POSITION SUMMARY AND OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Director of Annual Giving & Advancement Operations leads the team by driving strategy, planning, and execution of the school’s Annual Fund (the Churchill Fund) while implementing the essential advancement systems that support effective fundraising. 

This role is first and foremost an annual-giving and donor-engagement position, supported by thoughtful, streamlined execution of Raiser’s Edge/NXT. This position is responsible for increasing philanthropic revenue and participation across constituency groups while ensuring data accuracy, strong analytics, and efficient gift processing that supports a high-performing fundraising program. The Director will develop compelling outreach strategies, partners with volunteers and school leadership, and use data to inform decisions, grow donor engagement, and support long-term fundraising goals.

Through an integrated strategy, relationship-building, and thoughtful systems management, this role ensures that Churchill’s fundraising efforts are both donor-centered and data-driven, strengthening the culture of giving and advancing the school’s mission.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

FUNDRAISING

Annual Fund Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive Annual Giving plan with goals for revenue, participation, donor acquisition, and retention.
• Create and manage the annual appeals calendar, including print, digital, and personal outreach campaigns. 
• Craft persuasive messaging, impact storytelling, and fundraising materials aligned with school priorities.
• Implement segmentation strategies using available data and insights.
• Collaborate with the Marketing & Communications Manager on branding, creative assets, campaign voice, and donor communications.

Donor Engagement & Relationship Building

• Cultivate and steward annual fund donors, including families, alumni, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends of the school.
• Support school leadership in identifying, cultivating, and stewarding leadership-level donors.
• Plan donor recognition touchpoints and impact reporting.
• Represent Advancement at school events to build relationships and visibility.

Volunteer Engagement & Community Activation

• Build, train, and manage volunteer structures to support outreach and peer-to-peer fundraising.
• Create talking points, scripts, data lists, FAQs, and training materials for volunteers throughout the year.
• Organize and lead volunteer meetings, track participation goals, and support Giving Day strategies, challenges, matches, and participation pushes.

ADVANCEMENT OPERATIONS

Data & Raiser’s Edge/NXT 

• Maintain quality, accuracy, consistency, and security of donor/constituent records.
• Conduct periodic reviews to ensure clean, reliable data for fundraising needs.
• Build queries, reports, and segmentation lists for appeals, stewardship, events, and reporting. 
• Create dashboards and reports tracking revenue, participation, and donor retention.
• Use insights to support the annual giving strategy and donor engagement
• Maintain accurate performance reporting for Advancement and Board purposes.

Gift Processing & Acknowledgment

• Carry out gift entry, batching, pledges, recurring gifts, soft credits, tributes, and matching gifts.
• Ensure timely acknowledgments, tax receipts, and pledge reminders.
• Prepare reports that support Finance and Advancement coordination and reconciliation.
• Support simple data and reporting needs connected to events and follow-up. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• 3-5+ years of experience in fundraising or advancement; Annual Fund management required, and a strong facility with Raiser’s Edge/NXT preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading annual giving or donor campaigns.
• Expertise with core Raiser’s Edge/NXT functions, including queries, reporting, segmentation, and gift processing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including storytelling and persuasive appeal writing.
• Strong relationship-building skills with diverse constituents, including families, alumni, trustees, faculty, staff, and students.
• Highly organized, goal-driven, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines with focus, professionalism, humor, and positivity.
• Ability to work comfortably within data systems while also engaging with donors and community stakeholders.
• Desire to work collaboratively and independently, and proven ability to exercise discretion, and represent the school with professionalism and warmth.

COMPENSATION

The salary for this role is $90,000-$115,000, commensurate with experience. The Churchill School and Center is an equal opportunity employer and offers a competitive benefits package. Interested candidates should address a cover letter to Lauren Gogus, Chief Advancement Officer, along with a resume and three professional references. These documents should be sent to Lauren Gogus at lgogus@churchillschoolnyc.org by Friday, January 16, 2026.

Benefits package: Ten days annual personal/sick time, annual merit-based bonus pay, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, disability income benefits, flexible spending account, health savings account, commuter benefits, paid family leave, daily complimentary lunch, professional development opportunities, and a 403(b) retirement plan with a 7% employer contribution after two years of employment.

Churchill’s Vision

A world where students with language-based learning disabilities embrace their learning differences and see limitless possibilities.

Churchill Mission

To provide an innovative and transformational K-12 learning community that empowers students with language-based learning disabilities.

The Churchill School and Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, religion, creed, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical challenge, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, or any other characteristic. Churchill is committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourages applications from candidates of color and from underrepresented groups.

About Churchill School and Center

Churchill’s Vision: A world where students with language-based learning disabilities embrace their learning differences and see limitless possibilities. Churchill’s Mission: To provide an innovative and transformational K-12 learning community that empowers students with language-based learning disabilities.

Connections working at Churchill School and Center