Position Summary
The Director of Development serves as our chief philanthropy officer and is a senior leadership position responsible for designing and leading a comprehensive, sustainable philanthropic strategy that advances the mission and long-term vitality of St. Richard’s Episcopal School. Reporting directly to the Head of School and serving as a key member of the leadership team, the Director of Development provides strategic vision and execution for all fundraising, donor engagement, and advancement initiatives across the School, the St. Richard’s Episcopal School Foundation, and affiliated programs.
The Director of Development partners closely with the Head of School, the Board of Trustees, the St. Richard’s Episcopal School Foundation Board of Directors and key institutional partners to foster a culture of philanthropy, align fundraising priorities, and position the School for long-term growth, impact, and financial sustainability.
Scope of Responsibility The Director of Development has oversight of fundraising and advancement efforts for:
Richard’s Episcopal School (annual, major, planned, and campaign giving)
Richard’s Episcopal School Foundation, including endowment fundraising and stewardship
Capital and comprehensive campaigns, including planning, execution, and post-campaign stewardship
Horizon’s at St. Richard’s, in partnership with its Executive Director, development staff, and Board
Coordination of fundraising priorities and strategies with the School’s campus partner, Trinity Episcopal Church
Key Responsibilities Strategic Philanthropic Leadership
Develop and lead a multi-year, comprehensive philanthropy strategy aligned with the School’s mission and strategic plan.
Ensure alignment of fundraising priorities across the School, Foundation, Horizons and capital initiatives.
Serve as the school’s chief architect of fundraising strategy, including annual, major, planned, and campaign giving.
Provide regular analysis and reporting on philanthropic performance, trends, and opportunities.
Major, Principal and Campaign Giving
Personally manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects.
Partner with the Head of School, Board leadership, and key volunteers on high-level donor strategy, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
Lead campaign planning and execution, as applicable.
Board Partnership & Culture of Philanthropy
Serve as a strategic advisor to the Board of Trustees and the Foundation Board on philanthropy and advancement.
Support and partner with the Advancement Committee, Foundation Board and Horizons Board to strengthen board engagement in fundraising.
Champion a school-wide culture of philanthropy, ensuring that trustees, faculty, staff, families, alumni and friends understand and support philanthropic priorities.
Grants Strategy and Management
Develop and oversee a comprehensive grants strategy aligned with institutional priorities.
Identify, research, and pursue foundation, corporate, and government grant opportunities.
Oversee grant proposal development, submission, and stewardship.
Ensure appropriate administration, compliance, reporting, and tracking of grant awards in collaboration with program and finance staff.
Events Management
Provide strategic oversight of fundraising and stewardship events, including signature events, cultivation gatherings, and campaign-related activities.
Ensure events advance donor relationships, reinforce mission, and deliver a strong return on investment.
Collaborate with staff and volunteers to plan and execute events with excellence and efficiency.
Alumni and Constituent Engagement
Provide leadership for alumni relations and engagement strategies that strengthen lifelong relationships with the School.
Collaborate with colleagues to develop meaningful opportunities for alumni involvement, communication, and philanthropy.
Strategic Communications and Institutional Collaboration
Coordinate closely with Communications and Admissions to ensure consistent, compelling, and mission-aligned messaging across all audiences.
Align fundraising communications with enrollment, brand, and community engagement strategies.
Partner with institutional leaders to articulate the School’s value proposition and philanthropic priorities.
Team Leadership & Operations
Lead, mentor, and manage development staff and volunteers.
Oversee advancement systems, data integrity, and fundraising operations.
Ensure best practices, compliance, and ethical standards in all philanthropic activities.
Institutional Leadership
Collaborate with senior leaders in Admissions, Finance, and Communications to align institutional messaging and revenue strategies.
Serve as an ambassador for the school in the broader community.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
5–10+ years of progressive advancement or philanthropy leadership experience.
Proven success in major and principal gift fundraising and campaign leadership.
Experience partnering closely with boards and senior executives.
Strong strategic, analytical, and leadership skills.
Commitment to the mission and values of St. Richard’s Episcopal School, including diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
Exceptional communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
Visionary, relational, and mission-driven leader.
Trusted advisor with executive presence and sound judgment.
Collaborative, confident, and emotionally intelligent.
Deep appreciation for the role of philanthropy in sustaining mission-driven education.
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The Director of Development partners closely with the Head of School, the Board of Trustees, the St. Richard’s Episcopal School Foundation Board of Directors and key institutional partners to foster a culture of philanthropy, align fundraising priorities, and position the School for long-term growth, impact, and financial sustainability.
Scope of Responsibility The Director of Development has oversight of fundraising and advancement efforts for:
Richard’s Episcopal School (annual, major, planned, and campaign giving)
Richard’s Episcopal School Foundation, including endowment fundraising and stewardship
Capital and comprehensive campaigns, including planning, execution, and post-campaign stewardship
Horizon’s at St. Richard’s, in partnership with its Executive Director, development staff, and Board
Coordination of fundraising priorities and strategies with the School’s campus partner, Trinity Episcopal Church
Key Responsibilities Strategic Philanthropic Leadership
Develop and lead a multi-year, comprehensive philanthropy strategy aligned with the School’s mission and strategic plan.
Ensure alignment of fundraising priorities across the School, Foundation, Horizons and capital initiatives.
Serve as the school’s chief architect of fundraising strategy, including annual, major, planned, and campaign giving.
Provide regular analysis and reporting on philanthropic performance, trends, and opportunities.
Major, Principal and Campaign Giving
Personally manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects.
Partner with the Head of School, Board leadership, and key volunteers on high-level donor strategy, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
Lead campaign planning and execution, as applicable.
Board Partnership & Culture of Philanthropy
Serve as a strategic advisor to the Board of Trustees and the Foundation Board on philanthropy and advancement.
Support and partner with the Advancement Committee, Foundation Board and Horizons Board to strengthen board engagement in fundraising.
Champion a school-wide culture of philanthropy, ensuring that trustees, faculty, staff, families, alumni and friends understand and support philanthropic priorities.
Grants Strategy and Management
Develop and oversee a comprehensive grants strategy aligned with institutional priorities.
Identify, research, and pursue foundation, corporate, and government grant opportunities.
Oversee grant proposal development, submission, and stewardship.
Ensure appropriate administration, compliance, reporting, and tracking of grant awards in collaboration with program and finance staff.
Events Management
Provide strategic oversight of fundraising and stewardship events, including signature events, cultivation gatherings, and campaign-related activities.
Ensure events advance donor relationships, reinforce mission, and deliver a strong return on investment.
Collaborate with staff and volunteers to plan and execute events with excellence and efficiency.
Alumni and Constituent Engagement
Provide leadership for alumni relations and engagement strategies that strengthen lifelong relationships with the School.
Collaborate with colleagues to develop meaningful opportunities for alumni involvement, communication, and philanthropy.
Strategic Communications and Institutional Collaboration
Coordinate closely with Communications and Admissions to ensure consistent, compelling, and mission-aligned messaging across all audiences.
Align fundraising communications with enrollment, brand, and community engagement strategies.
Partner with institutional leaders to articulate the School’s value proposition and philanthropic priorities.
Team Leadership & Operations
Lead, mentor, and manage development staff and volunteers.
Oversee advancement systems, data integrity, and fundraising operations.
Ensure best practices, compliance, and ethical standards in all philanthropic activities.
Institutional Leadership
Collaborate with senior leaders in Admissions, Finance, and Communications to align institutional messaging and revenue strategies.
Serve as an ambassador for the school in the broader community.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
5–10+ years of progressive advancement or philanthropy leadership experience.
Proven success in major and principal gift fundraising and campaign leadership.
Experience partnering closely with boards and senior executives.
Strong strategic, analytical, and leadership skills.
Commitment to the mission and values of St. Richard’s Episcopal School, including diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
Exceptional communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
Visionary, relational, and mission-driven leader.
Trusted advisor with executive presence and sound judgment.
Collaborative, confident, and emotionally intelligent.
Deep appreciation for the role of philanthropy in sustaining mission-driven education.
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