Director of Development

Director of Development

This is a full-time, exempt position; Monday - Friday (8:00 am - 4:00 pm).

This is an especially exciting time to join Marin Montessori School, a highly regarded Bay Area independent school accredited by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS). For over 60 years, we have served the families of Marin County, providing a rich and authentic Montessori education that nurtures the development of the whole child; intellectually, physically, socially, creatively, and emotionally.

Located on a stunning waterfront campus, our children enjoy expansive indoor and outdoor learning experiences year-round. Our sunlit classrooms and vibrant outdoor environments foster curiosity and independence. We are a collaborative and joyful community of educators, students, families, and administrators, all aligned in our mission: to guide children in becoming independent, responsible, and compassionate individuals who think critically and understand their role in the world.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Community Relations & Philanthropy, the Director of Development executes the strategy of the Marin Montessori School Annual Fund and serves as a central driver of community engagement, communications, and campaign operations. This role oversees all aspects of the development database, gift processing, stewardship, and financial reconciliation in close partnership with the business office, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and strong donor relationships.

In collaboration with the Senior Director, the Director of Development plays a key leadership role in planning and executing The Gather for Good, the school's flagship fundraising and community event, including volunteer recruitment, communications, and event logistics. The role also supports a highly engaged parent and volunteer community across both campuses by providing structure, guidance, and thoughtful partnership.

This position is pivotal to the success of the development and community engagement program and requires strong communication, design, and project management skills to support annual and capital campaigns, steward relationships, and advance the school's philanthropic culture. The Director of Development works closely with senior leadership, faculty, and volunteers to align fundraising efforts with the school's mission and long-term strategic priorities.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop in partnership with the Senior Director the strategy and drive the overall management of the MMS Annual Fund.
• Design, write, and produce development-related communications, including the annual report, fundraising publications, The Gather for Good materials, and weekly email communications throughout fundraising campaigns.
• Assist in the development and execution of MMS's flagship event, "The Gather for Good"
• Manage parent, grandparent, and crew volunteers related to the Annual Fund and The Gather
• Supervise the database consultant, "APTE", who is responsible for:
  • Managing the stewardship process in Ravenna, including data gift processing, donor acknowledgment, tax letters, for the Annual Fund, The Gather, and other fundraising activities.
  • Liaising with the business office for periodic and annual financial reconciliation and ensuring accurate accounting code mapping in Ravenna.
  • Developing effective reports for updating Board Members, Campaigns, Funds, Donation Forms, and Thank You Emails,
• Help develop and execute programming for current parents, alumni, alumni parents, grandparents, and friends. Facilitate Grandparent & Special Friend programming, Annual Fund outreach, Party Books, and serve on committees as needed.
• Form a collaborative partnership with the Head of School, Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives, Director of Operations, Director of Admissions, and Level Directors
• Develop strong working relationships with faculty, administrators, Parents' Association, and volunteers.

Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Related professional experience in an independent school or non-profit organization, managing fundraising campaigns.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to plan and execute a strong communications strategy.
• Strong design sensibility and attention to detail in developing clear, engaging materials
• Proven project management and organizational skills to execute complex initiatives from concept through completion.
• High emotional intelligence and a nuanced approach to volunteer engagement and partnership
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, and in utilizing fundraising database software.

Preferred Experience, Qualifications, and Attributes:

The successful candidate will be a highly organized, compelling communicator and detail-oriented professional with excellent time management skills. The Director of Development must be a highly responsive and responsible person who represents the values and mission of our MMS community.

Other necessary attributes include the following:

• An outstanding connector: the ability to listen well, understand, support, and build strong relationships with donors, parents, employees, alumni, grandparents, volunteers, and trustees.
• A learner: willing to gain knowledge and skills as needed in order to develop the most robust and effective fundraising strategy.
• Self-starter: the ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage competing demands and pressures.
• Internal locus of control: an optimistic, growth-mindset attitude, with the maturity to take personal responsibility for his/her/their happiness and create change (internal and external) when needed.
• Flexibility and warmth, along with a high degree of professionalism and a strong work ethic.
• A collaborative work style with the ability to maintain an identity of his/her/their own.
• Rock-solid integrity and a finely tuned moral compass.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills.
• Management skills that empower and promote others while ensuring a high degree of accountability and a positive working environment.
• Enthusiasm for MMS's professional expectations: direct and kind communication, appreciation, accountability, and assumption of good intentions.

Other Requirements:

• Must pass the LiveScan fingerprint testing through the Department of Justice
• Must have a clean and valid California Driver's License
• Must have a minimum of 3 years direct experience, 5 years preferred
• Advanced degree preferred

Marin Montessori School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of age, ancestry, color, religious creed, denial of Family and Medical Care Leave, disability (mental and physical), marital, familial or parental status, medical condition, genetic information, military and Veteran status, national origin (including language use restrictions), race, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), gender, gender identity, and gender expression, political affiliation, or sexual orientation.