Advancement Manager

The Spring Hill School, Petaluma’s only preschool-8th grade independent school, seeks a dynamic, creative, entrepreneurial, team-oriented Advancement Manager to join our leadership team. This is a pivotal moment in Spring Hill’s proud 50 year history as the school looks to strengthen its culture of giving, generate philanthropic momentum, and undertake a major facilities expansion to bring both divisions onto one campus.

The Advancement Manager will champion a culture of generosity, expand constituent engagement (current families, grandparents, alumni and their families, and former trustees), and inspire collective action across the community. The school is looking for a seasoned development professional who thrives in a collaborative environment that prioritizes both strategic leadership thinking and boots-on-the-ground action.

If you are a strategic fundraiser, passionate about the transformative power of education, and a storyteller at heart, we invite you to apply and help us shape Spring Hill’s journey forward.

Overview:

The Advancement Manager will be instrumental in developing and executing a strategic fundraising strategy, which includes managing the annual fund, securing major gifts, and enhancing donor stewardship. This role requires a leader with a proven track record in advancement, capable of demonstrating tangible results and adept at educating a community unfamiliar with the norms of institutional fundraising. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with the Head of School, Business Office, and other key departments to enhance the school's brand, increase visibility, and foster community engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Fundraising and Development: The Advancement Manager will execute a comprehensive fundraising plan to meet annual revenue goals and support the school’s strategic objectives. This role focuses on managing the annual fund, identifying grant opportunities, and partnering with the Head of School to cultivate major gifts and alumni relationships. By implementing creative donor recognition and community-wide educational campaigns, the Manager will foster a strong culture of philanthropy and ensure long-term donor retention.
• Community Engagement and Event Management: The Advancement Manager will plan and execute mission-driven events that effectively communicate the school’s goals to a diverse audience. This role is responsible for strengthening alumni relations through targeted engagement programs and building strategic partnerships with local businesses and community organizations to elevate the school’s profile and support key initiatives.
• Marketing and Communications: The Advancement Manager will collaborate with the Head of School to develop marketing strategies that elevate the school’s brand and attract prospective donors and families. This role also manages the production of essential advancement materials, such as the annual report and promotional content, to clearly communicate the impact and value of philanthropic support.
• Database and Administrative Support: The Advancement Manager will coordinate with the Business Office to ensure all gifts are accurately recorded and acknowledged while maintaining a robust, up-to-date donor database. Additionally, this role will focus on streamlining office processes to maximize efficiency and provide strong administrative support for all fundraising activities.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree required.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in advancement, development, or fundraising roles, with demonstrated success in meeting substantial fundraising targets, preferably within an educational or non-profit setting.

Skills:

• Experience in fundraising and development, with a strong track record in annual fund management and major gift solicitation.
• Superior organizational and event planning skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Proficiency in donor management systems.

Personal Attributes:

• Deeply passionate about education with a strong commitment to fostering a philanthropic culture.
• Results-oriented with demonstrated ability to set and achieve ambitious goals.
• Collaborative and empathetic, with proven ability to build trust and foster relationships.
• Innovative and proactive in identifying new opportunities and creative solutions.
• High ethical standards and a commitment to transparency.

Work Environment:

• This is a full-time, exempt, 12-month position (.8 or 1.0 FTE)
• Requires flexibility to attend evening and weekend events.

About The Spring Hill School:

The Spring Hill School is an independent school that believes in developing the whole child by providing strong academics and social-emotional learning to foster a lifelong love of learning. Founded in 1975, and located in beautiful Petaluma, Sonoma County, California, we offer an engaging, whole-child curriculum that promotes critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and social-emotional maturity. We help our students to become leaders, and lifelong joyful learners. We support our students to develop meaningful relationships with peers and faculty based on honesty, respect and responsibility. Our guiding values are as follows: The Unique Potential of Each Child, Academic Excellence, Experiential Learning, Community & Diversity, Sustainability, and Global Engagement. Spring Hill offers competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. We seek talented professionals committed to excellence.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants should submit electronically and as separate documents the following materials, emailed directly to employment@thespringhillschool.org:

• Cover letter expressing interest in the Advancement Manager position
• Current resume
• List of five references with contact information, including email addresses

The Spring Hill School is an equal opportunity employer. All individuals have an equal opportunity for employment based on qualifications and merit, regardless of religion, race, sex, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, military service status, or any other factor prohibited by state or federal law. This policy applies to all areas of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, and other conditions of employment. Spring Hill also makes reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities and for employees who request an accommodation for pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions

Pay: $75,000.00 - $87,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Advancement, Development, or Fundraising: 5 years (Required)

Work Location: In person