Director of Development

Saint Thomas' Episcopal School; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Saint Thomas' Episcopal School in Houston, Texas seeks a seasoned Director of Development to lead all fundraising and community advancement. Reporting to the Headmaster, you will architect the philanthropic program and build lasting relationships with donors and partners.

You will design annual plans, manage major gifts, and oversee events and data systems to support STE’s mission and Episcopal identity in a thriving PK-12 setting.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of progressive fundraising experience in independent schools or nonprofits.
• Proven success in closing major gifts and managing campaigns.
• Strong relationship-building and confidential donor stewardship.
• Highly organized with proficiency in donor databases and office software.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute an annual development plan including annual fund, major gifts, and capital campaigns.
• Identify, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major donors and institutional partners.
• Oversee events, volunteer engagement, and data integrity across donor systems.
• Collaborate with Headmaster and School Board Advancement Committee to advance STE's priorities.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Communications

Data management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

CFRE preferred

Tools

Veracross

Job description

About St. Thomas' Episcopal School (STE)

Founded in 1955 and located in Houston, Texas, Saint Thomas' Episcopal School (STE) is athriving PK-12 parochial school that combines academic rigor with a strong commitment tocharacter formation. STE is recognized nationally for its distinctive integration of classicaleducation, the Scottish Arts, and Episcopal identity. With an enrollment of 650 students, theschool cultivates an intimate yet ambitious learning environment where high standards,tradition, and joyful community life flourish together.

At STE, six enduring core values-Honor, Christian Faith, Love, Discipline, Excellence, andRespect-form the foundation of daily life. All students and faculty attend a traditional daily chapel service, relying on the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. Sacred studies are part of therequired curriculum. Students learn not only in classrooms but also through rich opportunitiesin athletics, fine arts, and STE's world-renowned Scottish Arts Program (Highland Dance,Bagpipes, and Drums), which has achieved multiple national and world championships.

The Opportunity

STE is seeking an experienced Director of Development to lead all fundraising and community advancement initiatives. Reporting directly to the Headmaster, you will serve as the strategicarchitect

of our philanthropic enterprise, building lasting relationships, securing major gifts, leading capital funding efforts, and deepening connection across our community.

What You'll Do

• Drive Strategic Growth: Design and execute an annual development plan encompassing the annual fund, major gifts, a future capital campaign, planned giving, foundation grants, and corporate sponsorships.
• Cultivate Major Donors: Identify, solicit, and steward a portfolio of at least 75 individuals, foundations, and institutional partners to advance STE's strategic priorities. Oversee the moves management system for the entire major donor program in close partnership with the Headmaster and Advancement Committee of the School Board.
• Lead Operations: Supervise two staff members in the Development Office, ensuring excellence in special events, volunteer engagement, and accurate data related to donors and partners using Veracross, Google Suite, and other systems. Work closely with the church on its stewardship program.
• Engage Alumni & Community: Cultivate strong community engagement; oversee key community-building events like the Fall Fair, Spaghetti Supper, and alumni-oriented events.

What You Bring

Track Record: 5+ years of progressive fundraising experience, ideally within independent schools or faith-based nonprofits.

Fundraising Mastery: Proven success in closing major gifts, managing campaigns, and running individual giving programs.

Relationship Builder: Exceptional communicator who connects warmth with executive presence, maintains absolute confidentiality, and inspires donor trust.

Technical & Organizational Skills: Highly organized self-starter proficient in donor databases (Veracross or similar).

Mission Alignment: Enthusiastic appreciation for Episcopal identity, classical education, and STE's distinctive culture as a leading Christian school in Houston.

Education & Availability: Bachelor's degree required, with strong preference for relevant graduate-level work or formal fundraising-related credentials (e.g. CFRE); willingness to work flexible evening/weekend hours for donor cultivation and campus events.

Education / Certification

Masters degree preferred, as well as CFRE or similar credentials

Experience Required

Minimum of 5 years related work experience in independentschool or nonprofit fundraising environment

Required Knowledge

Proficiency in MS Office and Veracross or similar donor or schooldatabase system

Classification

Exempt

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation is highly competitive, dependent uponexperience and degree obtained.