Development & Communications Manager

Development & Communications Manager

The Development & Communications Manager leads City Garden Montessori School's annual fund, donor communications, fundraising events, stewardship activities, and development operations. This position ensures that fundraising campaigns are executed effectively, donors receive meaningful engagement throughout the year, and City Garden's impact is communicated consistently and compellingly.

The Development & Communications Manager serves as the operational and communications engine of the advancement department.

Reports To: Director of Development

Key Responsibilities

Annual Fund Management

• Plan and execute annual fund campaigns, including fall, year-end, spring, and Day of Giving appeals.
• Manage campaign calendars, timelines, and project execution.
• Coordinate donor segmentation and targeted outreach strategies.
• Monitor fundraising performance and recommend adjustments.

Communications and Storytelling

• Develop and manage an annual communications calendar.
• Create donor communications including appeals, newsletters, impact reports, stewardship materials, and campaign messaging.
• Gather stories, photos, and program highlights from across the school.
• Manage the school's social media and website.
• Maintain consistency in fundraising messaging and donor communications.

Events

• Manage logistics and communications for fundraising and donor engagement events, including the Fall Affair, Day of Giving, and other events.
• Coordinate cultivation gatherings, donor visits, and stewardship events.
• Track follow-up activities and outcomes.

Donor Stewardship and Engagement

• Coordinate stewardship activities and donor recognition programs.
• Support donor cultivation events and volunteer engagement opportunities.
• Ensure timely and meaningful donor acknowledgments.

Development Operations

• Maintain donor records and campaign tracking systems, in partnership with the Executive Assistant.
• Generate fundraising reports and donor lists.
• Support prospect research and donor pipeline management.
• Coordinate grant reporting and sponsorship fulfillment.

Success Measures

During the first year, success will include:

• Successful execution of all annual fund campaigns.
• Consistent communications calendar implementation.
• Timely donor stewardship and acknowledgment practices.
• Accurate fundraising reporting and campaign management.
• Increased donor retention and engagement.

Goals over the next four years will include:

• Partnering with the Director of Development to grow and strengthen City Garden's Annual Fund campaign (currently bringing in $960K in gross revenue).

Compensation

This position offers a salary range of $65,000-$75,000 and robust benefits including medical, dental, pension (vested after five years), school admission preference (discounted preschool and before/after care), and 21 days annually of Personal Time Off, in addition to federal holidays and school breaks.

This position will be on site, with the possibility of some work being performed remotely, upon agreement with supervisor.

About City Garden Montessori School

City Garden redefines education by centering children in an excellent, inclusive Montessori model that honors the humanity and potential of every learner. We nurture the whole child in partnership with families and cultivate a community where children and adults learn, grow, and build meaningful relationships. We envision a St. Louis strengthened by thriving children, connected families, and a reimagined community: where lifelong learning and equitable opportunity are the norm, relationships across difference are foundational, and young people grow as compassionate, critical thinkers who help shape a more just and inclusive future.

City Garden was founded in 1995 as a Montessori preschool. In the mid-2000s, as a response to the educational inequity that exists in St. Louis, preschool parents worked with the founders to open a charter public elementary school. City Garden's public charter school opened in the basement of a church in 2008 with 53 students, grades K-3. The school added a grade level each year until the school reached eighth grade and served 275 students, moving into the building at 1618 Tower Grove Avenue in 2012. In 2021, CGMS expanded its preschool and kindergarten program and in 2022, CGMS opened its new Elementary and Adolescent Center (EAEC), housing lower elementary (1st-3rd grade), upper elementary (4th-6th grade) and junior high (7th-8th grade) students. City Garden now serves 650 students in preschool through eighth grade across two buildings.

Recognition

• In 2018, City Garden was awarded a 10-year Charter renewal by the Missouri State Board of Education, instead of the typical 5-year renewal. Our charter will be up for renewal again in 2028.
• Guides (teachers) and leaders at City Garden have been recognized for their outstanding work educating and supporting students, including Charter School Teacher and Charter School Leader of the Year.
• City Garden was awarded the School of the Year by the Diverse Charter Schools Association in 2025.
• City Garden has been featured in multiple outlets, including in the Schools that Believe video series, the Bold by Choice podcast, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and The Century Foundation.

City Garden Montessori School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or military or veteran status in accordance with federal law. In addition, City Garden Montessori School complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which it maintains facilities. City Garden Montessori School also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable laws.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, communications, or marketing.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills.
• Strong project management and organizational abilities.
• Experience with CRM systems and donor databases.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Passion for educational equity and Montessori education.