Director of Development Position Available In Walton, Georgia

Director of Development George Walton Academy – 4.0

Monroe, GA Job Details Full-time Estimated:

$85.7K – $107K a year 1 day ago Qualifications School experience Management Master’s degree Bachelor’s degree Team management Fundraising 1 year Senior level Leadership Communication skills Full Job Description Director of Development George Walton Academy (GWA) provides challenging instruction, engaging experiences, and global perspectives designed to inspire lives of intellectual curiosity, integrity, and purpose. GWA is an independent, Pre-K-12, independent, college-preparatory school located on 62 beautiful acres in Monroe, Georgia, less than one hour from the state capitol of Atlanta.

FLSA Status:

Exempt, full-time and 12 months Reports to:

GWA Head of School Job Description:

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Director of Development to lead our fundraising and development efforts. The Director of Development is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing comprehensive fundraising strategies to support the school’s mission and ensure its long-term sustainability. The Director of Development plays a crucial role in building relationships with donors, alumni, parents, students, and community members to secure financial support for our programs, initiatives, and capital projects.

Responsibilities:

Build relationships throughout the school community and its donors, learn the culture, and maintain an understanding of programs in order to be a lead spokesperson for the school’s mission, identity, vision, and strategic priorities, both on campus and in the community. Initiate, develop, and oversee fundraising strategies and plans, including donor engagement, recognition, and stewardship. Identify, cultivate, and steward relationships with major donors, corporations, foundations, and other potential funding sources. Maintain a calendar of funding opportunities and write for grants during appropriate grant cycles. Oversee the planning and execution of fundraising campaigns supporting the Annual Loyalty Fund, Capital Campaigns, Corporate Partnerships, Lucky Dawg Gala, and the Bulldog Fund. Promote a culture of philanthropy through education, cultivation, and solicitation of past and current families, alumnae/i families, grandparents, and friends of the school. Collaborate with the school’s leadership team to create compelling cases for support and funding proposals. Coordinate with College Counseling Office to establish and maintain a strong alumni relations program, including alumni engagement initiatives and fundraising activities. Plan and oversee donor cultivation events such as our annual top donor party. Manage a portfolio of major donors and personally solicit contributions. Build and maintain a robust donor database, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records of donor interactions and contributions. Partner closely and collaboratively with the communications team to ensure development messaging aligns with institutional priorities, as well as brand fidelity, including the creation of regular content for publications, social media, newsletters, solicitation letters,, and development office communication. Create and manage an annual calendar of development activities in coordination with Advancement Office and Head of School that aligns with the school’s development plan. Provide funding reports to Board of Trustees and the yearly Annual Loyalty Fund report published in the Bulldog Magazine. Develop and monitor budgets, financial forecasts, and performance metrics. Stay informed about current trends and best practices in fundraising, philanthropy, and independent school advancement. Actively participate in the life of school and complete other duties as assigned by the Head of School.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Master’s degree preferred). Proven track record of success in fundraising, donor relations, or a related field, preferably within the education or non-profit sector. Strong knowledge of fundraising strategies, techniques, and best practices. Demonstrated ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and corporate partners. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to articulate the school’s mission and impact to diverse audiences. Experience in planning and executing fundraising campaigns and special events. Proficiency in using fundraising software and donor management systems, specifically DonorPerfect and OneCause. Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire a team towards achieving ambitious fundraising goals. High level of integrity, professionalism, and discretion in handling confidential donor information. Ability to work evenings and weekends if necessary.

Assessment:

Performance of this job will be assessed annually.

Salary :

Commensurate with work experience and skills.

Deadline for applications:

June 13, 2025

Start Date :

Immediately