Director of Development & Communications

Edison High School; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Edison High School is seeking a Director of Development & Communications to lead annual fundraising and manage the school’s communications strategy. The role focuses on donor engagement, capital campaigns, and building relationships with families, alumni, and community partners.

As part of the Leadership team, you will design multi-channel outreach, oversee donor recognition, manage budgets, and coordinate with the President and Board to advance Edison’s advancement priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred.
• Minimum five years in fundraising or communications with a track record of success.
• Experience with donor databases and donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual fund and major gift fundraising efforts, including donor identification, relationship management, personalized outreach, and gift solicitation.
• Build relationships with donors across parents, alumni, grandparents, and friends through personal visits, events, and ongoing engagement.
• Develop and execute strategies for annual fund and campaign giving, including direct mail, digital fundraising, and online giving initiatives.
• Oversee timely and meaningful donor recognition and stewardship for annual fund, endowment, and campaign supporters, ensuring donors receive appropriate communication and acknowledgment.
• Support and help advance the capital campaign in collaboration with the President, Special Assistant to the President, and the Board Campaign Committee.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective and current campaign donors.
• Oversee Planned Giving, Bright Minds Partnership, and President’s Club giving programs.
• Oversee the Development and Communications Coordinator’s research of prospective grant funders and collaborate on the development and submission of targeted grant proposals.
• Partner with special events team in the planning and production of the annual Brilliance Benefit.
• Design, implement, and manage an effective Alumni Relations program.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with alumni, current and former parents, grandparents, donors, and friends of Edison.
• Attend and actively participate in school gatherings to develop donor relationships.
• Grow Edison’s participation in the Association of Learning Differences Schools.

Skills

Communication

Relationship building

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Detail oriented

Initiative

Team player

Fundraising knowledge

Donor engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Job description

EDISON HIGH SCHOOL

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNICATIONS

JOB SUMMARY:

As part of the Leadership team, the Director of Development & Communications will focus on the smooth operation of annual fundraising and communications for Edison High School. The brand of the Development and Communications Office is upbeat, positive, and reflects the Board and President’s objectives for the School. This position and its successful candidate will mirror that brand. The Director of Development and Communications will have a remarkable opportunity to build upon a record-breaking fundraising year and contribute to a defining moment in Edison’s history through the capital campaign.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

Annual Fund and Major Gift Fundraising:

• Lead annual fund and major gift fundraising efforts, including donor identification, relationship management, personalized outreach, and gift solicitation.
• Build and strengthen relationships with current, lapsed, and prospective donors—including parents, alumni, grandparents, and friends of Edison—through personal visits, events, and ongoing engagement.
• Develop and execute strategies for annual fund and campaign giving, including direct mail, digital fundraising, and online giving initiatives.
• Oversee timely and meaningful donor recognition and stewardship for annual fund, endowment, and campaign supporters, ensuring donors receive appropriate communication and acknowledgment.

Capital Campaign and Advancement Initiatives:

• Support and help advance the capital campaign in collaboration with the President, Special Assistant to the President, and the Board Campaign Committee.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective and current campaign donors.
• Oversee Planned Giving, Bright Minds Partnership, and President’s Club giving programs.
• Oversee the Development and Communications Coordinator’s research of prospective grant funders and collaborate on the development and submission of targeted grant proposals.
• Partner with special events team in the planning and production of the annual Brilliance Benefit.

Alumni and Community Relations:

• Design, implement, and manage an effective Alumni Relations program.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with alumni, current and former parents, grandparents, donors, and friends of Edison.
• Attend and actively participate in school gatherings, including Open House, Back to School Night, parent picnics, and other community events, to develop and strengthen relationships with donors and families.
• Grow Edison’s participation in the Association of Learning Differences Schools.

Communications and Marketing:

• Work with outside consultants and manage outside vendors to review current plans, strategies and initiatives.
• In alignment with the strategic plan, develop and implement a comprehensive, multi-channel communications and marketing strategy.
• Oversee and implement cohesive communications strategy for current and prospective families.
• Manage and execute all external and major internal communications.
• Manage media relations and oversee crisis communications.
• Oversee the Development and Communications Coordinator in ensuring advancement objectives are effectively represented across the school’s website, social media channels, publications, and campaign communications.

Budget and Development Management:

• Develop and oversee fundraising and communications budgets.
• Provide strategic direction and oversight for fundraising and communications activities and initiatives.
• Lead and coordinate the Development and Communications Coordinator’s efforts, in collaboration with members of the school community, to ensure alignment of development and communications priorities and objectives.

Other Duties as Assigned:

• Collaborate with the President, Special Assistant to the President, Development and Communications Coordinator, special events team, and other school leaders to advance Edison’s fundraising, communications, and community engagement objectives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS and MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in fundraising, communications, or a related field, with a demonstrated track record of success.
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge or other donor database systems preferred.
• Experience with donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and relationship management required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Essential Attributes:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to quickly establish, cultivate, and maintain meaningful relationships on behalf of Edison.
• Positive, outgoing, and professional demeanor.
• Strong attention to detail and exceptional organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and proactively manage multiple priorities and projects.
• Collaborative team player with a positive attitude and a commitment to the mission and values of Edison.
• Understanding of fundraising and sales principles, with the confidence and willingness to regularly engage with donors and prospects outside of the office.
• Ability to represent Edison professionally and effectively with donors, families, alumni, community members, and other constituents.

Certificates and Clearances:

• Criminal Justice Fingerprint and Background Clearance.

Reporting:

• This position reports to the Principal of Edison High School.
• This is a full-time, onsite position, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
• Regular travel throughout the local community for donor and constituent visits is expected.
• Occasional evening and weekend work is required for school events, donor meetings, and fundraising activities.
• Professional business attire is required.
• Edison offers a comprehensive benefits package.
• Salary range:$90,000-$100,000 contingent on experience.