Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Relations (1-year position)

Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Shady Hill School is seeking an Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Relations for a 1-year position starting July 2025. The role involves managing donor relationships, developing fundraising strategies, and working closely with the Advancement team to enhance the culture of philanthropy within the school community.

Benefits

Medical, dental and vision insurance

School-matched retirement plan

Paid time off

Qualifications

• 8-10 years of development/fundraising experience.
• Successful track record of soliciting gifts.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage and cultivate a portfolio of 25-50 major gift prospects.
• Develop and implement annual giving plans.
• Work closely with the Advancement team and represent at events.

Skills

Relationship Building

Fundraising

Communication

Organizational Skills

Analytical Skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

Raiser’s Edge

Job description

Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Relations (1-year position)

About Shady Hill School:
Since 1915, Shady Hill, a school of approximately 530 students (PreK – Grade 8) and 90+ faculty, has been a leader in progressive education. Shady Hill is a deeply mission-driven school. We seek to develop independent, joyful and curious learners who respect their own accomplishments and those of others. We strive to be a community whose values are strong and whose teachers are unafraid to engage students in important questions. The school’s program allows children to explore their worlds and test their powers. As a school with a historical and contemporary commitment to social justice, we believe that an inclusive and equitable community is an educational and moral imperative that empowers us all. Therefore, we seek to hire individuals who demonstrate a mindset and skill set that prioritizes cultural competence, equity, and justice in their practice with students and in their work with colleagues.

About the position: The Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Relations is responsible for the management of the Shady Hill Fund and building donor relationships. The Assistant Director is a critical member of the Advancement team, maximizing the effectiveness of donor research and discovery and building constituent relationships and stewardship through Major Giving strategies. This is an exempt (salaried), full-time, in-person position beginning in July 2025, reporting to the Director of Development and Alumni Relations. This is a 1-year position ending in summer 2026, but there may be a possibility of remaining beyond 1 year, depending on other department staffing.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Personally manage, cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of 25-50 major gift prospects
• Develop and implement a comprehensive annual giving plan including direct mail appeals, emails, and other communications
• Strategically leverage mid-level giving
• Identify, cultivate and solicit donors for 4- and 5- figure annual gifts as well as for other strategic fundraising priorities that take shape each year
• Recruit, cultivate and manage all volunteer fundraising groups including parents, alumni, and grandparents
• Work closely with the Director of Development, Head of School, and other school partners to further the Advancement Program
• Represent the Advancement Office at fundraising and community events during nights and weekends
• Plan small cultivation events as necessary
• Work to enhance the culture of philanthropy throughout the organization
• Other duties as assigned

This position requires travel approximately 5% of the time, locally and nationally.

Required Qualifications:

• A minimum of 8-10 years development/fundraising experience, ideally in annual giving, major gifts, or alumni relations
• Ability to build strong relationships with faculty, staff, parents and alumni throughout the community
• Successful track record of soliciting gifts
• Proven experience growing the donor base of an organization
• Detail oriented
• Passion for education and Shady Hill’s mission and a willingness to actively participate in the community
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills; demonstrated ability to conceptualize and describe funding needs in a way that is compelling to donors and prospects
• Strong work ethic; ability to lead by example and work effectively in a small environment while maintaining confidentiality
• Excellent administrative, analytical, organizational, and time management skills
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
• Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft office, Raiser’s Edge, and web-based applications

How to apply: Please send a pdf including a cover letter and resume to: [e-mail] . Please be sure to include “Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Relations” in the subject line of the email.

Shady Hill offers competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance plans, a school-matched retirement plan and paid time off. Shady Hill is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Employees must be authorized to work in the USA. For more information on Shady Hill please visit us at www.shs.org .

Shady Hill School

Cambridge, MA

Learning Stage(s): Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School