Director of Development

Location: San Diego, California
Type: Full-Time, Exempt

About the School

The Children's School is an independent school located in La Jolla, California, inspiring children from toddlers through grade eight with a rich academic and social curriculum. The school is accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools. www.tcslj.org

About the Role

The Director of Development is a strategic and relationship-driven leader responsible for designing, implementing, and managing a comprehensive fundraising program to support the school’s mission and long-term sustainability. This individual works closely with the Head of School, Leadership Team, and parent community to cultivate a culture of philanthropy and secure annual, major, and planned gifts.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
  • Develop and execute a comprehensive development plan aligned with the school’s strategic priorities
  • Partner with the Head of School and Director of Finance to set and achieve annual fundraising goals
  • Lead and support Board development committee
• Fundraising & Advancement
  • Oversee all aspects of the Annual Fund, including strategy, messaging, and volunteer engagement
  • Cultivate and steward major gift prospects and donors
  • Manage donor relations and stewardship programs to ensure strong retention and engagement
• Community Engagement
  • Build meaningful relationships with parents, alumni, grandparents, and community partners
  • Support and enhance a culture of giving across all constituencies
  • Collaborate with admissions and communications to ensure consistent messaging and brand alignment
• Events & Communications
  • Oversee fundraising events, including gala and donor gatherings
  • Partner on development-related communications, including newsletters, impact reports, and campaigns
• Operations
  • Manage development office operations, including database oversight, gift processing, and reporting
  • Supervise development staff and coordinate volunteer efforts
  • Track and analyze fundraising performance metrics

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
• 5+ years of progressive experience in fundraising, preferably in an independent school or nonprofit setting
• Proven success in major gifts, annual giving, and campaign management
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to engage and inspire a wide range of stakeholders
• High level of discretion, professionalism, and integrity
• Minimum three years experience in development with an independent school or non-profit organization

Preferred Attributes

• Passion for independent school education and child development
• Experience working with boards and volunteer leadership
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on, collaborative approach

Pay

$140,000 - $200,000

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package
• Health benefits
• Retirement plan
• Professional development opportunities