Director of Advancement

Wilmington Academy of Arts & Sciences

Position: Director of Advancement
Employment Status: Part-Time, 30 Hours per Week (0.75 FTE)
Reports To: Head of School
Location: Wilmington, North Carolina

Position Summary

Wilmington Academy of Arts & Sciences (WAAS) seeks a collaborative, relationship-oriented, and highly organized Director of Advancement to lead and strengthen the school’s philanthropic efforts. This position offers an opportunity to build a sustainable advancement program that engages the school community, supports institutional priorities, and establishes a strong foundation for future fundraising initiatives.

Reporting to the Head of School, the Director of Advancement will be responsible for developing and implementing the school’s annual giving program, cultivating relationships with parents, grandparents, alumni families, and other supporters, and partnering with the Board of Trustees to foster a culture of philanthropy.

As the school’s primary advancement professional, the Director will manage both the strategic and operational aspects of fundraising, including donor communications, database management, stewardship, and reporting. The position may also support future fundraising planning initiatives as the school’s needs evolve.

The ideal candidate will be a self-starter who enjoys building programs, developing meaningful relationships, and working collaboratively within a close-knit school community.

Key Responsibilities

Annual Giving

Develop and implement a comprehensive annual giving program that supports the school’s mission and priorities.
Create an annual fundraising plan with measurable goals, strategies, and timelines.
Plan and execute annual giving appeals, including direct mail, electronic communications, and personal solicitations.
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward current and prospective donors, with particular emphasis on parents, grandparents, alumni parents, and other members of the WAAS community.
Collaborate with school leadership to identify compelling funding priorities and communicate the impact of philanthropic support.
Monitor fundraising progress, evaluate results, and provide regular reports to the Head of School and Board of Trustees.
Donor Relations and Stewardship

Build and maintain positive relationships with current and prospective donors.
Develop and implement a donor acknowledgment and stewardship program that ensures timely and meaningful recognition of contributions.
Coordinate personalized donor communications, updates, and opportunities for supporters to see the impact of their philanthropy.
Identify opportunities to deepen engagement with families and other supporters throughout the school year.
Maintain appropriate confidentiality and professionalism in all donor relationships.
Board Engagement and Volunteer Leadership

Partner with the Head of School and Board of Trustees to strengthen board engagement in philanthropic activities.
Support the development of clear expectations for trustee participation in annual giving, donor cultivation, and fundraising.
Provide board members with information, resources, and guidance to help them serve as effective ambassadors for the school.
Coordinate fundraising-related committee meetings and volunteer activities, as appropriate.
Identify and engage parent volunteers and other community members who can support advancement efforts.
Advancement Operations and Database Management

Manage and maintain the school’s donor database, ensuring accurate records of contributions, donor information, communications, and engagement activities.
Coordinate gift entry, reconciliation, and reporting with the school’s business office.
Prepare donor acknowledgment letters, fundraising reports, mailing lists, and other advancement materials.
Establish and maintain efficient systems and procedures for gift processing, donor communications, and fundraising reporting.
Ensure appropriate confidentiality, data integrity, and adherence to school policies and applicable fundraising regulations.
Qualifications and Experience

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public administration or equivalent.
Minimum of five years of professional experience in fundraising, nonprofit development, advancement, or a closely related field.
Demonstrated experience with annual giving, donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop meaningful relationships with a variety of constituencies.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop compelling fundraising materials and donor correspondence.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace and experience using donor databases or constituent relationship management systems.
Willingness and ability to manage both strategic initiatives and day-to-day administrative responsibilities.
Commitment to the mission and values of Wilmington Academy of Arts & Sciences.
Preferred Qualifications

Experience in an independent school or other educational environment.
Demonstrated success developing or growing an annual giving program.
Experience working with nonprofit boards, fundraising committees, or volunteers.
Familiarity with fundraising reporting, donor segmentation, and gift processing.
Position Details

This is a 30-hour-per-week position reporting to the Head of School. The Director of Advancement will work collaboratively with school leadership, trustees, staff, families, and volunteers. Some evening or occasional weekend commitments may be required for school events, trustee meetings, and donor engagement activities.

*Compensation will be discussed based on the applicant’s experience, education, and qualifications.

Please send a cover letter and your resume to careers@wilmingtonacademy.org.

This posting will remain open until the position is filled.