Walnut Hill School for the Arts seeks an Associate Director of Annual and Leadership Giving to serve as one of three frontline fundraisers in the Development department. Working closely with a dynamic development team and other departments, the Associate Director of Annual and Leadership Giving will develop programs and initiatives for Walnut Hill’s recent graduates and manage a 250-household major gift portfolio.

As a vital relationship builder and fundraiser, the Associate Director is a proactive and supportive team player with excellent communication skills who enjoys working in a dynamic, mission-focused organization. The ideal candidate has meticulous organizational skills, the ability to think creatively and critically, and is highly collaborative. Occasional evening and weekend events are required, as well as significant travel. 

This is a 12-month, exempt position reporting to the Director of Annual and Leadership Giving. All Walnut Hill faculty/staff are active and engaged members of the School community committed to collaborating and growing in their field, participating in school events and supporting students in their arts, supporting other faculty/staff members, and can self-reflect on their own practice.

Responsibilities:

Fundraising Strategy, Oversight, & Activity:

• Serve as a thought-partner to the Director of Annual and Leadership Giving to build engagement among the School’s more recent graduates toward a deeper sense of belonging with the School and among each other. Outcomes include a larger percentage of alumni who are donors,  and increasing leadership and annual gifts year-over-year;
• As the constituent program developer for recent graduates, implement innovative strategies to activate alumni participation through ongoing engagement and service opportunities to ensure the School remains relevant throughout an alumni’s life. 
• Manage a 250-household alumni and alumni parent portfolio of major gift prospects and donors (rated $250K-$499K). Ensure that key prospective and current donors are actively engaged with face-to-face meetings, phone calls, and special events to reach personal goals for revenue, meetings, qualification, and other key performance metrics on an annual basis;
• Manage up to the Director of Annual and Leadership Giving, providing a detailed understanding of activity and oversight, while building trust and independence; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Community Involvement & Engagement:

• Actively participate in the student community by supporting the Student Life program which may include serving as a faculty or club advisor, chaperoning School events, providing weekend duty (3 per year), or other opportunities for community involvement that arise throughout the school year; 
• Speak authentically about the imperative for community and belonging in schools; be committed to learning about and contributing to Walnut Hill’s culture of belonging;
• Attend student performances, art openings, and art events throughout the year; support and engage richly in arts productions, shows, exhibitions, and performances; and
• Attend Family Weekend, Open House, Class Night, Boar’s Head, Candlelight, Awards Ceremony, and Graduation; attend other events as required.

Collaboration, Professional Development, and Training:

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across all departments to foster a positive working and educational environment for students and employees to support the School’s mission, vision, and core values;
• Attend and participate in all faculty and staff meetings and department meetings; participate and engage fully in individual reviews and evaluations; be open to feedback and work with supervisor to set goals and expectations for the future;
• Pursue PD opportunities in and out of school; display willingness and ability to grow, learn, explore new approaches, and practice self-reflection; and
• Perform other administrative or educational duties as assigned by the Head of School or his designee.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required;
• 3+ years of experience in leadership/major gifts, campaign, or annual fund fundraising, preferably in education or the arts;
• Strong background in Alumni Giving and Major Gifts, including fundraising program development, specifically alumni reunion and non-reunion programs, and constituent relations programs;
• Demonstrated proficiency with Google applications, Microsoft Office Suite, Veracross or equivalent database; 
• Possess excellent customer service skills and ability to work with a wide range of people – alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, donors, board members, outside artists, vendors, and community members;
• Ability to work independently and effectively in a changing, fast-paced environment; 
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive community;
• Ability to handle highly sensitive information with discretion;
• Possess excellent and effective written and oral communication skills, strong attention to detail, and strong analytical skills; and
• Share an educational and artistic vision that aligns with the core principles of Walnut Hill;
• Ability to work nights and weekends as needed;
• Ability to travel nationally up to 40% of the time, with occasional international travel; and
• Ability to support the Student Life program through three annual weekend duty shifts to chaperone School events.

About Walnut Hill School for the Arts

Walnut Hill School for the Arts, located in Natick, Massachusetts and 20 minutes from Boston, is an independent boarding and day high school offering a transformational educational experience designed for student artists in grades 9–post graduate. Walnut Hill combines a comprehensive college-preparatory academic curriculum with intensive, pre-professional artistic training in theatre, dance, music, visual art, and writing, film & media arts. Walnut Hill is committed to creating and enhancing an inclusive environment, and welcoming and celebrating a wide range of cultural, artistic, and educational backgrounds that compliments and supports our diverse community. Commitment to the school’s Core Values, of Community, Growth, Excellence, Creativity, and Respect are imperative to the success of all Walnut Hill faculty, staff, and administration members. All Walnut Hill faculty/staff are active and engaged members of the school community who are committed to collaborating and growing in their field, participating in school events, supporting students in their arts, supporting other faculty/staff members, and who have the ability to self-reflect on their own practice.

Connections working at Walnut Hill School for the Arts