Associate Director of ; opens window​/tab

Associate Director of Advancement

Position Type:
Full Time

Education Level: 4 Year Degree

Salary Range: $ - $ Salary/year

Position Type:
Full-time, exempt

Job Shift: Day

Education Level: 4 Year Degree

Travel Percentage:
Occasional for events

Category:
Education

The Calhoun School is seeking an Associate Director of Advancement for the 2026 - 2027 school year. Reporting to the Director of Advancement, the Associate Director of Advancement is a new position designed to accelerate growth in annual giving and alumni engagement, and support an ambitious major gifts strategy. The successful candidate will be a highly relational, creative and goal-oriented professional capable of serving as a warm and articulate ambassador of Calhoun’s progressive mission.

This role will supervise a small team of advancement staff, providing day-to-day direction, guidance, and support to ensure the effective execution of the advancement office's mission and goals.

At Calhoun, we value Curiosity, Kindness, and Excellence. This position is essential in ensuring that every constituent—from families newly joining our community to longtime donors attending a signature event—feels seen, heard, and valued within our joyful community.

• Partner with the Director of Advancement to design and execute the school’s Annual Fund strategy, including an annual Giving Day
• Manage day-to-day operations of The Calhoun Annual Fund (CAF) including timelines, appeals, and stewardship
• Coordinate and implement multi-channel solicitations (email, direct mail, digital)
• Recruit, train, and support parent, alumni, grandparent and other volunteers, tracking volunteer lists and updates
• Lead CAF volunteer meetings
• Solicit a portfolio of leadership ($2,500+) donors
• Recommend major gift prospects to the Director of Advancement
• Create and run regular reports tracking fundraising progress, lapsed donors, etc.

• Partner with the Admissions and Advancement Coordinate to prepare prospect briefings for the Head of School, Director of Advancement and Trustees prior to all Advancement Events
• Recommend engagement strategies for event guests
• Attend and actively engage with guests at all Advancement Events
• Serve as the lead on the Calhoun Benefit, recruiting and coordinating volunteers, identifying and soliciting auction and raffle donations, designing a marketing and communications strategy

• Oversee the major gifts pipeline document, ensuring that prospects are tracked, volunteer assignments are kept up to date and fundraising totals are accurate
• Prepare reports for Head of School, Director of Advancement, Board of Trustees
• Partner with the Advancement Communications and Operations Manager to ensure timely pledge agreements are processed and entered into Raiser’s Edge
• Maintain the pledge payment calendar and send pledge payment reminders
• Support the Admissions and Advancement Coordinator in prospect research and preparing briefings for solicitors
• Partner with the Director of Advancement on major gift communications and marketing efforts

• Partner with Advancement colleagues to design and execute a comprehensive alumni relations program, including a calendar of events and volunteer engagement
• Identify, cultivate and solicit alumni leadership donors for The Calhoun Annual Fund, and recommend alumni major gift prospects to the Director of Advancement
• Partner with the Dean of Diversity, Equity and Belonging to support the Alumni of Color Network (ACN), attending ACN meetings as requested and supporting the ACN calendar of events

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Calhoun reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary.

Calhoun is committed to addressing issues of social justice, diversity, equity, and anti-bias education in our curriculum and in our community. Teachers must be willing learners and participants in supporting this work.

Calhoun is committed to recruiting, hiring and supporting a diverse staff and welcomes applicants of all gender, sexuality, religious, ethnic, racial and cultural identities. Calhoun does not unlawfully discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of one’s actual or perceived race; color; religion; sex/gender (including gender identity); creed; sexual orientation; marital status; pregnancy; ethnicity; national origin, ancestry, age, and disability.

• 5+ years of experience in fundraising, not limited to independent schools
• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree in related field preferred
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Ability to work across multiple teams
• Familiar with RENXT or other advancement databases