Director of Development

Director of Development 

Manhattan Lower and Middle School (Serving All Campuses)

The Windward School is currently seeking a Director of Development to serve all campuses.  This role, based at our Manhattan Lower and Middle School Campus, follows a Monday - Friday schedule 8AM-4PM.  

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Develop and direct a comprehensive and multi-channeled development program across three campuses in Manhattan and Westchester County to include: major gifts, annual fund, special events, corporate and foundation support, campaign fundraising, alumni relations, parent engagement and special initiatives to meet annual fundraising goals of $3-4M plus campaign  
• Manage and oversee the work of four Associate Directors of Development overseeing the Windward Fund, WPA, Alumni Relations, Events, Major Gifts, Advancement Services.
• Manage a personal portfolio of high-capacity donors. Identify prospects, cultivate, solicit and steward gifts of $50K and up.  
• Collaborate with the annual fund team to develop strategic and innovative ways to nurture a culture of philanthropy with faculty, staff, parents, grandparents, alumni and alumni parents to improve community engagement opportunities and strengthen a broad base of support. 
• Assist the CAO in developing a grants and foundations program to support the Windward Institute. 
• Oversee the growth, development and focus of our alumni relations program to increase engagement, participation and giving from alums and alumni parents. 
• Collaborate with annual fund and Capital Campaign to ensure cohesive and aligned portfolio strategies and comprehensive asks. 
• Using data as a guide, oversee annual development work plans, support team members in the creation of the plans and oversee plan adherence and monitor KPIs. 
• Collaborate with staff on the development, strategy and execution of fundraising events including a biennial Benefit and Golf and Tennis Outing (alternating years) and identify and leverage emerging opportunities. 
• Ensure superior donor acknowledgement and stewardship practices to keep donors close to the organization and work with advancement services, CAO and Business office to ensure streamlined gift reporting and reconciliation.  
• Work in partnership with the Director of Marketing and Communications on ways to elevate the visibility and reputation of The Windward School through development activities, online, in print and through video assets.  

Specific Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree with concentration in fundraising/nonprofit management, Business Administration, Communications or related field
• 10+ years' fundraising experience
• Management experience, coaching and developing team talent
• Proven track record of securing major gifts
• Fundraising experience in the New York City metro area
• Familiarity with Blackbaud/Raiser’s Edge or similar database.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
• Excellent written, interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• CFRE credentialing a plus

Salary range; $180,000-$220,000

Our Vision

A world where every child with a language-based learning disability is empowered to achieve unlimited success.

Our Mission

The Windward School is a premier independent day school for children with dyslexia or other language-based learning disabilities (LBLD). With two campuses in White Plains, and one campus on the Upper East Side of New York City, Windward remediates a student's dyslexia or LBLD in preparation for a return to a mainstream school environment. Nationally recognized for its development of instructional programs designed specifically to help students achieve language proficiency, Windward's academic curriculum is research-based and multisensory in nature and is designed to give students the skills they need to succeed in school and return with confidence to mainstream educational settings. In addition to bringing the life-changing magic of a Windward education to our students, the Windward Institute serves The Windward School and the broader educational community by forming partnerships with leading education institutions; advocating for students with language-based learning disabilities; and providing training, professional development, and resources for teachers.

Our Team

The Development office, consisting of 10 team members, is distributed across all three campuses. The Director of Development will be based at the Manhattan campus and will be a highly visible member of the Senior Leadership Team, reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer and collaborating closely with the Director of Marketing and Communications, both of whom are based in Westchester.