Job description

Anticipated hiring: Immediate

Westminster School, one of the leading independent boarding schools in the country, is a diverse, close-knit community of 95 faculty, 70 staff, and 430 male and female students (seventy-five percent boarding, twenty-five percent day students) set on a 200-acre campus in Simsbury, Connecticut. Since its founding in 1888, Westminster School has been committed to the core values of community, character, balance, and involvement. Our motto describes our community – “virtute et numine” – by Grit & Grace.

General Summary

Westminster School has an exciting opportunity in its Advancement department for a Director of Family Engagement and Giving. This position is responsible for the management and execution of Westminster’s Parent and Family programs, including careful stewardship and management of the Parents Committee, which is designed to strengthen parent involvement with, and financial support of, Westminster School. The Director will coordinate family communications (to include current and past parents and grandparents) and be an active team member in planning parent and family-focused events. The Director will be responsible for the cultivation and solicitation of a portfolio of leadership gift prospects with the aim of securing both outright gifts and pledges.

The Director of Family Engagement and Giving reports to the Director of Advancement Operations and also serves as a member of the leadership gifts team. This on-site position interacts with volunteers, administrators, faculty, staff, students and parents.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Volunteer Management: Lead and manage a robust Parents Committee, devising strategies and plans to identify, engage, manage and steward volunteer families in their work to engage the larger Westminster parent body. Coordinate agendas and help to determine and execute goals for the group. Recruit, lead and manage a Sixth Form Gift committee each year to determine a project and see it through to fruition, including developing communication plans, solicitation strategies, volunteer assignments, and related stewardship. Work closely with ex-officio members of the Board of Trustees including the Parents Committee Co-Chairs, and Parents of Alumni Chair.
• Parent and Family Engagement: In coordination with the Director of Advancement Programs and Events, lead and manage parent and family-focused events that support the annual and long-range goals of the Advancement Office, including Parents and Family weekends, Grandparents Day, stewardship events and other family engagement or school events, both locally and nationally. Serve as an informal ambassador for the Admissions Office, helping to welcome new families to the school community.
• Prospect Management and Solicitation: Cultivate and solicit a portfolio of leadership gift prospects with the aim of securing outright and deferred gift commitments for annual and capital support. Work collaboratively with the Director of Annual Giving to meet yearly financial and participation goals for parent annual giving. Prepare and present, as needed, reports and statistics articulating the goals and results of Westminster’s Parent Programs. Seek, share and document relevant information about past and current parents and their ability and interest in supporting Westminster philanthropically.
• Parent Communications: Collaborate with the Marketing & Communications team to develop relevant materials and external content for social media and the school website. Create and manage communications (print and online) including programs, announcements, correspondence, appeals and solicitation scripts, volunteer handbooks and related materials. Maintain a working knowledge of campus news as well as parent and family engagement trends.
• Other: Be a proactive member of the school community, attending athletic and artistic events, and presentations. Attend regional receptions and campus events to meet parents and donors. Support other fundraising, stewardship and community building events. Occasional public speaking.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field required.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience and demonstrated personal success in relevant aspects of fundraising, parent relations, marketing and communications, special events, and constituent relations. Volunteer management and independent school experience preferred.
• Excellent technology skills. Proficient in working with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, Canva, and Social Media. Experience working with Raiser’s Edge NXT or similar CRM is preferred.
• Strong results orientation and highly collaborative style.
• Excellent presentation and oral communication skills.
• Capacity to think creatively and strategically.
• Interest in independent school education and a dedication to promoting the School’s fundraising priorities by developing positive and respectful relationships with faculty, senior administrative leaders, trustees, parents, alumni and the advancement office team.
• Must have excellent written and interpersonal skills, reflect an optimistic and positive attitude and have a demonstrated record of completing assignments.
• Cooperate and work together with all school leaders and colleagues; plan and complete job duties with minimal supervision.
• Ability to prioritize and effectively manage diverse tasks, multitasking in a fast-paced sometimes stressful environment.
• Perform tasks which are supportive in nature to the essential functions of the job, which may be altered or redesigned as necessary.
• Must possess good judgment, tact, sensitivity, and discretion in the handling of confidential information, materials and situations.
• Must be detail oriented, thorough and accurate.
• Display the highest ethical and professional behavior.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to offer practical solutions and participate in problem resolution.
• Analytical skills necessary to conduct complex and detailed analysis.
• Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule, including occasional nights and weekends, and limited domestic travel.
• Must be positive and get along with visitors, vendors, students, and colleagues.

To Apply

Salary is competitive and the employment package consists of excellent benefits, including outstanding health care coverage and retirement plan. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to the Director of Human Resources, Pamela Daly, at pdaly@westminster-school.org.

Westminster School is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from candidates of color. Westminster School reaffirms its long-standing nondiscriminatory policy and employs individuals of any race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available at Westminster. Westminster does not discriminate in its hiring, educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, or athletic and other school-administered programs.

Job Type: Full-time

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

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