Job Description: Development Associate
Department: Development
** Job Summary**
The Development Associate will provide essential support to the Development team, ensuring the success of The Pine School's fundraising and community-building activities. This role reports directly to the Director of Development and will play a critical role in helping the School achieve its strategic goals. The Development Associate will also provide dedicated support to the Fundraising and Events Manager, assisting in the planning, execution, and evaluation of events, campaigns, and donor engagement initiatives that drive philanthropic growth and community involvement.
The ideal candidate is a dynamic, people-oriented professional who thrives in a collaborative environment and is passionate about building meaningful donor relationships while driving impactful events and fundraising success. The successful candidate will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, be highly organized and detail-oriented, and have a proven track record of success in a development or related role.
** Essential Functions**
● Administrative Support: Provide organizational and administrative support to the Director of Development and the Fundraising and Events Manager, including preparing correspondence, scheduling appointments, and making travel arrangements when necessary. Interaction with donors, parents, and staff on a daily basis.
● Database Management: Ensure data integrity, accuracy, and compliance in the Development Office database system (Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT). This includes maintaining accurate and up-to-date donor records, ensuring compliance with data management policies and procedures, and staying current on database management best practices.
● Gift Processing: Process all gifts, generate acknowledgement receipts, thank-you letters, and other forms of acknowledgement in a timely and accurate manner.
● Reporting and Analysis: Prepare and generate reports, queries, donor profiles, prospect lists, and mailing lists to support Development efforts. This includes analyzing data to identify trends and opportunities, providing insights and recommendations to inform Development strategy, and developing and maintaining dashboards and reports to track key metrics.
● Donor Research: Conduct research to understand donor philanthropic interests and giving capacity. This includes identifying and researching prospective donors, analyzing donor data to identify trends and opportunities, and providing insights and recommendations to inform Development strategy.
● Event Support: Collaborate with the Director of Development and Fundraising and Events Manager to assist with event logistics, including coordinating with vendors and suppliers, soliciting item donations and sponsorships, and assisting with on-site event execution.
● Social Media Support: Create visually appealing social media graphics, infographics, and other digital assets using design tools (e.g., Canva) to support various Development campaigns and initiatives.
** Qualifications & Requirements**
● Bachelor's degree required
● Minimum 3 years of experience in advancement, donor relations, database management, and event planning
● Independent school experience highly preferred
● Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
● Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team
● An understanding of database systems, preferably from a non-profit or independent school setting (preferably with Raiser's Edge NXT) is required
● Knowledge of GSuite products and high proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel
● Superior attention to detail and accuracy
● Ability to exercise independent judgment, maintain confidentiality, prioritize tasks, and work independently with accuracy
● Commitment to the mission of The Pine School
● Willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed
** Work Arrangement**
This is a 12-month, full-time position that requires the successful candidate to be on campus in person, Monday through Friday, during regular business hours (8:00 am - 4:00 pm). This is not a remote or hybrid position.
** Physical Demands and Work Environment**
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands: The Development Associate will be required to:
○ Sit for extended periods of time
○ Stand and walk for short periods of time
○ Lift, push, pull, and/or carry items up to 50 pounds
○ Use hands to finger, handle, and feel objects
○ Reach with hands and arms
○ Climb stairs
○ Balance
○ Stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling may be required
Work Environment: The Development Associate will work in an office environment with:
○ Moderate noise levels
○ Fluorescent lighting
○ Climate-controlled temperatures
○ Occasional exposure to outdoor weather conditions
○ Frequent interactions with colleagues, donors, students, and other stakeholders
Travel
● Local travel for business day errands
● Limited overnight and out-of-area travel may be necessary
** Mission Statement**
The Pine School is an independent college preparatory school educating students in Kindergarten through 12th Grade. We promote academic, artistic and athletic excellence in a close-knit learning environment that extends from the classroom to our expansive natural campus and beyond. Our challenging curriculum cultivates intellectual curiosity and honors each student’s voice as we strive for inclusivity. From a strong sense of community and connection, The Pine School students become inspired and prepared to navigate a complex and changing world.
** Statement of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access**
We at The Pine School are committed to continuous growth by examining and learning from diverse perspectives as an active, necessary pursuit. We encourage the respectful expression of different life experiences, thoughts, and opinions and cultivate an atmosphere in which thoughtful dialogue can flourish. We recognize and appreciate all abilities, colors, family structures, gender identities, national or ethnic origins, races.
** Equal Employment Opportunity Statement**
The Pine School is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment. It is Pine’s policy to provide equal employment opportunities and administer terms and conditions of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.