Director of Development for the Campus School

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at [email protected].

Job Description

Job Summary

At the lab school of Smith College, hands-on learning sparks intellectual engagement, research findings inform modern methods, and transformative relationships enrich masterful teaching. We are a progressive Kindergarten through sixth grade elementary school located in the heart of Northampton, MA. 

As part of the Campus School Administrative team, the Director of Development and Alumni Relations will be working alongside the dedicated faculty and staff of the Campus School, as well as being considered a member of the staff at Smith College. Smith is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country, and part of the Five College Consortium including the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst College, Mount Holyoke College and Hampshire College. 

The Director of Development and Alumni Relations is responsible for the entirety of the advancement operations at Campus School. This position involves continuing to build an annual fund program to attract and maintain gifts to the Campus School from current families, alumni, past families, current and former staff members, grandparents, and friends of the school. Designing appeals, communicating effectively with our wide range of constituents, and creating opportunities for individuals and/or foundations to make gifts to the annual fund, to support capital projects, to help fund special appeals, and through planned giving are important components of this role.

The Director also works closely with the Parent Partnership, serving as their primary liaison with the school. In addition to setting agendas and meeting monthly with the leadership of the Parent Partnership to strategize and plan, the Director manages traditional school community events such as the Welcome Reception, the Fall Fair, Movie/Game Night, the Spring Soirée, Field Day, and the End-of-School Picnic is an important part of this aspect of the job.

As we approach our Centennial in 2026-27, the Director will continue to develop and execute a strategic approach to Alumni Relations, continuing to build our alumni database with contact information and then communicating to this important constituency and reconnecting them with the school. The Director will also research, identify, and solicit key donor prospects in coordination with the Head of School and the Smith College Alumni Relations and Development Office. Increasing and empowering the Centennial Committee in the coming months will help to shape the celebration of our 100th anniversary and raise more money in support of the school.

The Director will oversee processing of all gifts, including receipts, and maintaining all giving records. Thanking and stewarding donors with personalized follow up notes, email messages, and in the case of higher potential donors, visits is critical to the success of this position. An additional responsibility will be to occasionally write grant proposals, often in collaboration with the college, to generate funds for special projects and events.

Essential Functions

Fundraising (60%)

• Building an annual fund program to attract and maintain gifts to the Campus School from current families, alumni, past families, current and former staff members, grandparents, and friends of the school

• Designing appeals, communicating effectively with our wide range of constituents, and creating opportunities for individuals and/or foundations to make gifts to the annual fund, to support capital projects, to help fund special appeals, and through planned giving

• Research, identify and solicit key donor prospects in coordinator with the Head of School and the Smith College Alumni Relations and Development office

• Oversee processing of all gifts, including receipts and records; thanking and stewarding donors with personalized follow up notes and visits where appropriate

• Write and oversee grant proposals

Parent and Alumni engagement (30%)

• Create strategic approach to alumni relations, building alumni database with contact information and maintaining communications with alumni to reconnect them with the school

• Works closely with the Parent Partnership, serving as their primary liaison with the school; including setting agendas and meeting monthly with Parent Partnership leadership to strategize and plan

• Manages traditional school community events such as the Welcome Reception, the Fall Fair, Movie/Game Night, the Spring Soirée, Field Day, and the End-of-School Picnic

Support School Wide and Department of Education and Child Study Mission (10%)

• Attend faculty/staff meetings,

• Plan and implement all school gatherings, and attend school events

• Participate in school wide professional development programs/activities

• Serve on a standing committee

• Engage actively in school and campus-wide activity around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.

• Cooperate and consult with Smith College faculty and students who utilize the Campus School for observations, pre-practicum and practicum experiences, fellowships, class projects and research

• Other related responsibilities may be assigned by the Campus School administration, which could include assisting at arrival and dismissal, covering classes, collaborative work on accreditation self-studies.

MINIMUM REQUIRED Qualifications (education, experience, certifications, licenses, knowledge, skills)

Bachelor’s degree, 8 years of general fundraising experience, and 2+ years of experience building and maintaining a Development program, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge of fundraising and alumni/ae cultivation at an independent school or college.

Knowledge of trends in fundraising and familiarity with development software and databases

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills; excellent oral and written communication skills; must be well organized, self-motivated, collaborative, and creative; and the ability to bridge the operations of the Campus School and college’s development office.

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About Smith College

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts.  A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at [email protected].

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of  equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty.  The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.