Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships

Details Posted: 01-Jul-26 Location: Encino, California Type: Full Time Salary: $175,000 to $190,000 Categories Development/Fund Raising Preferred Education 4 Year Degree The Opportunity Westmark School—a nationally recognized leader in educating students with language-based learning differences—seeks an entrepreneurial, relationship-driven leader to serve as its Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships. This is a pivotal new role designed to expand Westmark’s philanthropic reach, deepen engagement with mission-aligned external partners, and strengthen the School’s long-term sustainability. A central responsibility of the Director is to strategically support the Head of School and the Board of Trustees in all aspects of major gifts fundraising. The Director will cultivate and steward relationships with Westmark’s closest constituents—including current parents, grandparents, alumni families, and former trustees—who have the capacity to make leadership gifts of $100,000 and above. The Director will ensure that the Westmark Fund and Spring Gala meet operating budget goals and that teams of volunteers are actively engaged in the execution of these annual fundraising initiatives. At The Same Time, The Director Will Broaden Westmark’s Visibility And Impact By Identifying And Securing New Sources Of External Support, Including Individual philanthropists beyond the immediate School communityCorporate partnershipsFoundation relationshipsMission-aligned organizations in education, neurodiversity, technology, and workforce development The Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships reports directly to the Head of School and serves as a key member of the senior leadership team. Physical Demands and Work Environment While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit in on meetings and work on a computer for long periods of time; and is occasionally required to walk, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, talk, and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. How To Apply Interested applicants should submit electronically and as separate documents the following materials to the email address below.: Cover letter expressing interest in the Director of Development Strategic Partnerships positionCurrent resumeList of five references with contact information, including email addresses careers@westmarkschool.org Westmark School is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit and job performance. School policy prohibits discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical conditions (including genetic characteristics or information), sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, and local laws. What We’re Looking For In a Successful Candidate Westmark seeks a candidate who is both a strategic thinker and a hands-on relationship builder—someone energized by the opportunity to shape and expand the School’s philanthropic reach. The ideal candidate will bring a blend of major gifts expertise, partnership development experience, and leadership presence required to work closely with the Head of School, Board of Trustees, and senior administrators. A Successful Candidate Will Demonstrate Major Gifts Mastery and Donor Strategy A proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding six- and seven-figure gifts.Sophisticated judgment in donor strategy, including the ability to design individualized cultivation pathways and prepare senior leaders for high-level donor conversations.Comfort engaging with high-capacity families, alumni parents, former trustees, and community leaders. Strategic Vision and Entrepreneurial Drive The ability to translate institutional priorities—especially the 2026–2029 strategic plan—into a clear, actionable roadmap for philanthropy and partnerships.A growth mindset and entrepreneurial approach to identifying new funding opportunities, building pipelines, and expanding Westmark’s visibility beyond its immediate community.A willingness to innovate, test new approaches, and build systems that strengthen long-term sustainability. Relationship-Centered Leadership Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to inspire trust, credibility, and enthusiasm among donors, volunteers, corporate partners, and colleagues.Experience staffing senior leaders and trustees, including preparing briefings, proposals, and strategy memos.A collaborative spirit and the ability to work seamlessly across departments: admissions, marketing and communications, programming, and the Head of School office. Volunteer Management Excellence Demonstrated success recruiting, training, motivating, and recognizing volunteer leaders.The ability to staff and manage committees for the Westmark Fund, ensuring volunteers feel supported, informed, and empowered.Skill in creating clear roles, timelines, and tools that enable effective peer-to-peer outreach. Corporate and Foundation Partnership Experience Experience developing multi-layered corporate relationships that may include philanthropy, sponsorships, employee engagement, or workforce-readiness initiatives.Strong grant-writing skills, including the ability to craft compelling narratives, manage deadlines, and steward institutional funders.An understanding of trends in DEI and corporate philanthropy—particularly as they relate to neurodiversity, education, and talent development. Operational Discipline and Data-Driven Decision Making Strong organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work on tight timelines.Comfort with prospect management systems, dashboards, and data analysis to inform strategy and track progress.A commitment to best practices in donor stewardship, compliance, and ethical fundraising. Mission Alignment and Cultural Competence A deep appreciation for Westmark School’s mission, vision, and the strengths of neurodiverse learners.The ability to communicate the School’s impact with authenticity, clarity, and emotional intelligence.Cultural humility and the ability to engage respectfully with families, students, and partners from diverse backgrounds. Create a Job Match for Similar Jobs About Westmark School Westmark School is a creative and supportive college preparatory school dedicated to educating, empowering and celebrating students with distinct learning styles, providing the tools necessary to achieve successful and fulfilling futures. Located in Encino, CA, Westmark offers competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. We seek talented professionals committed to excellence. Connections working at Westmark School More Jobs from This Employer https://careers.nais.org/jobs/22392419/director-of-development-and-strategic-partnerships