Position Purpose

Under the direction of the Head of School, the Development Manager will prepare and present regular reports on progress towards fundraising goals. Plan and execute special events. Manage grant writing and identification of new grant opportunities. Generate donor communications, newsletters, and annual reports. Oversee enrollment and marketing functions and align communications, enrollment, and development efforts into a unified articulation of the Austin Waldorf School (AWS) value proposition to all stakeholders. 

The Development Manager responsibilities include:

• Implement and execute an annual fundraising plan to meet fundraising goals.

• Develop and implement best practices, including the identification and implementation of cost-effective data management systems.

• Manage a portfolio of donors, including establishing and maintaining detailed records.

• Prepare and present regular reports on progress toward fundraising goals.

• Plan and execute special events.

• Manage grant writing and identification of new grant opportunities.

• Generate donor communications, newsletters, and annual reports.

• Assist in the creation of print, digital, and social media content directly related to development.

• Network and maintain regular correspondence with donors.

• Engage in community outreach to expand the donor base.

• Find ideal donors from public and private investors.

• Create a respectful reputation for AWS.

• Construct graphs and reports to convey strategies and needs.

• Write content to earn grants, new audiences, and better relationships with donors and other organizations.

• Ensures effective work practices in financial accounting and reconciliation, database management, gift recording, donor acknowledgment, and stewardship.

• Maintain records on current and prospective donors.

• Communicates effectively with the faculty and staff and keeps them informed of upcoming development activities and engagements if/as needed.

• Demonstrates professionalism in conduct, demeanor, and work habits.

• Prepare or delegate preparation of written and verbal proposals, scholarship proposals, grant proposals, endowment and planned giving agreements, concept and informational materials, and other materials needed to secure gifts.

• Manage the Advancement budget, forecast revenue vs. actuals and cash flow estimates. Provide reporting on fundraising activities as needed. 

• Work directly with the Head of School and Board of Trustees on Advancement goals.

• Oversee and evaluate the Advancement department.

Essential Functions

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of fund development (major/planned giving), with the ability to organize, create, and implement development efforts through marketing.

• Identify, cultivate, and solicit current and potential donors and sponsors for the school auction, annual fund, capital campaign, and endowment targeting gifts of $10,000 and above. This includes initiating appointment requests through phone calls and contact letters, scheduling appointments and making the ask.

• Work with the Parent Association on events like Winter Fair and Pumpkin Path.

• Identify, cultivate, and secure legacy-giving donors through wills, life insurance, trusts, and retirement plan designations for school Endowment. Where possible, seek verbal or written documentation of the dollar value of legacy gift commitments. 

• Prepare individual communication, cultivation, and solicitation plans for each major gift donor/prospect to include gratitude phone calls, personal notes, invitations to special events, and timing and approach of the next ask. 

• Oversee database maintenance and timely acknowledgment of gifts or donations through thank you letters and yearly contribution reports. 

• Interacts with various stakeholders to foster a positive relationship between the school and community including the Parent Association, community organizations, and leaders.

• Directs the school’s Development Plan by establishing short (annual) and long (3-5 year) range goals and objectives for the development office based on the school’s long-range plan. 

• The incumbent facilitates the development and publication of an articulated, written case statement about the school which tells the story of AWS and includes the school’s philosophy, values, mission, and public and community contributions. 

• Ensure the development and implementation of a comprehensive public relations and communications plan for the school. Build relationships with school leadership, teachers, and staff; parents of current, former, and future students; local civic and business leaders and area residents. 

• Establish an Endowment for Financial Aid and Teacher Education.

• Responsible for ensuring enrollment metrics are met with the advancement team. 

• Lead the Capital Campaign efforts.

• Lead the Development Committee meetings, preparing a clear agenda and assigning tasks to members.

Professional Requirements 

• Excellent leadership skills.

• The position requires creativity, decision-making, interpersonal skills, use of discretion, teamwork, negotiation, independent judgment/ action, problem analysis, service orientation, and public relations.

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the proven ability to professionally and effectively communicate with educators, parents, and community leaders. 

• Must be able to handle multiple projects/priorities.

• Communicator: Strong interpersonal communication skills & ability to communicate well in a variety of venues and mediums.

• Self-Starter: Ability to take initiative, work independently, and hold oneself accountable.

• Organized and Deadline-Oriented: Ability to manage multiple projects with converging deadlines while maintaining a positive, can-do attitude. 

• Trustworthy: Commitment to abide by a strict code of conduct. 

• Confidential: Must have the ability to keep sensitive information private.

Education and Experience

• B.A. in communications, finance, public relations, and/or marketing or an equivalent combination. 

• Experience in Development/Advancement or a comparable field for a minimum of three to five years.

• Experience in a non-profit setting is preferable.

• Proven record of success in fundraising.

• Experience with a Capital Campaign is preferred.

About Austin Waldorf School

AWS is an established school community with a projected enrollment of around 390 students in pre-kindergarten-12 (85+ students in the high school) for the 2024/2025 school year. AWS is fully accredited by the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) and the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS). Community events, such as festivals, concerts, plays, athletics, and adult education classes, create an atmosphere of cultural enrichment. Our picturesque 30-acre campus consists of four kindergartens, eight-grade school classrooms, library, handwork room, nine-classroom high school including a state-of-the-art science lab, performing arts center, gymnasium, eurythmy hall, art studio, school store, gardens, and playgrounds. Austin is a vibrant city set in the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country. It’s a beautiful place to live with many offerings of a much larger city while providing quick access to lovely greenspace. The Austin Waldorf School is a non-profit organization that welcomes applicants of any religion, race, color, sexual orientation, gender, national or ethnic origin

Connections working at Austin Waldorf School