Director of Development

About the School

The Waldorf School of Garden City (WSGC) is an independent, college-preparatory day school serving students from Early Childhood through Grade 12. Founded in 1947, the school is based on a 10-acre campus in Garden City, a suburban village about 18 miles from midtown Manhattan. The campus includes playgrounds, gardens, playing fields, and a wooded nature trail that creates a natural boundary from the surrounding neighborhood and university buildings.

Connected indoor facilities include a historic main entrance, gymnasium, performance space, modern library center, fiber arts studio, three laboratories, woodshop, music and practice rooms, cafeteria, and visual arts studio. The school also owns Camp Glen Brook, a 250-acre farm in New Hampshire used as part of the curriculum for Grades 3 through 12. WSGC is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools and the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America, and is recognized by the New York State Education Department. Guided by its faculty, the school emphasizes a lasting love of learning.

Role Overview

The Director of Development has a broad and important role across the school and Camp Glen Brook community. The position balances long-standing institutional traditions with the need for innovation, strategic thinking, and modern approaches to advancement. The role is part of the Senior Administrative team, reports to the School Administrator, and supports donor relations, annual giving, major gifts, capital campaigns, planned giving, fundraising events, volunteer engagement, and the broader Advancement function.

Key Duties

This role leads fundraising and advancement efforts for both the school and Camp Glen Brook, manages donor relationships, and helps shape development strategy. It also involves regular communication with families, alumni, board members, and other community stakeholders.

Additional Information

The school seeks a leader who can work across strategy and day-to-day execution in a small organization, contribute with creativity and care, and help sustain a collaborative, inclusive, and antiracist community culture. The compensation range is $80,000 to $100,000, based on experience. Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and at least three professional references to the School Administrator, Paul Schnabel at schnabelp@waldorfgarden.org.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Annual Fund campaign using phone, virtual, digital, social media, print, and in-person appeals to achieve fundraising and participation targets.
• Direct the current phase of the capital campaign and help research, plan, and build strategy for future campaigns.
• Manage major donors and prospective donors through identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Develop and run targeted campaigns tied to specific funding priorities.
• Build and nurture interest in planned giving opportunities.
• Create, manage, and present an annual development plan for review and approval by the School Administrator and Board of Trustees Development Committee.
• Attend class meetings and PFA meetings during the year to help parents and current community members understand fundraising and volunteer needs.
• Prepare board reports, budgets, and other development-related reports for school leadership and trustees.
• Project manage the Annual Magazine in coordination with the Graphic Designer and Communications team.
• Plan and deliver annual and tri-annual fundraising or appreciation events, including benefit events, golf outings, and Benefactors Receptions.
• Partner with the Associate Director of Alumni Relations to support alumni engagement programs and events such as reunions, Alumni Day, Alumni Weekend at Glen Brook, alumni sports events, college care packages, Senior Sendoff, and Student Ambassadors.
• Work with the Board Development Committee to support fundraising asks and board-led solicitation efforts.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of relevant professional experience in fundraising and donor relations.
• Ability to think both strategically and creatively while applying a DEIB lens.
• Proven self-starter who can work independently and collaboratively, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Comfort working in a small organization and handling a wide range of responsibilities from strategic planning to hands-on execution.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of groups and stakeholders.
• Confidence in leading open, productive, and sometimes challenging conversations in support of an inclusive, antiracist community.
• Experience developing community partnerships that support innovative and experiential collaboration.
• Background in research, data gathering, analysis, and applying advancement strategies in an educational environment.
• Proficiency with basic computer tools and database systems.
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude and sense of humor while managing demanding work.

Compensation

Salary is offered within a range of $80,000 to $100,000, depending on experience.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and at least three professional references to the School Administrator, Paul Schnabel, at schnabelp@waldorfgarden.org.