Director of Development & Communications

Edison High School•Portland, OR

5d•Onsite

About The Position

As part of the Leadership team, the Director of Development & Communications will focus on the smooth operation of annual fundraising and communications for Edison High School. The brand of the Development and Communications Office is upbeat, positive, and reflects the Board and President’s objectives for the School. This position and its successful candidate will mirror that brand. The Director of Development and Communications will have a remarkable opportunity to build upon a record-breaking fundraising year and contribute to a defining moment in Edison’s history through the capital campaign.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required
Minimum of five years of professional experience in fundraising, communications, or a related field, with a demonstrated track record of success.
Experience with donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and relationship management required.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to quickly establish, cultivate, and maintain meaningful relationships on behalf of Edison.
Positive, outgoing, and professional demeanor.
Strong attention to detail and exceptional organizational and time-management skills.
Ability to work independently, take initiative, and proactively manage multiple priorities and projects.
Collaborative team player with a positive attitude and a commitment to the mission and values of Edison.
Understanding of fundraising and sales principles, with the confidence and willingness to regularly engage with donors and prospects outside of the office.
Ability to represent Edison professionally and effectively with donors, families, alumni, community members, and other constituents.
Criminal Justice Fingerprint and Background Clearance.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Experience with Raiser’s Edge or other donor database systems preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead annual fund and major gift fundraising efforts, including donor identification, relationship management, personalized outreach, and gift solicitation.
Build and strengthen relationships with current, lapsed, and prospective donors—including parents, alumni, grandparents, and friends of Edison—through personal visits, events, and ongoing engagement.
Develop and execute strategies for annual fund and campaign giving, including direct mail, digital fundraising, and online giving initiatives.
Oversee timely and meaningful donor recognition and stewardship for annual fund, endowment, and campaign supporters, ensuring donors receive appropriate communication and acknowledgment.
Support and help advance the capital campaign in collaboration with the President, Special Assistant to the President, and the Board Campaign Committee.
Cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective and current campaign donors.
Oversee Planned Giving, Bright Minds Partnership, and President’s Club giving programs.
Oversee the Development and Communications Coordinator’s research of prospective grant funders and collaborate on the development and submission of targeted grant proposals.
Partner with special events team in the planning and production of the annual Brilliance Benefit.
Design, implement, and manage an effective Alumni Relations program.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with alumni, current and former parents, grandparents, donors, and friends of Edison.
Attend and actively participate in school gatherings, including Open House, Back to School Night, parent picnics, and other community events, to develop and strengthen relationships with donors and families.
Grow Edison’s participation in the Association of Learning Differences Schools.
Work with outside consultants and manage outside vendors to review current plans, strategies and initiatives.
Develop and implement a comprehensive, multi-channel communications and marketing strategy in alignment with the strategic plan.
Oversee and implement cohesive communications strategy for current and prospective families.
Manage and execute all external and major internal communications.
Manage media relations and oversee crisis communications.
Oversee the Development and Communications Coordinator in ensuring advancement objectives are effectively represented across the school’s website, social media channels, publications, and campaign communications.
Develop and oversee fundraising and communications budgets.
Provide strategic direction and oversight for fundraising and communications activities and initiatives.
Lead and coordinate the Development and Communications Coordinator’s efforts, in collaboration with members of the school community, to ensure alignment of development and communications priorities and objectives.
Collaborate with the President, Special Assistant to the President, Development and Communications Coordinator, special events team, and other school leaders to advance Edison’s fundraising, communications, and community engagement objectives.
Perform other duties as assigned.