Manager of Family Engagement and Community Cultivation

Winchester Thurston School, a Junior Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 independent day school in Pittsburgh, announces a search for a Manager of Family Engagement and Community Cultivation. The Manager of Family Engagement and Community Cultivation actively leads and manages the details for all efforts to engage WT parents and guardians, grandparents, volunteers, and all donors, in supporting WT with their time, philanthropy, advocacy and passion. With internal and external responsibilities, the Manager of Family Engagement and Community Cultivation is responsible for managing the comprehensive relationship building among families and donors, for supporting the Family Association in its efforts to engage parents and families in the life of the school, and for ensuring and implementing a comprehensive cultivation strategy for all WT donors and community members. The Manager of Family Engagement and Community Cultivation will maintain a small portfolio of mid-level major gift prospects, for whom in-person stewardship and solicitation is appropriate.

The individual in this position will work closely with the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement, Advancement Department members, the Board of Trustees, other employees, parents, students, alums, and current and future donors. The Manager of Family Engagement and Community Cultivation will also work closely with the Advancement Special Events Coordinator, especially on events related to the Family Association. The individual in this position performs under the general direction of the Head of School and under the daily supervision of the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement. The Manager of Family Engagement and Community Cultivation serves in a manner that advances and upholds the mission and philosophy of Winchester Thurston School.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for Family Association leadership, Room Parents and Parent Coordinators

• Work to connect parents and families with school activities and experiences, including City as Our Campus opportunities; work with the Human Resources Office to ensure that parent volunteers have appropriate clearances on file

• Work with the Family Association leadership to create a structure of Room Parents and Parent Coordinators each year

• Schedule and set agendas for Room Parent meetings

• Work with the Director of Equity, Inclusion and Belonging to schedule all Parent Equity & Inclusion Committee meetings and to disseminate information for those gatherings

• Serve on all Family Association event committees and, in conjunction with the Special Events Coordinator, manage meetings and expectations of committee members

• Work closely with the Event Coordinator to ensure the successful execution of all Family Association-related events (including Parent Coffees, Pumpkin Fair, Holiday Open House, Winter Bingo, Benefit, Spring Fling, etc.)

• Assist the Family Association president in drafting regular newsletter messages

• Ensure representation of Family Association events in division newsletters

• Work with the Family Association president to set Parent educational events

• Assist Room Parents and parent divisional coordinators with strategic development of division specific engagement efforts

• Work with Room Parents to disseminate information and provide contact lists as needed

• Facilitate strong relationships between Family Association leaders and the Division Directors

• Perform other duties as assigned

• Assist in devising a comprehensive donor cultivation effort for all WT donors, that will include touch points throughout the year

• Implement a system to recognize donor celebrations (such as birthdays, anniversaries, etc.)

• Work with volunteers to provide hand-written thank you notes, or thank you calls, to donors

• Plan an annual event/effort for acknowledging donors

• Plan cultivation events for Grandparents and Special Friends

• Manage a small portfolio of donors, cultivating and soliciting mid-level gifts

• Strategically identify and recruit current and future parent volunteer leaders in an effort to build engagement and participation

• Support the Director of Advancement in identifying prospects for major giving and the Planned Giving program

• Collaborate with the Assistant Director of Advancement on special solicitation projects for the WT Annual Fund, including student giving, reunion giving, class challenges, and the senior class student and parent gifts

• Manage efforts of student groups interested in fundraising for their club/team

• Manage sponsorship fundraising associated with parent events

• Perform other duties as assigned

• Participate actively in the Board Development Committee, Committee on Trustees, and Family Association Leadership meetings

• Manage a portfolio of 20-25 prospects for stewardship and solicitation

• Conduct an average of 8 in-person “moves” per month. (Move is defined as a pre-planned, strategic engagement that moves the prospect measurably closer to the projected gift or pledge.)

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of three years’ experience in a related field is required
• Proven relationship builder, leader and motivator, with the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment
• Adept at managing many details and deadlines while also leading and collaborating with colleagues and volunteers to plan and execute event
• Experience in fundraising and competence in cultivating donors
• Creative, confident and energetic, with initiative, optimism, and flexibility
• Strong organizational and analytical skills are necessary as well as database management experience
• Ability to effectively balance competing priorities and meet inflexible deadlines
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Applicants may apply at https://www.applitrack.com/winchesterthurston/onlineapp/ and will need to complete an application as well as submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for 3 professional references.

Winchester Thurston School is an equal opportunity employer. WT is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic community and strongly encourages applications from people of color, LGBTQ candidates, and women.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $55,000 - $65,000