Assistant Director of Development- Events, Alumni, and Family Engagement

Lowell School, a progressive school of approximately 315 students in NW Washington, DC, seeks a full-time Assistant Director of Development- Events, Alumni, and Family Engagement to join the Development team. The ideal candidate will bring a dynamic mix of creativity, organization, and relationship-building skills to foster strong alumni and family engagement while executing events that reflect the spirit of the Lowell community. They will be a collaborative and resourceful development professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, juggle multiple priorities with ease, and are deeply committed to building connections that support Lowell’s mission.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree 
• 5 years of experience in alumni relations, event planning, or fundraising a plus.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities, with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, database management, and social media platforms.
• Be a high-energy self-starter with excellent people skills, a sense of humor, grace under fire, and a can-do spirit to make things work in a fast-paced and constantly evolving environment.
• Experience using Raiser’s Edge or similar database, School Auction, Handbid, or similar online event software is strongly desired. 
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed for school events.
• Candidate must be goal-oriented, able to meet deadlines, possess excellent written and oral communication skills, and have the ability to work well independently and as part of a team. 

Major Responsibilities:

Alumni Engagement

• Develop and implement strategies to engage alumni through various channels, including social media, email campaigns, and networking events.
• Cultivate relationships with alumni to foster a sense of community and encourage involvement in school activities and fundraising efforts.
• Coordinate alumni reunions, homecoming events, and other special gatherings to reconnect alumni with each other and the school.
• Create and manage annual alumni engagement plan and track measurable outcomes.

Events Management

• Plan, coordinate, and execute special events, including the school auction, Grandguest Day, donor appreciation and stewardship events, and alumni receptions.
• Manage event logistics, including venue selection, catering, invitations, and guest lists.
• Work closely with vendors, volunteers, and internal stakeholders to ensure the success of each event.
• Oversee event budgets and track expenses to ensure financial accountability.

Fundraising

• Work together with the Director of Development to meet the Fete goals and drive new revenue targets for increasing revenue in support of financial aid budget needs
• Identify, qualify, track, and manage a portfolio of alumni and alumni families 
• Create plans to establish an alumni council to garner financial support in annual fund campaigns (with a focus on Giving Day and Annual Auction)
• Coordinate alumni engagement and touchpoints through monthly engagement targets established each year
• Provide support for donor stewardship activities

8th Grade and Future Alumni Engagement 

• Coordinate efforts for the 8th grade class gift in conjunction with the Director of Development, families, and Middle School leadership. 
• Coordinate celebrations and events as deemed appropriate for the graduating class.

Alumni Database Management:

• Create and maintain accurate records of alumni contact information, engagement history, and giving preferences in the school's database.
• Utilize Data to create and inform strategies around alumni engagement goals.
• Regularly update alumni profiles and track participation in events and volunteer opportunities.
• Generate reports and analytics to assess the effectiveness of alumni engagement strategies and inform future initiatives.

Collaboration and Communication

• Collaborate with colleagues across departments, including Development, Communications, and Admissions, to ensure alignment and consistency in messaging and outreach efforts.
• Communicate regularly with alumni through newsletters, social media updates, and personalized correspondence to keep them informed about school news and events.
• Serve as a liaison between alumni and the school administration, representing alumni interests and concerns as needed.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: 

• prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer;
• use hands to finger, handle, or feel; 
• hear and speak to exchange information in person or on the telephone; 
• see, including close vision and ability to adjust focus, read materials, and operate equipment; 
• stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms for extended periods of time; 
• access all areas of campus and buildings;
• access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities;
• climbing, balancing, stooping, bending, kneeling, turning, or sitting; 
• regularly able to lift, pull, push, haul, or drag items weighing up to 30 pounds; 
• work in inclement weather; 
• work in environments with adverse conditions such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, fumes, extreme temperatures, noise, machinery vibrations, and pathogenic substances.
• tolerate occasional noisy indoor work environments; 
• tolerate temperature fluctuations throughout the school campus, indoors and out; 
• frequent interruptions are common; 
• workflow and schedule must accommodate the schedules of others;
• variable hours, including evenings and weekends.

Candidates interested in applying should email a cover letter, resume, and 2 to 3 letters of reference to the attention of Kimberly Rollins, Director of Development, at employment@lowellschool.org. Please include the position title in the subject line. 

The Expected Salary Range:  $65,000 - $80,000.

Lowell School offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Lowell is an equal opportunity employer. Lowell complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding recruitment and hiring. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform a certain duty of the job.