Sunstone Montessori School is a medium sized non-profit serving two campuses-in Woodstock and Milwaukie. We are looking for a Development Manager to join our Administrative team. Sunstone is a great place to work and offers great benefits too.
This position manages all of our fundraising. We aim to raise ~$150,000-200,000/year through direct appeal (Annual Fund starting in the fall), True Tuition, and our annual Gala in the spring. In addition, this position manages a few annual social events for families.
Grant writing as needed for various projects.
This position works closely with the entire Administrative team and supports the classrooms, and other needs as they arise. This is a team effort!
Please send your resume to the Head of School, Cathy Elliott at celliott@sunstonemontessori.org
The following is the current job description:
The Development Manager is accountable for the overall Development of Sunstone Montessori School. The ability to work independently as well as with others are two of the many essential functions of this position.
This position reports to the Head of School as part of the Administration team and shares responsibility with all staff members for creating a culture of accountability and for taking ownership of the results we achieve as an educational institution. This is a full-time position that includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the following responsibilities:
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Annual Gala and Auction: As Sunstone’s largest fundraising activity of the year, the Development Manager is responsible for all aspects of this event’s success. They will work closely with an auction committee to plan this event. They will create a budget, income projections, planning timelines, procure auction items, coordinate data entry, acquire sponsors, oversee day-of logistics, recruit and train event volunteers and perform post-event reconciliations and acknowledgements.
- Events: Coordinate with Admin Team, Food Program Director and Maintenance Manager: Help to keep a census of commonly used community supplies: chairs, tables, event dishes, tablecloths etc., have items clean, stored, and ready for use at special events. For events, get RSVPs for adults and children, make name tags, sign in sheets, order food, set up food, wash dishes and clean up.
- Fall Festival, and other social events (graduation help, if needed)
- Help, if needed with Silent Journey, State of the School and other parent events
- Fully run the annual Gala Auction
- Refreshments and hospitality for Open Houses, Info Sessions, Wine & Cheese Reception, Board Dinners, and other advancement events.
Annual Fund: The Development Manager will develop a plan with the Head of School to set goals, recruit parent leaders and create materials that lead to a successful annual fund in terms of both dollars raised and participation. Additional annual fund activities may include creating opportunities for stewardship of supporters, building out the database, and connecting with past donors.
Data and Donor Relations: Manage all aspects of gift processing including entering all donations and pledges into the database (Little Green Light), creating and updating gift and pledge acknowledgement letters, planning the annual major donor appreciation event, and coordinating donor stewardship activities.
- Grants: Research and apply for grants based on the needs of the school.
Individual Giving: Connect with parents, board members and past donors to strengthen relationships with Sunstone creating opportunities to build the school’s major gifts program. Determining the content and depth of database information and building a compelling case of support will be vital to success. In consultation with the Head of School, this is a chance to expand individual asks and build a sustainable fundraising future for Sunstone.
- Administrative Team: As part of Sunstone’s leadership team, the Development Manager is expected to be one of the most visible members of the staff. Responsibilities that come along with being part of this team include being present at morning drop-off Monday-Friday. This is a great way to integrate into the school community as well as build relationships. Additionally, this position participates in the school’s process of creating, implementing and refining its emergency plan and other school policies. Finally, as a representative of Sunstone in the community, the Development Manager is expected to promote school awareness.
- Be available to give breaks or step in for classroom staff.
- Support all tasks performed by Admin as needed.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Experience planning and successful execution of live and silent auctions that serve as both a fundraiser and a community-building friend-raiser.
Annual fund experience includes direct mail, online giving, social media, phone-a-thons, volunteer management, alumni campaigns, and other giving strategies.
A successful track record building relationships with donors, parents, staff, and board members and asking for gifts.
Manage database, ensure data entry accuracy and monthly financial reconciliations with Finance Department.
- Develop and implement a fundraising plan that supports Sunstone’s long-range plan.
Work with board committees, prepare monthly development reports, attend monthly board meetings, and develop a culture of philanthropy within the school.
Assist and support staff in planning school-based events such as Back to School Night, State of the School, Fall Festival, Grandparents’ Day, Wine and Cheese Night and others.
Successful grant writing experience.
- The ability to work independently and with others.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
Track record of successful event management – preferably 2+ years running an auction.
- 3+ years of annual fund campaign experience, preferably in a school setting.
- 3+ years of managing volunteers, preferably in a school setting.
Experience and success with individual tasks and an understanding of MOVES Management.
- Ability to excel as the sole overseer of fundraising activities in a small shop environment.
Interest and enthusiasm for engaging with and empowering the work of volunteers in fundraising activities.
Ability to think critically, strategically, and creatively as a member of the Sunstone Community.
- Belief in the value of early childhood education and the Montessori Method.
GENERAL BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
- Support children’s independent functioning whenever possible.
- Maintain a friendly, professional, but objective distance in relationships with the children, and a professional relationship with staff and the Administration.
- Be punctual and present at work during agreed-upon work hours.
- Maintain required professional qualifications, including:
- Current CPR/1st Aid certification
- Current Food Handlers certification
- Current registration in the Criminal History Registry
- Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (RRCAN) training
- Intro to Child Care Health and Safety (ICCHS) training
- Prevention is Better than Treatment
- Any required hours of professional development
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or otherwise communicate, hear and observe the children and employees and their surroundings.
- The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit; use hands and feet; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
- The employee must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
- Specific vision requirements include the ability to see at close range.
- Strong, focused mental acuity is required to efficiently analyze, process, manipulate and accurately record the extensive amount of data and other information that serves as the basis for this position's primary duties.
- Emotional fortitude and ability to regulate emotions and maintain appropriate reactions and responses to emergencies and non-emergency situations that may arise in the workplace.
- Patient and calm demeanor to provide a nurturing learning and working environment.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of the position successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities to assist them in performing the essential functions of their positions. Please contact the Head of School if you need accommodation.
This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. It is intended as a general guide of the duties and tasks we may ask you to perform as part of your employment with us. It is by no means an exhaustive list of all your duties or responsibilities with us. Job descriptions are a dynamic living document that changes as business needs change. We may elect to clarify, change, or even add to this job description and your list of assigned duties in the future. We operate as a team at Sunstone Montessori School, and sometimes you may be asked to perform tasks that you may have observed others doing. Performing all tasks you may be asked or assigned to do is an important part of being a team member.