Director of Parent Engagement and Giving

Viewpoint School•Calabasas, CA

11d

About The Position

Viewpoint School is seeking a relational, strategic, and community-minded gift officer to strengthen parent engagement and volunteerism, increase philanthropic participation, and advance the School’s fundraising program. The Director of Parent Engagement and Giving will build on existing volunteer and fundraising efforts during a period of institutional growth, including Viewpoint’s merger with Berkeley Hall and development as a two-campus school. Reporting to the Senior Director of Advancement, the Director will help develop and improve the parent volunteer experience while connecting volunteer service, event participation, and parent giving. The role will serve as the primary staff liaison to parent volunteer leaders, support volunteer recruitment and retention, and identify emerging philanthropic potential among parents. At the same time, the Director will manage a portfolio of current parents, focusing on annual-giving donor acquisition, retention, and upgrades. The successful candidate will be a skilled relationship builder with strong frontline fundraising experience, sound judgment, discretion, and excellent communication skills. The role involves close collaboration with Advancement colleagues, volunteers, and other school stakeholders; accurate donor-record maintenance in Raiser’s Edge NXT; and local travel and evening availability for prospect dinners and events as needed. A bachelor’s degree and five or more years of progressive advancement or fundraising experience are required. Compensation is anticipated to be $115,000–$130,000, depending on experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Five or more years of progressive advancement or fundraising experience in a nonprofit setting involving volunteers.
Strong understanding of frontline fundraising, with a proven record in annual and/or major giving and experience with discovery, pipeline building, and moves-management techniques.
Proven success qualifying, acquiring, and retaining annual fund donors.
Experience with CRM platforms and data-driven fundraising metrics to guide decisions; CRM experience is required.
Track record of working diplomatically, enthusiastically, and effectively with parent or volunteer groups.
Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
High emotional intelligence, discretion, interpersonal skills, and sound judgment.
Ability to build trust, read people and situations thoughtfully, maintain appropriate boundaries, and balance responsiveness with institutional judgment.
Ability to work collaboratively with diverse partners and stakeholders in a large TK–12 independent school, as well as independently.
Strong organization and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Strategic, diplomatic, discerning, and collaborative approach that fosters cooperation with staff and volunteers at all organizational levels.
Creativity, initiative, persuasiveness, tact, and exceptional customer service across phone, email, and in-person interactions.
Proficiency with current desktop office technologies and ability to adapt to future technologies.
Data-driven and digital-first approach, with ability to work collaboratively in a Google cloud-based environment.
Ability to work evenings and travel locally in the greater Los Angeles area for prospect dinners and events as needed.
Demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging.

Nice To Haves

Experience in an independent school, higher education, or related nonprofit setting.
Understanding of the mission and purpose of independent schools.
Raiser’s Edge NXT experience.
A record of cultivating, soliciting, and closing larger, specialized gifts.

Responsibilities

Support the strategy, execution, and ongoing evaluation of Viewpoint’s parent volunteer organization, ensuring positive experiences aligned with institutional priorities.
Establish a continuum of parent engagement connecting volunteer service, event participation, and parent giving.
Serve as the primary staff liaison to volunteer leadership, developing meeting agendas, annual work plans, and performance metrics, and attending meetings and events.
Partner with volunteer leaders to recruit, train, and manage committees; support volunteer retention and growth; and identify future leaders in the parent community.
Work with the Director of Donor Experience to acknowledge and celebrate parent volunteerism through meaningful stewardship.
Coordinate volunteer activities with Advancement initiatives, including annual giving, major gifts, events, stewardship, and community engagement.
Develop engagement opportunities that recognize volunteer service both as a contribution in itself and as a potential pathway to philanthropic investment.
Collaborate with internal partners to onboard new parents and introduce them to engagement opportunities.
Identify parents with philanthropic potential through volunteer involvement, events, school participation, personal connections, and other discovery opportunities.
Explore and pilot ways to align volunteer experiences across the two campuses.
Manage a portfolio of current parents, focusing on annual-giving donor acquisition, retention, upgrades, and pipeline growth.
Work with the Senior Director of Campaign Research and Analytics to use available tools for frontline fundraising.
Develop knowledge of Viewpoint’s Advancement work, fundraising needs, annual support, benefits, endowment, and special projects; maintain fluency in the curriculum and signature programs.
Coordinate with the Director of Annual Giving and Gift Administration and other colleagues to ensure gifts are recorded properly and matching gifts, stock transfers, and pending gifts are realized.
Maintain timely, detailed records in Raiser’s Edge NXT, including contact reports, proposals and opportunities, research notes, and moves-management information.
Participate in weekly team meetings led by the Senior Director of Advancement to collaborate and assess progress.
Follow Viewpoint’s Guidelines for Major Gift Officers.
Perform other related tasks and special projects as required.