Assistant Director of Development

Assistant Director of Development

The Walker School Marietta, GA

The Walker School is seeking a dynamic, relationship-driven fundraising professional to serve as its next Assistant Director of Development. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic and mission-aligned leader to help shape a culture of philanthropy within a vibrant independent school community. If you are energized by building meaningful relationships, advancing mission-driven work, and making a lasting impact through philanthropy, this role offers the opportunity to do just that.

As a key partner to the Assistant Head of School for Advancement, the Assistant Director of Development will play a central role in designing and executing a comprehensive development strategy. This position will help grow philanthropic support while strengthening engagement across parents, alumni, and friends of the school. This is a highly visible role for a professional who thrives at the intersection of strategy and relationship-building and who is passionate about independent school education and nonprofit impact.

Advance Fundraising Strategy

• Lead and support integrated annual giving strategies to increase participation and dollars raised
• Manage and grow a portfolio of leadership annual fund and major gift prospects
• Conduct personalized outreach and face-to-face donor engagement
• Help expand leadership giving and donor retention

Drive Donor Engagement and Stewardship

• Build authentic, lasting relationships with parents, alumni, grandparents, and friends
• Design and execute meaningful stewardship strategies that demonstrate impact
• Identify and cultivate new major gift prospects
• Partner on moves management to advance donors through the giving pipeline

Lead Programs and Initiatives

• Oversee implementation of the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program
• Educate donors on tax credit opportunities and manage scholarship coordination
• Support volunteer engagement, including parent and leadership volunteers

Plan Events and Strengthen Community

• Assist in the execution of donor events, cultivation gatherings, and recognition experiences
• Represent the school at key advancement and community events

Support Operations and Data Strategy

• Maintain accurate donor records and track engagement activity
• Monitor fundraising progress and provide reporting insights
• Partner with leadership and the Board on donor strategy, communications, and presentations

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of progressive development experience, preferably in an independent school or nonprofit setting
• Proven success in securing major gifts and achieving fundraising goals
• A strategic mindset with a strong, donor-centered approach
• Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills that inspire action
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Comfort with data, donor systems, and digital tools
• A collaborative spirit and a deep appreciation for mission-driven work

Why Walker

At Walker, relationships are at the heart of everything we do. Our mission to inspire transformative learning is made possible through a community that believes in meaningful connections, academic excellence, and opportunity. This role offers the chance to make a direct impact on students and families through philanthropic support, work alongside a collaborative and forward-thinking leadership team, and help shape the future of a thriving independent school community.

Ready to Make an Impact

If you are a development professional who thrives in a relationship-centered environment and is passionate about advancing education through philanthropy, we invite you to apply.