- Linking relationships within the Veracross database.
- Corresponding with donors as needed.
- Strategic Planning: In collaboration with the Head of School, design and implement short- and long-term development plans.
- Collaborative School Leadership: Partner with admissions and other administrative departments to align development efforts with RGS’s growth and community-building goals and to perpetuate the RGS brand.
Board Support: Creates and shares various reports (endowment, campaign, annual fund, financial, and donor from Veracross) with the Board of Trustees and Head of School. Works with the development committee of the Board of Trustees supporting sub-committees as necessary and appropriate.
We encourage you to apply if you are passionate about supporting a school community that values lifelong learning, character building, and creativity.
How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and references to Miranda Rivera (miranda_rivera@riograndeschool.org) with the subject line “Director of Development Application.” Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
This is a full-time (.75-1.0 FTE), 12-month position. Some evening and weekend work may be required. Start date ASAP or July 1, 2024.
Desired Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in education, business, or related field, with at least five years of nonprofit fundraising experience. Prior experience in an independent school is a plus.
- Proficiency in major gift fundraising, planned giving, annual funds, and donor stewardship.
- Strong understanding of marketing, PR, strategic planning, and fiscal management.
- Has, or is willing and able to develop, proficiency in use of technology: Veracross Student Information System, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), etc.
- Deep commitment to RGS’s mission, values, and culture.
- Exceptional interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills with experience in public speaking.
- Self-motivated, adaptable, and collaborative, with high professionalism and confidentiality.