National Cathedral School seeks a strategic and collaborative Director of the Purple & Gold Fund who believes in the power of young women and is dedicated to nurturing their curiosity and potential. This full-time position begins July 1, 2026. The Director will provide strategic leadership for a multi-million dollar annual giving program and collaborate across the department to support the School’s broader Development and Constituent Engagement objectives. A successful candidate is a self-motivated, results-driven, and strategic relationship-builder with a proven ability to cultivate meaningful, long-term donor partnerships aligned with the mission, values, and priorities of National Cathedral School.

Responsibilities include: 

• Provide strategic leadership for the Purple & Gold Fund, developing and executing the vision and annual operating plan to grow the program from $2.5M to $3M+ over four years.
• Design and implement a comprehensive, data-driven annual giving strategy to strengthen donor acquisition and retention through segmented outreach and multi-channel appeals.
• Manage a portfolio of 75-100 leadership-level donors and prospects, cultivating long-term relationships and personally soliciting and stewarding gifts at the $2,500+ level.
• Lead and oversee the leadership annual giving solicitation process, holding primary responsibility for achieving Purple & Gold Fund goals while partnering closely with the Director of Alumnae Engagement and Giving.
• Recruit, train, and partner with Purple & Gold Fund Chairs and volunteers to lead peer-to-peer fundraising efforts, including managing a high-performing team of parent volunteers and supporting alumnae class agents. 
• Develop and communicate a compelling case for support of the Purple & Gold Fund through high-quality written content, including appeals, stewardship, and donor-facing communications.
• Manage the annual giving program budget and track, analyze, and report on fundraising performance, partnering with the Director of Development Operations to monitor progress, identify trends, and refine strategy.
• Collaborate with the Director of Parent Engagement to leverage engagement activities to strengthen donor pipelines and support broader Development and Constituent Engagement goals.

The ideal candidate:

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of professional fundraising or related experience.
• Successful management of a donor portfolio, with demonstrated success closing gifts of $10,000 or more and achieving fundraising goals.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communications skills, including strong proficiency in Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT and Google Suite.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage data to inform decisions and provide timely, useful reports.
• Exceptional organization and attention to detail; able to work independently; high initiative, integrity, and confidentiality with colleagues, senior executives, and trustee volunteers.
• Willingness and ability to work occasional weekends and travel as occasional regional or national overnight travel is required.

Salary and Benefits: 

The full time salary range for this position is $100,000 - $105,000.  The exact salary is determined based on experience. Benefits available include medical, dental, life insurance, retirement plan with a school contribution, free parking or transit benefits, and lunch without charge, as well as support for professional development experiences. Additional stipends are available for coaching middle or upper school sports.

To apply:  

Complete this online application.  Be prepared to upload a cover letter, resume, and provide the names and contact information of three references. References will not be contacted before an interview and discussion with the applicant.

The National Cathedral School is grounded in the Episcopal promise to honor the dignity of every human being.  We believe a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community fosters intellectual excellence and empathy needed to amplify the collective power of young women to enrich and improve a dynamic world.  We therefore seek candidates who will embrace diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging to ensure a strongly connected and engaged community in and outside of the classroom.

About National Cathedral School

National Cathedral School serves 587 students in grades 4 through 12. Faculty and staff are curious, intellectually flexible, and collaborative, and they view education as an engaging vocation. Our students are engaged, fun, and kind, and they love to be challenged and viewed as confident individuals. Faculty and staff maintain a lively conversation about the meaning of an excellent education, an interest in pedagogy, and innovative uses of technology. As an Episcopal school, NCS welcomes people of all backgrounds and faiths while maintaining a close identity with Washington National Cathedral's commitment to being a house of prayer for all people.

Connections working at National Cathedral School