Assistant Director of Development

Acord (association For Cooperative Operations Research And Development); Bellevue (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading non-profit organization is seeking an Assistant Director of Development to support their advancement goals through giving campaigns and community engagement. This full-time role involves event planning, alumni relations, and cultivating donor relationships, contributing to a vibrant school culture dedicated to educational excellence.

Benefits

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Flexible spending account (FSA)

Retirement savings plan with employer match

Paid time off and family leave

Professional development opportunities

50% tuition remission

Qualifications

• 3-5+ years of experience in relevant professional experience, preferably in a school or nonprofit setting.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; comfortable engaging with a range of constituents.
• Proactive and collaborative team player with the ability to work independently and take initiative.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and execution of annual giving campaigns.
• Lead logistics for development-related and community-facing events.
• Collaborate with alumni and donors for engagements and programming.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Project management

Communication

Social media engagement

Education

Relevant professional experience in a school or nonprofit setting

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Salesforce

Job description

WHO WE ARE

At Forest Ridge, our intentional approach to excellence in education inspires students to explore intellectually, spiritually and personally as they embrace challenge, feed their curiosity, build their confidence and prepare for a lifelong pursuit of much more than just success, but a life of meaning.

Our dynamic and challenging academic environment is filled with immersive, experiential learning opportunities, designed to help students discover their own sense of purpose. Our students learn to regard the world both intellectually and spiritually, blending faith with logic, combining thoughtful reflection with energetic debate, and focusing on both individual wellbeing and the good of the global community.

Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, an independent school for girls in grades 5-12, welcomes students, adults and families into an inclusive global learning environment which respects and strives for diversity, openness, understanding and acceptance of all human beings.

As a member of a global network of more than 150 schools, our educational mission is deeply rooted in the 200-year tradition of the Society of the Sacred Heart and shared with the Network of Sacred Heart Schools located in 30 countries; including 25 schools in the United States and Canada. The essence of this tradition is the total development of each child: spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional and physical.

THE ROLE

Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart seeks a thoughtful, motivated, and detail-oriented Assistant Director of Development to support the school’s advancement goals through annual giving campaigns, alumni engagement, and signature fundraising events. This position is a key member of the Advancement Office and works closely with the Director of Development and Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Community Engagement to strengthen philanthropic support and deepen community connections.

The Assistant Director of Development plays a hands-on role in planning and executing the school’s annual fund efforts, managing event logistics for community-facing experiences like the Auction Gala, and helping to engage a vibrant network of alumni through communication, social media, and outreach efforts.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Annual Fund Support:

• Assist in the planning and execution of Forest Ridge’s annual giving campaign, including direct mail, email, and social media appeals.
• Manage a portfolio of donors and prospects, providing regular outreach, stewardship, and personalized communication.
• Work with volunteer leaders, including the Development Committee and Parent Fund Ambassadors, to inspire community-wide participation.
• Track campaign performance and donor activity using Raiser’s Edge or similar CRM tools; maintain accurate donor records and reporting.

Event Planning & Execution:

• Lead logistics for development-related and community-facing events, including the Auction Gala, donor receptions, Grandparents’ Day, and parent engagement gatherings.
• Design experiences that foster connection and deepen a sense of community across parents, alumni, faculty/staff, and donors.
• Coordinate timelines, vendor communications, day-of execution, volunteer involvement, and post-event follow-up.
• Partner with the Marketing & Communications team to support event promotion, storytelling, and photo/video content.
• Help build a culture of philanthropy and belonging through creative engagement initiatives and personalized outreach.

Alumni Relations Support:

• Collaborate with the Director of Development and and Assistant Director of Alumni Relations & Community Engagement on alumni communications, programming, and engagement strategy.
• Support alumni outreach through email campaigns, event coordination, and digital engagement.
• Help manage alumni-focused content on LinkedIn and Instagram, including planning, posting, and community interaction.
• Assist with alumni volunteer coordination, class rep communication, and reunion support.

Community Engagement & Stewardship:

• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and volunteers to cultivate a warm, inclusive school culture through intentional engagement touchpoints.
• Coordinate stewardship activities such as donor appreciation events, handwritten notes, and personalized recognition moments.
• Partner with school leadership and the admissions team to ensure consistency in tone, message, and experience for current families and supporters.
• Develop new ways to engage and celebrate parents, alumni, and donors in school life — both online and in person.

Education and Experience:

• 3-5+ years of experience in relevant professional experience, preferably in a school or nonprofit setting.

Skills and Attributes:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; comfortable engaging with a range of constituents, including parents, alumni, and donors.
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities with keen attention to detail.
• Proactive and collaborative team player with the ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Experience with fundraising databases (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, etc.) is preferred.
• Familiarity with social media platforms (particularly Instagram and LinkedIn) for alumni engagement.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• A passion for education, community engagement, and storytelling.

Additional Information:

• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required for school events.
• This position is full-time and based on-site at Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart.

SALARY/BENEFITS

Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding employees through a competitive compensation and benefits package to benefits-eligible employees. Benefits include: medical/dental/vision insurance (based on FTE); flexible spending account (FSA); employee assistance program (EAP); retirement savings plan with employer match after 1 year of employment; paid time off for sick, personal, bereavement, jury/witness duty; vacation time off for staff; family leave; life and disability insurance; professional development opportunities; 50% tuition remission.

The salary range for this position is $65,000-$80,000, based on education and experience.

TO APPLY

Qualified applicants should email the following documents to [e-mail] :

• Cover letter
• Updated CV/Resume

Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart does not discriminate in its employment decisions or practices on the basis of gender, age, race, color, marital status, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation or any disability that can be reasonably accommodated in the administration of its educational policies and school-administered programs.