2026 | Director of Development

Explore the official Director of Development job description booklet

ABOUT MADISON COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

As Dane County’s only independent PreK-12 International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, MCDS delivers a top, college-preparatory education in a welcoming environment where every student and educator is truly known. 

We are looking for energetic, collaborative, and open-minded colleagues who are eager to embrace new challenges and inspire our students to become lifelong critical thinkers. 

At MCDS, we are deeply committed to an inclusive culture that respects, affirms, and protects the dignity of every individual. If you are passionate about the IB mission and want to work in a supportive community where your voice is valued and your impact is real, we want you on our team!

MCDS MISSION
Madison Country Day School is an independent, college-preparatory, Pre-K to Grade 12, International Baccalaureate World School whose mission is to:

• Inspire each student to discover their extraordinary capacity to learn and thrive in an evolving world by cultivating a challenging environment and a supportive community.

POSITION OVERVIEW FOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Madison Country Day School (MCDS), serving approximately 515 students in Madison, WI, seeks an experienced, visionary, and strategic leader to serve as the Director of Development.

As a vital member of both the Advancement and Leadership Teams, the Director of Development will design, execute, and oversee a comprehensive, multi-faceted fundraising program. This pivotal role is responsible for driving sustainable philanthropic growth, managing the development budget, and leading a dedicated team to cultivate a vibrant culture of generosity across local and global communities. To advance the institution’s strategic vision, the Director works in close collaboration with the Head of School, the Board of Trustees, and school families to maximize engagement and giving.

The ideal candidate is an inspiring communicator and proven relationship-builder with a successful track record in major gift cultivation, capital campaigns, and strategic annual giving. To excel in this role, the Director must possess exceptional organizational and financial acumen, a demonstrated ability to mentor and lead a collaborative development team, and a deep commitment to fostering an inclusive culture of philanthropy across all school constituencies.

Key Responsibilities & Portfolio Focus

FUNDRAISING & CAMPAIGNS: Annual Fund, Major Donor Development, Capital Campaigns, Endowment, Planned Giving, and Legacy Gifts.

SIGNATURE EVENTS & GIVING CIRCLES: Yahara Society, "Sharing our Love" Silent Auction, Celebrate: MCDS Gala, and the annual Fund-A-Need "Mini-Capital Campaign."

COMMUNITY & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT: Alumni Relations, Grandparents’ Council, Volunteers & Parent Guild, Community Speaker Series, and Booster Club Support.

LEADERSHIP & OPERATIONS: Budget management, leadership team collaboration, and direct supervision of the Development team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

STRATEGIC PHILANTHROPY: Establish, execute, and evaluate forward-thinking development strategies to optimally grow annual, major, and capital campaigns, as well as planned giving initiatives.

CAMPAIGN & EVENT OVERSIGHT: Oversee all development operations, ensuring high-impact execution of fundraising programs, corporate/foundation sponsorships, and flagship community events (e.g., Celebrate MCDS Gala, Grandparents Day, Community Speaker Series, and the annual Yahara Society reception).

CULTURE OF GIVING: Identify, research, and implement diverse fundraising programs that support the school’s strategic vision, cultivating a deep culture of gratitude and giving across all constituencies and socioeconomic strata.

COLLABORATIVE MARKETING: Partner closely with the Enrollment & Marketing Office to produce cohesive, well-branded communication materials that expand school visibility and elevate its philanthropic reputation.

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT: Identify corporate and foundation funding opportunities and spearhead any resulting partnership, sponsorship, or grant initiatives.

CONSTITUENT RELATIONS: Broaden and deepen lifelong relationships with the school's alumni network, grandparent community, and parent volunteers to strengthen engagement and programming.

MAJOR GIFT SOLICITATION: Personally cultivate and solicit major donors. Strategically prepare and accompany the Head of School, leadership staff, and trustees for high-level donor visits and solicitations.

DATA & SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT: Maintain a rigorous contributor database, establishing benchmarks to track relationship-building touchpoints, and deliver comprehensive development reports as required.

FINANCIAL & TEAM LEADERSHIP: Establish clear fundraising objectives and manage the development budget. Lead and empower the Development staff (including the full-time Development Office Manager, Development Events/Social Media Manager, and part-time Photographer/Events Assistant).

Other Duties

Serve as an active, contributing member of the MCDS Leadership Team.

Attend the general portion of the MCDS Board of Trustees meetings.

Represent the school and maintain a visible presence at occasional evening and weekend community events.

Accept other strategic duties and projects as assigned by the Head of School.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree preferred
• 5+ years of fundraising and development experience (non-profit sector preferred)
• Independent school experience and/or educational foundation preferred

About Madison Country Day School

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - ABOUT MCDS Madison Country Day School is Dane County’s only independent Pre-K–12 school, offering a challenging and comprehensive college?preparatory education, including the Madison, Wisconsin area’s only International Baccalaureate program. In an environment where each community member is truly known, MCDS students develop a deep knowledge base and life-long critical and creative thinking skills. At MCDS we are looking for energetic, flexible, and open-minded colleagues; motivated by new opportunities and challenges. We are seeking colleagues who are passionate about and committed to the mission and vision of Madison County Day School and able to demonstrate the values and traits of the International Baccalaureate Programmes and Learner Profile. Madison Country Day School’s vision is for all members of the school community to feel valued and supported as well as inspired to embrace the diversity of each person. MCDS respects, affirms, and protects the dignity and worth of each member of its community. We seek to establish a culture wherein every member feels safe, valued, and encouraged to participate in every aspect of the community. M...CDS embraces and celebrates diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, or sexual identity in its hiring. Madison Country Day School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the School will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. MCDS does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, gender, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, hiring and employment practices, admission policies, scholarship and grant programs, or athletic and other school-administered programs.

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