Director of Development and Alumni Relations

Overview of Woodland School

Located just west of Stanford University, Woodland School is an independent day school that offers a joyful approach to learning in a diverse, respectful, and inclusive environment for approximately 300 students in early childhood through eighth grade. Woodland is a small school with a big heart.

Woodland School specializes in education that inspires students by nurturing each individual’s voice, intellect, and character. With an emphasis on inquiry-based and student-centered learning, children are empowered and encouraged to be active and engaged learners. Our students’ innate sense of wonder is the foundation of learning at Woodland School.

Woodland School’s faculty create a school environment that is as supportive and nurturing as it is challenging, and they embody the core values of the school—integrity, curiosity, resilience, equity, respect, and stewardship. The teachers are themselves learners, constantly searching for ways to improve their practice. A robust professional development program supports the faculty by connecting them to the best practices in pedagogy, curriculum development, educational technology, and student assessment.

Woodland School is seeking a highly motivated Director of Development and Alumni Relations. The Director will join the school as Woodland begins a new chapter in its 45 year history and will have an opportunity to create and implement various strategic initiatives for the school.

The Director of Development and Alumni Relations reports to the Head of School and collaborates with the entire leadership team including the Director of Finance, Director of Communications, and the Director of Admissions. The Director of Development and Alumni Relations is responsible for recurring fundraising campaigns including the Annual Fund, gala, major gifts, special events, grants, and communication. The Director works in close collaboration with the Campaign Director, a fixed-term role overseeing a four-year campaign to form an inaugural endowment for Woodland.

In addition, the Director plans and executes the vision and strategy of Woodland School related to alumni engagement to enhance loyalty, dedication, and support for the School. The job is accomplished through the individual’s own direct efforts as well as effectively leveraging the skills and volunteer contributions of Woodland parents and alumni, Board of Trustees, and staff.

• Reports directly to the Head of School, is a member of the Leadership Team, and participates on the Board of Trustees’ Advancement Committee
• Collaboratively designs, implements, and oversees a comprehensive fundraising program designed to secure significant financial resources from trustees, parents, alumni, foundations and others to support Woodland School’s mission and strategic priorities
• Oversees all recurring fundraising efforts and programs, including Annual Fund, special fundraising events, major donor programs, grants, capital campaigns, planned giving, donor prospecting and research, and office administrationto meet or exceed annual development plan income goals
• Leads and coordinates the efforts in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors
• Guides and supports the Head of School in fundraising activities
• Presents to the Board of Trustees and Head of School an annual development plan for achieving specific goals
• Oversees all aspects of the grant‑writing program
• Attends and participates in a variety of fundraising, stewardship, community‑building, and other campus events throughout the year in order to stay informed and updated on school activities
• Collaborates with the Board of Trustees to reach fundraising goals, to engage the Board in…