Director of Development

Please contact Anna Ramsey, Head of School, at aramsey, or Elizabeth Ferry, Assistant Head of School, at eferry, to learn more about the school, the position, and next steps. We're looking forward to hearing from you!

The Director of Development provides strategic leadership for Pacific Northern Academy’s comprehensive development program, fostering a strong culture of philanthropy to advance the school’s mission, vision, and strategic plan. Reporting to the Head of School and serving on the Senior Leadership Team, the DD leads fundraising efforts across all constituencies and gift types, builds a diversified funding base, and oversees a high-performing development team.

• Strategy, Planning, and Leadership
  • Develop and implement a strategic, multi-year development plan and annual budget aligned with PNA’s institutional priorities.
  • Establish and achieve short- and long-term (3–5 year) fundraising goals across constituencies, functional areas, and gift types.
  • Collaborate with senior leadership—including the Head of School, Business Manager, Enrollment Director, and Academic leaders—to align fundraising with strategic priorities.
• Fundraising and Donor Engagement
  • Lead a comprehensive development program including annual fund, major gifts, planned giving, grants, campaigns, and special events.
  • Identify, cultivate, solicit, secure, and steward gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations, with particular focus on major donors ($2,500+).
  • Develop and communicate a compelling case for support through effective solicitation materials, reports, and donor communications.
  • Represent PNA to donors, volunteers, and community groups to advance fundraising goals.
• Team Management and Operations
  • Supervise, mentor, and evaluate development staff to ensure departmental goals are met and high performance is recognized and retained.
  • Establish and maintain development policies and procedures; ensure compliance with GAAP, IRS, and applicable regulations.
  • Ensure accurate donor records, reporting, and data analysis through effective use of the school’s CRM system.
  • Partner with the Business Office to ensure timely reconciliation, reporting, and financial accuracy.
• Constituencies and Funding Areas
  • Constituencies:
    Parents, grandparents, alumni, trustees, employees, corporations, foundations
  • Functional Area
    
    s:
    Annual fund, major gifts, planned giving, grants, campaigns, events

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience; minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible fundraising experience preferred.
• Demonstrated success securing and stewarding individual major gifts.
• Strong knowledge of fundraising best practices, including donor research, portfolio management, and the major gifts cycle.
• Experience developing and managing budgets and work plans.
• Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Proficiency with Raiser’s Edge (or comparable CRM), Google Workspace, and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Passion for and ability to articulate PNA’s mission, vision, and strategic goals.
• CFRE and/or experience in academic fundraising preferred.