Posted: 18-Nov-25
Location: Lake Forest, Illinois
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Preferred Education:
Summary:
Woodlands Academy is seeking an Associate Director of Development. This in-person position is responsible for the cultivation, stewardship, and fundraising efforts with alumnae, parents of alumnae, and current parents, as well as for planning, promoting, and executing special events for these groups. The Associate Director works directly with the Chief Development Officer to plan strategic communications and other initiatives aimed at maintaining and fortifying relationships and increasing donor participation with measurable goals for growth in both engagement and revenue.
Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart is one of 25 Sacred Heart schools in the United States and Canada. Sacred Heart education at Woodlands Academy is distinctive and emphasizes best practices for the education of girls and innovative practices for academic excellence. Established in 1858, the school forms global citizens and transforms young women through a dynamic of relationships that respects the dignity of each community member.
Responsibilities:
- In collaboration with the Chief Development Officer, identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward alumnae, parents of alumnae, current parents, and grandparents. Develop and execute strategies to achieve measurable year-over-year growth in participation and average giving amounts among these constituencies.
- Regularly communicate with alumnae, parents of alumnae, and current parents through phone calls, email campaigns, school events, donor events, quarterly newsletters, and other school updates to strengthen relationships and increase engagement metrics.
- Build strong relationships with current students and families to raise awareness of the important role alumnae, parents, and parents of alumnae play in the ongoing advancement of Woodlands Academy. Track engagement to ensure growth in future donor participation.
- Lead donor event logistics from inception to execution including menu planning, set up requests, collateral preparation, sponsor and auction item procurement, and drive attendance with goals to increase event revenue and participation year-over-year.
- Serve as the staff liaison to the Woodlands Academy Alumnae Association, aiding in the planning and execution of all committee activities, alumnae events, and reunions with the goal of strengthening alumnae engagement and participation rates.
- Send correspondence to alumnae for personal achievements, births, weddings, and memorials.
- Act as a staff liaison to the Woodlands Academy Mothers’ and Fathers’ Clubs, recruiting, training, and supporting all volunteer roles, and working with volunteers to plan all special events, including the annual gala, Congé. Ensure each event meets defined participation and fundraising goals.
- Act as a liaison between the Parents of Alumnae group and the school, supporting the planning and execution of their community-building events and tracking growth in attendance and engagement.
- Support all efforts related to the capital campaign as directed.
- Collaborate with the Communication and Marketing team to manage and create digital content in support of Development efforts and monitor performance metrics to inform strategy.
- Crosstrain with the Database Specialist to be able to enter gifts, create queries, and run reports as needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Development Officer.
Requirements and Qualifications:
- Minimum bachelor’s degree.
- At least 5 years of experience working in Development at an independent school.
- Proficiency in technology, including Raiser’s Edge, Microsoft Suite, Mail Chimp, knowledge of Canva, and the ability to navigate other development/events platforms.
- Strong verbal and written communications skills.
- Excellent social media communication skills.
- Ability and desire to support, implement, and model the Goals and Criteria for Sacred Heart Schools.
- Ability to manage a variety of projects and special events with minimal supervision.
- High professional and ethical standards for handling confidential information.
- Availability to work nights, weekends, and extended days as needed to meet goals and fulfill job responsibilities.
- Willingness to be an active, engaged member of the Woodlands Academy (WA) community.
- This is an in-person position; candidates must be able to work on-site.
- Completion of Virtus: Protecting God’s Children training.
- Successful completion of criminal and sexual offender registry background checks.