Career Center

About Woodstock Day School

Founded in 1973, Woodstock Day School (WDS) is a progressive, independent school set on a 40-acre campus in New York’s Hudson Valley.  Located midway between the towns of Woodstock and Saugerties and roughly two hours north of Manhattan, WDS is a board-certified member of the New York State Association of Independent Schools and offers a unique and inclusive educational experience to approximately 200 students from nursery school through grade twelve.  

WDS believes that there is no such thing as an “average” student, and our combination of purposefully small class sizes, intensely committed faculty and a culture of individual respect empowers our students to aim high, shape and achieve their personal goals, and prepares them to make a positive difference in a complex world.  Added to the program in 2003, our middle and upper schools offer outstanding programs for grades 6-12, helping students discover their passions, achieve academic and personal excellence and demonstrate a commitment to service. WDS actively seeks to build a diverse community of educators.

Summary

Under the direction and guidance of the Executive Director, the Director of Development is charged with comprehensive responsibility for the planning, oversight, and execution of all aspects of fundraising and donor engagement. The Director of Development is expected to accomplish the overall mission and vision of Woodstock Day School through inspirational and strategic leadership that reflects excellent communication, vision, and integrity. The Director of Development is a member of the Development Committee of the Board of Trustees and helps build the Board’s capacity to meet and exceed its fundraising responsibilities and goals. 

Responsibilities

• Establish an intentional, formalized development plan that is consistent with the mission, vision, and values of the Woodstock Day School. 
• Develop and execute implementation of all fundraising initiatives and programs including, but not limited to: Annual Fund, capital campaigns, grant writing, major gifts, and planned giving.
• Ensure the school meets its Annual Fund and fundraising campaign goals by soliciting gifts from individuals (current and former parents, alumni, and others) using a variety of fundraising strategies, including but not limited to:
• Utilizing direct mail, email, and social media fundraising strategies.
• Overseeing the annual auction and other fundraising events, including successfully engaging and utilizing volunteers to accomplish event goals.
• Researching and cultivating prospective donors.
• Identifying and building relations with potential donors and prospects for major gifts.
• Ensuring donors are properly acknowledged and thanked.
• Research and identify institutional, government, foundation, and corporate funding opportunities. Oversee the creation and submission of letters of inquiry and grant proposals, and the maintenance of reporting and other current grantee requirements. 
• Design and implement strategy for donor communication and relationship building.  
• Plan and execute all development communications such as emails, newsletters, appeals, stewardship materials, acknowledgement letters, and the annual report. Successfully utilize social media channels and the school’s website to generate financial support for the school.
• Manage donor database. Keep records of all real-time interactions with potential donors and gifts to school. Maintain constituency lists, files and giving records.
• Prepare detailed reports and analysis on fundraising performance for the Executive Director, Development Committee, and the Board of Trustees.
• Guide school administrators, faculty, and students on any school-related fundraising efforts.
• Work with the Director of Admissions and Outreach and other staff to cultivate alumni giving and participation.
• Provide financial oversight for the development activities, including budgeting, planning and expense tracking. 
• Serve on the Development Committee of the Board of Trustees and support the Board in meeting and exceeding their fundraising goals; Recruit, train, and lead Development Committee members and Trustees in major gift solicitations and overall fundraising and cultivation activities. 
• Other tasks and responsibilities, as assigned by the Executive Director.

Desired Qualifications

• Ambitious and determined, empathetic, intellectual, and thoughtful, and entrepreneurial, imaginative, and creative. 
• Superior organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail. 
• Ability to work calmly and thoughtfully under pressure, thrive working collaboratively with a passionate team of colleagues, be able to juggle multiple and competing priorities, and be an excellent, people-centered communicator. 
• Solution-oriented thinker.
• Positive, engaging, and optimistic.
• Growth mindset and willingness to tackle new tasks.

Desired Experience and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in related field required; Master’s degree preferred
• Experience in nonprofit development and fundraising. Prior experience working in a school or educational non-profit is preferred.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Experience with donor software.
• Technological savvy and willingness to learn and embrace new technologies.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a letter of interest, explaining why you would succeed in this position, resume, contact information for three references and salary requirements via e-mail to careers@woodstockdayschool.org. Please include Director of Development in the subject line. 

The Woodstock Day School is committed to a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. WDS prohibits all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation, including behavior which targets an individual or group based on perceived or actual characteristics, such as but not limited to: race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), national origin, age, disability, military service, veteran status, marital status, partnership status, sexual orientation, familial status, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, alienage, citizenship status, caregiver status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sex offense or stalking, unemployment status, status as a certified medical marijuana patient or any other legally protected classification.

About Woodstock Day School

Woodstock Day School is a progressive, independent day school located on a breathtaking 50-acre campus in the Catskill Mountains. Our mission is to provide a socially and environmentally mindful education from Nursery School – 12th Grade, valuing each student as an individual and as a member of the community.

Connections working at Woodstock Day School