Posted: 13-Apr-26
Location: Marietta, Georgia
Type: Full Time
Salary: Negotiable
Categories:
Preferred Education:
Assistant Director of Development
The Walker School, Marietta, Georgia
The Walker School is seeking a dynamic, relationship-driven fundraising professional to serve as its next Assistant Director of Development. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic and mission-aligned leader to help shape a culture of philanthropy within a vibrant independent school community.
If you are energized by building meaningful relationships, advancing mission-driven work, and making a lasting impact through philanthropy, this role offers the opportunity to do just that.
About the Opportunity
As a key partner to the Assistant Head of School for Advancement, the Assistant Director of Development will play a central role in designing and executing a comprehensive development strategy. This position will help grow philanthropic support while strengthening engagement across parents, alumni, and friends of the school. This is a highly visible role for a professional who thrives at the intersection of strategy and relationship-building and who is passionate about independent school education and nonprofit impact.
What You Will Do
Advance Fundraising Strategy
- Lead and support integrated annual giving strategies to increase participation and dollars raised
- Manage and grow a portfolio of leadership annual fund and major gift prospects
- Conduct personalized outreach and face-to-face donor engagement
- Help expand leadership giving and donor retention
Drive Donor Engagement and Stewardship
- Build authentic, lasting relationships with parents, alumni, grandparents, and friends
- Design and execute meaningful stewardship strategies that demonstrate impact
- Identify and cultivate new major gift prospects
- Partner on moves management to advance donors through the giving pipeline
Lead Programs and Initiatives
- Oversee implementation of the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program
- Educate donors on tax credit opportunities and manage scholarship coordination
- Support volunteer engagement, including parent and leadership volunteers
Plan Events and Strengthen Community
- Assist in the execution of donor events, cultivation gatherings, and recognition experiences
- Represent the school at key advancement and community events
Support Operations and Data Strategy
- Maintain accurate donor records and track engagement activity
- Monitor fundraising progress and provide reporting insights
- Partner with leadership and the Board on donor strategy, communications, and presentations
What You Bring
- Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of progressive development experience, preferably in an independent school or nonprofit setting
- Proven success in securing major gifts and achieving fundraising goals
- A strategic mindset with a strong, donor-centered approach
- Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills that inspire action
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities
- Comfort with data, donor systems, and digital tools
- A collaborative spirit and a deep appreciation for mission-driven work
Why Walker
At Walker, relationships are at the heart of everything we do. Our mission to inspire transformative learning is made possible through a community that believes in meaningful connections, academic excellence, and opportunity. This role offers the chance to make a direct impact on students and families through philanthropic support, work alongside a collaborative and forward-thinking leadership team, and help shape the future of a thriving independent school community.
Ready to Make an Impact
If you are a development professional who thrives in a relationship-centered environment and is passionate about advancing education through philanthropy, we invite you to apply. To view the complete job description, please click this link.
