Director of Development & Community Engagement

Director of Development and Community Engagement

Exempt 1.0 FTE

Reports to:
Head of School

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.

The Director of Development and Community Engagement at UCDS will lead all aspects of the Development Office, including donor relations, frontline fundraising and major gifts, alumni relations, and volunteer coordination in support of the school’s mission and values. This role is central to building a strong culture of philanthropy across faculty, staff, and the broader school community. Reporting directly to the Head of School and working closely with the Board of Trustees, the Director will develop and implement strategic, data‑informed approaches to strengthen UCDS’s financial sustainability, deepen long‑term donor relationships, and expand community engagement.

• Build and shape a comprehensive giving strategy aligned with the UCDS strategic plan.
• Design and execute integrated fundraising strategies to support institutional priorities.
• Lead capital campaign efforts from feasibility through execution, serving as both lead
• Strategist and solicitor (portfolio size and campaign goal to be determined).
• Develop data‑informed strategies to engage and steward donors at all levels, continuously assessing and refining fundraising effectiveness.

• Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors and key community stakeholders, including corporate and foundation partners.
• Design and implement strategic donor engagement plans that support both immediate and long‑term giving goals.
• Expand the donor base while strengthening retention and re‑engagement of existing supporters.

• Partner with admissions, marketing, and communications teams to develop compelling, mission‑aligned messaging.
• Ensure consistency and alignment of development communications with broader institutional goals.

• Utilize Veracross to manage donor relationships, track contributed revenue, and inform strategy.
• Apply data insights to prepare monthly reports, monitor performance, guide decision‑making, and optimize development outcomes.

• Supervise and support the Development team, fostering a collaborative, high‑performing, and growth‑oriented culture. Working with a team of 2 direct reports:
  Assistant Director of Development, Development and Event Manager.
• Engage cross‑functional teams and volunteers to strengthen community‑building efforts aligned with the UCDS mission and related to development department events.

The Development Director oversees the work and job performance of the following direct reports and those in their departments:

• Assistant Director of Development
• Development & Events Manager
• Development Assistant & Community Liaison
• Parent/Guardian Association members
• Volunteers
• Alums

• Minimum of 5 years of development experience, including capital campaign work and community‑centered initiatives. Bachelor’s degree required;
  Master’s degree preferred.
• Strategic and Analytical
  
  Skills:
  
  Demonstrated ability to use data to inform fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and campaign planning.
• Leadership and
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Proven experience managing teams, working with senior leadership, and engaging diverse stakeholders.
• Communication and Donor Relations: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a strong ability to cultivate and steward donor relationships.
• Commitment to DEI: Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with the ability to integrate these principles into all aspects of development work.

• Experience implementing innovative and creative fundraising strategies.
• Demonstrated success leading capital campaigns.
• Proficiency with donor management systems and financial reporting tools.