Assistant Director of Development

THE ROLE:

Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart seeks a thoughtful, motivated, and detail-oriented Assistant Director of Development to support the school’s advancement goals through annual giving campaigns, alumni engagement, and signature fundraising events. This position is a key member of the Advancement Office and works closely with the Director of Development and Assistant Director of Alumni Relations to strengthen philanthropic support and deepen community connections.

The Assistant Director of Development plays a hands-on role in planning and executing the school’s annual fund efforts, managing event logistics for community-facing experiences like the Auction Gala, and helping to engage a vibrant network of alumni through communication, social media, and outreach efforts.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Annual Fund Support:

Assist in the planning and execution of Forest Ridge’s annual giving campaign, including direct mail, email, and social media appeals.
Manage a portfolio of donors and prospects, providing regular outreach, stewardship, and personalized communication.
Work with volunteer leaders, including the Development Committee and Parent Fund Ambassadors, to inspire community-wide participation.
Track campaign performance and donor activity using Raiser’s Edge or similar CRM tools; maintain accurate donor records and reporting.
Event Planning, Community Engagement & Execution:

Lead logistics for development-related and community-facing events, including the Auction Gala, donor receptions, Grandparents’ Day, and parent engagement gatherings.
Design experiences that foster connection and deepen a sense of community across parents, alumni, faculty/staff, and donors.
Coordinate timelines, vendor communications, day-of execution, volunteer involvement, and post-event follow-up.
Partner with the Marketing & Communications team to support event promotion, storytelling, and photo/video content.
Help build a culture of philanthropy and belonging through creative engagement initiatives and personalized outreach.
Alumni Relations Support:

Collaborate with the Director of Development and Assistant Director of Alumni Relations & Community Engagement on alumni communications, programming, and engagement strategy.
Support alumni outreach through email campaigns, event coordination, and digital engagement.
Help manage alumni-focused content on LinkedIn and Instagram, including planning, posting, and community interaction.
Assist with alumni volunteer coordination, class rep communication, and reunion support.
Community Engagement & Stewardship:

Collaborate with faculty, staff, and volunteers to cultivate a warm, inclusive school culture through intentional engagement touchpoints.
Coordinate stewardship activities such as donor appreciation events, handwritten notes, and personalized recognition moments.
Partner with school leadership and the admissions team to ensure consistency in tone, message, and experience for current families and supporters.
Develop new ways to engage and celebrate parents, alumni, and donors in school life — both online and in person.
QUALIFICATIONS:

A successful candidate for this position will meet the following requirements and qualifications:

3-5+ years of experience in relevant professional experience, preferably in a school or nonprofit setting.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills; comfortable engaging with a range of constituents, including parents, alumni, and donors.
Excellent organizational and project management abilities with keen attention to detail.
Proactive and collaborative team player with the ability to work independently and take initiative.
Experience with fundraising databases (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, etc.) is preferred.
Familiarity with social media platforms (particularly Instagram and LinkedIn) for alumni engagement.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
A passion for education, community engagement, and storytelling.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Occasional evening and weekend work may be required for school events.
This position is full-time and based on-site at Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart.
SALARY/BENEFITS: Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding employees through competitive compensation. Salary range(s) based on education and experience. Salary Range: $65,000-$80,000

Forest Ridge offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package to benefits-eligible employees. Benefits include: medical/dental/vision insurance (based on FTE); flexible spending account (FSA); employee assistance program (EAP); retirement savings plan with employer match after 1 year of employment; paid time off for sick, personal, bereavement, jury/witness duty; vacation time off for staff; family leave; life and disability insurance; professional development opportunities; 50% tuition remission.

TO APPLY:

Qualified applicants should email the following documents to careers@forestridge.org:

Cover letter
Updated CV/Resume