Whitby School is an innovative, independent school dedicated to educating the whole child and fostering curiosity, confidence, and compassion in every student.  Rooted in a progessive educational philosophy, Whitby blends academic rigor with experiential learning to prepare students to think critically, act ethically, and engage meaningfully with the world around them.

Whitby's close-knit community values collaboration, creativity, and continuous growth.  Faculty and Staff are deeply committed to supporting students' intellectual, social, and emotional development within a nuturing and forward-thinking environment.

Whitby School is committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and mission-driven workplace. Faculty and staff are valued as partners in the School's ongoing growth and success, and collaboration across departments is central to Whitby's culture.

Whitby is distinguished by its triple accreditation through the American Montessori Society, the International Baccalaureate Organization, and the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools, reflecting a sustained commitment to educational excellence and continuous improvement.

Whitby School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, or any other protected status.

Whitby School seeks a visionary and relational Director of Institutional Advancement to play a transformative role in shaping the School's future.  Reporting directly to the Head of School and serving as a member of the Leadership Team, the next Director will guide and integrate all aspects of advancement, including fundraising, strategic marketing and branding, communications, and community engagement.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasonal advancement professional who is energized by both strategy and execution.  The Director of Institutional Advancement will build and steward a comprehensive advancement program that strengthens Whitby's visibility, deepens relationships, and advances the School's long-term mission and strategic priorities.

The ideal candidate is a compelling communicator, a proven fundraiser, and a collaborative leader who is inspired by independent school education and motivated to make a lasting institutional impact. 

***HOW TO APPLY***

The School has engaged Big Back Pack, a national search firm specializing in Finance, Operations, and Advancement leadership for independent schools. Big Back Pack's human-centered, mission-aligned approach is designed to connect schools with leaders who will thrive within their unique communities.

Interested candidates should submit the following materials electronically:

• A cover letter expressing interest in the position
• A current resume
• a List of five (5) professional references (to be contacted only with candidate approval)

All Materials should be sent to our Search Consultants:

Tucker Hastings, Senior Search Consultant - tucker@bigbackpack.org

Paul Baly, Senior Search Consultant - paul@bigbackpack.org

he ideal candidate will bring:

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in institutional advancement or a related field, preferably in an independent school setting.
• Proven track record of success in fundraising, marketing, and communications.
• Ability to lead and support small teams including strategic and tactical work.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Passion for independent school education.
• Strong leadership, management, and interpersonal skills.

About Whitby School

A Whitby education is about allowing students to define success on their own terms by inspiring their love of learning, broadening their sense of responsibility, developing their critical thinking skills and empowering them to take action in a global community. These are the ideals that we value and they inform our teaching, learning and curriculum development each and every day. Whitby is recognized by three accrediting bodies - the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS). We think this is pretty amazing. This ensures we remain focused on our mission and progressive in our continued commitment to provide an exceptional learning continuum for our students. Whitby is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information on Whitby School visit www.whitbyschool.org.

Connections working at Whitby School