Associate Director of Development

The Bush School•Seattle, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Director of Development advances the mission of The Bush School by planning, organizing, and implementing strategies that deepen personal engagement and inspire philanthropic support from current and former Bush families, alumni, and friends. This role places a strong emphasis on securing and stewarding major gifts, including leadership of capital campaign operations. Reporting to the Assistant Head of School for Advancement (AHOSA), the Associate Director works collaboratively with the Development and Communications teams to drive a relationship-centered fundraising strategy. This position plays a key leadership role in strengthening a culture of philanthropy and gratitude across the Bush community.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
Minimum 3 years of experience in development, fundraising, or advancement, preferably including capital campaign experience
Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising and relationship management
Knowledge of fundraising principles, ethics, and best practices
Experience with donor databases and fundraising systems (Raiser’s Edge preferred), including data segmentation and reporting
Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills
Have a current Adult and Children CPR, First Aid, and AED Certification (or receive one soon after hire date)
Meet the school’s standards when completing two separate background screenings
Applicants interested in applying for this opportunity should visit our website at www.bush.edu and navigate to the employment section of the website (found under the “About Bush” tab) for additional information/instructions.
This position requires applicants to be, at the time of application, legally authorized to work in the United States.
The Bush School does not offer visa sponsorship for this position and will not consider applicants who require visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading capital campaigns
Experience in an independent school, nonprofit, or educational setting

Responsibilities

Lead the strategy, structure, and execution of the major gifts program, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of high-capacity donors
Manage operations of the capital campaign, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and campaign milestones
Identify, qualify, and develop a pipeline of leadership gift prospects; collaborate with the Assistant Head of School for Advancement on solicitation strategies and timelines
Manage a portfolio of annual and major gift prospects, building meaningful relationships through in-person engagement and personalized communication
Oversee planning and execution of fundraising initiatives and events that support major giving and campaign goals
Collaborate with team members to produce timely and accurate endowment and development reports
Partner with Alumni Relations to design and implement a cohesive alumni giving strategy, including senior class engagement and education
Partner with the Director of Marketing and Communications to develop compelling, mission-aligned solicitation messaging across digital, print, and direct-mail platforms
Ensure consistent, strategic communication with all constituencies to enhance engagement and giving participation
Maintain a high level of data integrity and ensure timely and accurate reporting on fundraising results, trends, and projections
Collaborate with the Assistant Head of School for Advancement to monitor progress toward goals and inform strategic decision-making
Lead and continuously refine the school’s stewardship program to ensure donors are meaningfully recognized and engaged
Oversee production of Gratitude (the annual report of giving)
Ensure timely, professional follow-up with donors and stakeholders
Serve as an active and visible ambassador for The Bush School, fostering a culture of philanthropy, inclusion, and appreciation
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Advancement Office and school priorities