Department: Development
Reports to: Head of School
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Start Date: When filled
All UCDS employees are expected to embody the school’s mission to design a culture of inquiry essential to meaningful learning; cultivate reflective, collaborative, skillful thinkers who ignite positive change in their communities; and engage diverse perspectives in an ongoing effort to shape and share our innovative education model.
Overview
University Child Development School (UCDS) located in Seattle, Washington is an independent school serving 390+ Infant/Toddler, Early Elementary (Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten) and Elementary (1st through 5th grade) students. In addition, the UCDS education institution comprises the UCDS Graduate School of Education. UCDS uniquely serves to prepare teachers, educate children, and develop innovations in curriculum and teaching. UCDS’s unique design as a place where both teachers and children learn, where early-career teachers develop their practice, and where experienced teachers research and design curriculum, gives rise to its innovation. The Master of Education program is the evolution of UCDS’ deep history of developing and supporting exceptional educators.
The Opportunity
The Director of Development and Community Engagement at UCDS will lead all aspects of the Development Office, overseeing fundraising, alum relations, and volunteer coordination to support the school’s mission and values. This role is central to building a culture of philanthropy. Reporting directly to the Head of School and working closely with the Board of Trustees, the Director will build strategic and data-driven approaches to foster UCDS’s financial health, establish long-term donor relationships, and build community connections.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Strategic Fundraising and Campaign Leadership:
- Build and design a giving landscape in alignment with the UCDS strategic plan
- Design and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies that align with UCDS’s goals.
- Lead capital campaign effort with a deep understanding to address UCDS’s space constraints.
- Build data-informed strategies to effectively engage and steward donors at all levels, while continually assessing the effectiveness of fundraising efforts.
- Donor Engagement and Relationship Management:
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with major donors and community stakeholders, including corporate and foundation partnerships, to strengthen support for UCDS.
- Develop and execute strategic donor cultivation plans that support both immediate and long-term giving, while focusing on expanding the donor base and re-engaging recurring donors.
- Collaboration and Communications:
- Partner with admissions, marketing, and communications to create and deliver compelling messaging around UCDS’s mission and help align key messages with UCDS’s broader development goals.
- Data-Driven Development Management:
- Utilize CRM and Veracross system with data insights to manage donor relations, report on contributed income, and adjust strategies based on data-driven outcomes.
- Leverage a data mindset to monitor and optimize development activities, ensuring alignment with financial objectives and maximizing donor impact.
- Leadership and People Management:
- Supervise the Development team, fostering a collaborative and growth-focused work environment.
- Engage and coordinate with cross-functional teams to maximize volunteer efforts and develop community-building initiatives that resonate with the UCDS mission.
Minimum Qualifications
- Education and Experience: At least 5 years of experience in development, with a focus on capital campaigns and community-centric initiatives. Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred.
- Strategic and Analytical Skills: Strong strategic mindset with experience in using data to inform fundraising plans, donor engagement, and campaign feasibility.
- People Management and Collaboration: Proven experience leading teams, working with senior leadership, and effectively engaging donors and community members.
- Communication and Donor Relations: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to develop donor engagement strategies.
- Commitment to DEI: Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with the ability to apply these principles to all development activities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Innovative Development Methods: Knowledge of, and willingness to, implement new, creative, and engaging methods for fundraising.
- Capital Campaign Expertise: Direct experience in managing and implementing successful capital campaigns.
- Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with donor management software and ability to analyze financial and engagement reports.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $100,000-130,000 depending on degree/experience.
The school offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package to benefits-eligible employees subject to the discretion of the Head of School, which includes:
- Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Health Savings Account with employer contribution
- Flexible Spending Account
- 403(b) Retirement Plan with available employer matching
- Paid sick leave
- Employer-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Employer-paid Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program for employees and their dependents
- Wellness benefit is to be used on items or services that promote wellness
- Professional Development opportunities
- Free parking
How to Apply
If you are interested in applying for this position, click the “Apply Now” button to submit a resume and a detailed cover letter addressing interest in this position and qualifications.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
UCDS aspires to be a welcoming learning community with a deep commitment and appreciation for diversity in all forms. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are central values at UCDS. From our youngest to our oldest students, we strive to help them develop a worldview that identifies, understands, and values diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, and more. We weave opportunities for these meaningful conversations, experiences, and learning throughout students’ days. Over the past few years, UCDS has continued to refine our approach and review our DEIB programming to continue to improve the ways we support students, parents, and employees by bringing an equity lens to academic and operational systems across the school.
We encourage members of marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, as well as members of other underrepresented groups, to apply and potentially become a part of our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive educational environment.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement
UCDS is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. We will provide reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job unless doing so would cause an undue hardship. Physical requirements and job duties listed in this posting are essential to the role. If you believe you need an accommodation to perform these functions, we encourage you to apply and discuss potential accommodations with our team.
If you require accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact Lauryn Mascareñaz, Director of Organizational Development & Personnel at laurynm@ucds.org.
Notice of Nondiscrimination
UCDS strives to provide equal opportunity to all employees. The school’s policy is not to discriminate in employment based on race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, creed, age, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran or military status or any other status protected under applicable local, state or federal law. The School is committed to administering employment decisions, including hiring, promotions, compensation benefits, transfers, layoffs, return from layoffs, terminations, training, sabbaticals, tuition assistance, and other programs, without regard to an employee’s protected status.
All applicants for UCDS employment, both paid and volunteer positions, are subject to criminal background checks.