Associate Director of Development

Open Position: Associate Director of Development

Direct Reports: N/A

Reporting To: Assistant Head of School for Advancement

FLSA Status: Exempt

When Needed: As soon as possible

FT/PT: Full-time (1.0 FTE)

On-site: Yes

Pay rate: $90000-$110000

Who Thrives at Bush

Are you a fundraising professional who thrives on big goals and meaningful impact The Bush School is currently executing an exciting capital campaign and we are looking for an Associate Director of Development to help lead the charge. This is a rare opportunity to play a central role in a transformational effort and one that will shape the future of the school and community for generations to come. If you bring strategic thinking a builders mindset and a genuine passion for connecting volunteers and donors to meaningful work we want to hear from you.

Who We Are

Founded in 1924 and located in Seattles Madison Valley neighborhood The Bush School is an independent school serving students from Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade. Bush offers a rich intellectually engaging program grounded in experiential learning designed to spark in students of diverse backgrounds and talents a passion for learning accomplishment and contribution to their communities. Our curriculum challenges students to think deeply and creatively preparing them to thrive in future endeavors while remaining rooted in the schools longstanding core values.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse community in which every individual can say I belong. We seek educators and staff who are passionate about their work highly skilled in their practice and who bring a wide range of perspectives and experiences to our community. We believe deeply in the role education and diverse learning environments play in advancing equity inclusion and a shared sense of responsibility for one another.

The Associate Director of Development advances the mission of The Bush School by planning organizing and implementing strategies that deepen personal engagement and inspire philanthropic support from current and former Bush families alumni and friends. This role places a strong emphasis on securing and stewarding major gifts including leadership of capital campaign operations.

Reporting to the Assistant Head of School for Advancement (AHOSA) the Associate Director works collaboratively with the Development and Communications teams to drive a relationship-centered fundraising strategy. This position plays a key leadership role in strengthening a culture of philanthropy and gratitude across the Bush community.

• Lead the strategy structure and execution of the major gifts program including cultivation solicitation and stewardship of high-capacity donors

• Manage operations of the capital campaign ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and campaign milestones

• Identify qualify and develop a pipeline of leadership gift prospects; collaborate with the Assistant Head of School for Advancement on solicitation strategies and timelines

• Manage a portfolio of annual and major gift prospects building meaningful relationships through in-person engagement and personalized communication

• Oversee planning and execution of fundraising initiatives and events that support major giving and campaign goals

• Collaborate with team members to produce timely and accurate endowment and development reports

• Partner with Alumni Relations to design and implement a cohesive alumni giving strategy including senior class engagement and education

• Partner with the Director of Marketing and Communications to develop compelling mission-aligned solicitation messaging across digital print and direct-mail platforms

• Ensure consistent strategic communication with all constituencies to enhance engagement and giving participation

• Maintain a high level of data integrity and ensure timely and accurate reporting on fundraising results trends and projections

• Collaborate with the Assistant Head of School for Advancement to monitor progress toward goals and inform strategic decision-making

• Lead and continuously refine the schools stewardship program to ensure donors are meaningfully recognized and engaged

• Oversee production of Gratitude (the annual report of giving)

• Ensure timely professional follow-up with donors and stakeholders

• Serve as an active and visible ambassador for The Bush School fostering a culture of philanthropy inclusion and appreciation

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Advancement Office and school priorities

• Bachelors degree

• Minimum 3 years of experience in development fundraising or advancement preferably including capital campaign experience

• Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising and relationship management

• Knowledge of fundraising principles ethics and best practices

• Experience with donor databases and fundraising systems (Raisers Edge preferred) including data segmentation and reporting

• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines

• Excellent interpersonal communication and presentation skills

• Experience leading capital campaigns

• Experience in an independent school nonprofit or educational setting

Additional Requirements:

• Have a current Adult and Children CPR First Aid and AED Certification (or receive one soon after hire date)

• Meet the schools standards when completing two separate background screenings

• Stamina: Ability to stand and walk for extended periods manage long days and support body with core muscles.

• Fine Motor Skills: Using hands to grasp move or assemble small objects (e.g. papers writing).

• Sensory: Clear hearing to distinguish sounds and vision to see differences in color shade brightness.

• Ability to sit and keyboard for up to 8 hours per day & lift up to 30 pounds (file boxes).

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants interested in applying for this opportunity should visit our website at and navigate to the employment section of the website (found under the About Bush tab) for additional information/instructions.

If you are interested in working at The Bush School but this position doesnt fit your talents please visit our website for additional openings: .

While we sincerely appreciate all applications only those candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

The Bush School is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment recruitment admission or administration of any of its programs on the basis of race color creed religion sexual orientation national or ethnic origin disability gender gender identity gender expression or genetic addition The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment based on the basis of age or marital status.

*This position requires applicants to be at the time of application legally authorized to work in the United States. The Bush School does not offer visa sponsorship for this position and will not consider applicants who require visa sponsorship.