Director of Development

Director of Development Richmond Waldorf School (RWS) seeks candidates for the position of Director of Development . About Richmond Waldorf School Richmond Waldorf School was founded in 1996 with a passion for providing children a holistic education that falls in alignment with their natural human development through hands‑on, nature‑rich, and play‑based experiences. We are dedicated to providing a learning environment that cultivates creative thinking, genuine inquiry, and a love of learning. RWS has grown from a single Kindergarten classroom to a campus that serves 200 students from Pre‑K through 8th grade. Our specialty program includes Movement Arts, French, Mandarin, Biking, Handwork, Music and Strings, Woodwork, Visual Arts, and Latin. Richmond Waldorf School is fully accredited by SAIS (Southern Association of Independent Schools), a member of WECAN (Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America), and is a Candidate School of AWSNA (Association of Waldorf Schools of North America). We have a College, Board of Trustees, and Parents Association that help ensure support for the health of the school. Our school is located on a beautiful, urban campus in the Northside of Richmond, Virginia in close proximity to Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Richmond, and only a few hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains, Washington, DC, and the coastal beaches of Virginia and North Carolina. Richmond is a rapidly growing city with amazing restaurants, a thriving art and music scene, and a plethora of outdoor parks and walking trails. The James River winds its way through the heart of the city, offering four seasons of adventure and beauty. To read more about our school, please go to our website at Position Responsibilities Summary: The Director of Development executes on the school’s fundraising initiatives, grant applications and awards, and alum relations. In partnership with other administrative team members, coordinate communication plans and school events. This position will work closely with other members of the Development Committee. This position reports directly to the Executive Director. Essential Functions: Fundraising Strategically plans and executes a Fundraising plan for the fiscal year alongside the Development Committee. This includes but is not limited to: the Annual Fund, fundraising events, Holiday Faire & vendors, May Faire, Gala, Silent Auction, event sponsorships, and donor stewardship. Manages the creation and disbursement of the Annual Report, September of each year. Create and distribute both mailed and emailed fundraising campaign outreach. Gather and track progress towards fundraising goals. Advertise fundraising progress to the school community – including goals and progress towards those goals. This includes writing communications, posting on social media, personal communication with top donors, etc. Track amount raised, % participation and class rewards earned - and provide updates periodically to the school community. Send thank you notes to donors. Prepare and share tax deduction receipts with all donors. Follow up on pledges not received throughout the spring. In the near future, work closely with the Executive Director on a capital campaign Grants Maintain reporting requirements for all awarded grants. Apply for grants that support the school’s long‑range plans. Communication Coordinates and executes on community wide communications strategy for the fiscal year. This includes: weekly Messenger communication, gathering clear and concise information from all realms of the school to share with parents, social media (Facebook, Instagram), external communication for events, campaigns, etc., the Annual Report, and assisting in any one off communications throughout the year relevant to the school’s development efforts, keeping them in line with weekly information shared. Creates content for all social media accounts for the school, posting periodically, as it pertains to fundraising and other development associated content Alum Relations Build upon current alum relationship efforts. Coordinate new efforts in consultation with the High School Transition Coordinator and the Executive Director. School Events Co‑coordinates with the Development Committee and Parents Association the project management of school events to be sure communication and expectations are clear, and the needs of our community are met throughout these gatherings. Acts as a liaison along with the Development Committee for the Parents Association, guiding in event planning, volunteerism and alignment of PA happenings with the larger community calendar. General Submit internal and external reports in a timely manner. Partner with outside contractors and organizations for website development and other content creation. Maintains positive relationships with parents and responds to all parent concerns Maintains positive, professional relationships with colleagues and responds to all collegial concerns Engages in on‑going professional and personal growth Fulfills other duties, as assigned, relative to the job responsibilities Competencies: Ability to empower and delegate tasks to staff, contractors and volunteers, as appropriate Ability to direct and report in clearly on all development workstreams Focused analytical skills with an anticipatory mindset Ability to balance multiple demands in ways that are well organized Ability to demonstrate genuine appreciation and respect for all school community members Ability to manage difficult situations with confidentiality and sensitivity Excellent human relationship skills with children and adults Positive, professional relationships with colleagues Positive, professional relationships with parents and volunteers Clear and timely communication with parents and colleagues Excellent oral and written communication skills Experience Required: Bachelor’s degree within relevant fields including business administration, communications, non‑profit studies, education, social sciences, or a related field 3 years experience working in a development management or coordinator position Fundraising experience in a school setting Preferred: 5+ years experience working in a development management, coordinator or director position Understanding of and/or willingness to learn about Waldorf education Communication experience in a school setting Marketing experience in a school setting Experience working in a collaborative environment Physical Demands While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing. The employee must frequently lift and/or move items up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Compensation and Benefits This is a 40 hour per week position. The salary rate for this regular, full‑time, exempt position is $53,000 to $65,000 per year, depending on exact experience and qualifications. This is a 12‑month school year position beginning on or around July 1, 2026. RWS offers the following benefits to full‑time staff: Health, Dental and Vision insurance Retirement plan with employer contribution Life insurance Short‑and Long‑Term Disability insurance 80 hours Paid Time Off (PTO) per fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) Paid Holidays & School Breaks (~30 days; subject to finalized school schedule each year) 90% Tuition remission for dependent child/ren enrolled at RWS Free Aftercare for dependent children during scheduled work hours (children must also be enrolled in a school program.) To apply Interested applicants should complete the application and submit their resume and cover letter HERE. Priority consideration will be given to candidates that apply by June 30, 2026; the position will remain open until filled. #J-18808-Ljbffr Richmond Waldorf School