Career Center

As a non-profit, tuition-free school generating 85% of its operations from fundraising and philanthropy, all Bishop Walker School external communications are related to the work of BWS’ development department. The Development Communications Manager serves as a key member of the School’s development team. S/he manages the school’s communication with external constituents and shares stories promoting the school’s mission through a variety of communication mediums.  The incumbent collaborates with the development team to manage the preparation, submission, tracking, and stewardship of grant proposals with foundations and grant making organizations.  A member of an evolving, aspirational development team, s/he participates in and helps with the School’s overall development, constituent relations, and communications efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Development Communications (50%)

• Collaborate with the Director of Development to develop, implement, and evaluate the annual communications plan.

• Manage the development, distribution, and maintenance of all print and electronic communications targeted to external audiences, not including social media audiences, while including but not limited to:

  • Annual Report, brochures, fact sheets, Annual Dinner materials (sponsorship packet, save the date, invitation, program, slides, etc.), biannual newsletters, school website, email blasts, solicitation letters, promotional materials

• Develop and maintain relationships with communications-related vendors, including: printers, graphic designers, professional photographers, website providers, mail houses, etc. 

• Create and maintain photo and video archives of the day-to-day activities at the school and school events.

• Provide basic in-house graphic design and creative services. 

• Serve in a communications consulting role for other school leaders, as able, given other responsibilities.

  • This includes providing advice, connecting to vendors, and repurposing existing content for new audiences, and offering feedback to the social media manager.

• Overall responsibility for brand consistency regarding logos, photos, videos, and design. 

• Manage media inquiries on behalf of the Head of School and distribute press releases.  

Grant Writing and Foundation Relationship Management (30%)

• Collaborate with the Development team, School leadership, Governing Board, and key volunteers to solicit foundations for financial support of the Bishop Walker School’s fundraising priorities.

• Develop and maintain in-depth knowledge of the organization, mission, programs, activities, resources, etc. as well as fundraising needs; articulate needs to foundation funding sources persuasively. 

• Identify potential grant opportunities in support of the mission and strategic plan of BWS.

• Conduct research and analysis on potential donors for solicitation.

• Write persuasive grant proposals that articulate the mission of BWS and speak to varying audiences. Attention to detail to meet the variety of foundation requirements. 

• Ensure acknowledgement of foundation gifts and prepare stewardship reports and related correspondence for grants.

• Track progress of submitted proposals, follow-up steps, and stewardship requirements through the Raiser’s Edge™ Fundraising database.
   

Administration and Other (20%)

• Actively participate in meetings of the Development and Annual Dinner Committees.  

• Attend and provide support for school and development specific events including, but not limited to, the Annual Dinner, Evensong, meetings of the Advisory Committee, and other occasional local and regional school-related events.

• Help to promote a culture of philanthropy among all of the School’s constituents and seek to expand understanding of the important role philanthropy plays at BWS.

• Actively seek opportunities for professional development; at least one per year (budget dependent).

• Be an active and visible participant in the life of Bishop Walker School.

• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Development

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, plus 3 – 5 years of experience in communications, development/fundraising and/or significant relevant experience in education or business.

• Commitment to ethical fundraising, collegiality, teamwork, and the mission of the Bishop John T. Walker School for boys (see attachment).

• Strong motivation, initiative and the ability to prioritize. As this position enjoys a high degree of autonomy, it requires a driven and disciplined individual who can engage effectively with donors, prospects, and volunteers from a variety of backgrounds.

• Ability to work collaboratively and supportively with colleagues and high-level volunteers.

• Excellent written communications skills.  This position demands clear, concise writing to articulate Bishop Walker School’s mission to a variety of external audiences with passion and persuasion. 

• Strong research skills to identify and persuade organizations and their stakeholders to support BWS. 

• Proficiency with G Suite and the Windows computer environment including MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.  Experience with Adobe Creative Suite and basic HTML skills, desirable.  Experience with The Raiser's Edge® or comparable fundraising management software, preferred.  

• Openness to learning software applications and/or acquiring new skills quickly and effectively as needed.  

• Availability and willingness to work outside the normal schedule, including early mornings, evenings, School holidays, and weekends to accommodate meetings and School events.

Applicants should email a cover letter and resume to Michael Molina, at [email protected], as well as Stephen Crochet at [email protected] with the subject line: Development Communications Manager Candidate.