The Ethel Walker School
Director of Stewardship and Operations
The Ethel Walker School, Simsbury, Connecticut, us, 06070
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Director of Stewardship and Operations
role at
The Ethel Walker School .
The position is Full Time, Exempt, 12 Months. Supervisor: Assistant Head of School for Advancement. The Director oversees the Special Events Manager, Advancement Communications Coordinator, Advancement Associate, Advancement Research Manager, and Database Assistant.
The Director of Stewardship and Operations provides strategic oversight and leadership across key functions of the Advancement Office, including donor relations and stewardship, operations, communications, research, and special events. Reporting to the Assistant Head of School for Advancement, this leader plays a central role in strengthening constituent engagement and ensuring donors experience meaningful, high‑impact interactions that build long‑term investment in The Ethel Walker School.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive, donor‑centered stewardship program that reflects the mission and values of Walker’s.
Audit existing acknowledgment and stewardship practices; design and implement a refreshed stewardship matrix that ensures consistency, personalization, and meaningful donor recognition across all giving levels.
Oversee stewardship strategies for all levels of giving, including the 1911 Fund, endowment, capital priorities, and planned giving.
Partner with advancement leadership and school leaders to deliver customized engagement and recognition for top donors.
Develop and manage donor recognition societies and signature stewardship events.
Ensure timely and meaningful acknowledgments, reports, and touch points that illustrate the impact of philanthropy.
Monitor and assess stewardship efforts using data analysis to inform strategic and continuous improvements.
Oversee advancement services functions in collaboration with database and operations staff, ensuring data integrity and efficient reporting.
Ensure compliance with fiduciary responsibilities and donor intent.
Maintain and evolve policies and processes for gift acceptance, naming opportunities, and recognition signage.
Collaborate with advancement leadership to generate campaign and fundraising reports that inform strategic decision‑making.
Support the ongoing audit and enhancement of the Advancement CRM to ensure clean, reliable data and actionable insights.
Oversee interactions with endowed fund donors to share impact of their gifts and ensure alignment with Endowed Fund Agreements.
Provide strategic direction to the Special Events Manager, ensuring events align with advancement objectives.
Oversee the planning and execution of events that strengthen relationships with donors, alumnae, parents, families, and other constituents.
Ensure consistency, excellence, and creativity across event communications, print materials, and experiences.
Staff events on and occasionally off campus, completing donor stewardship meetings in person, virtually, and through travel.
Serve as the Advancement team’s liaison to the Marketing and Communications Office.
Lead strategy and content development for advancement communications, the Annual Report for Philanthropy, campaign materials, and digital engagement.
Collaborate on donor‑specific communications from the Head of School, advancement leaders, and trustees.
Develop strategic fundraising communications for prospects and toolkits for Advancement team members and volunteers focused on the priority needs of Walker’s.
Develop the comprehensive planned giving communications strategy in partnership with the Senior Director of Development and Engagement.
Create segmented messaging and compelling content that conveys the impact of giving and strengthens Walker’s culture of philanthropy.
Develop and manage budgets related to donor relations, events, and advancement communications.
Stay current on best practices and trends in fundraising, donor relations, stewardship, and campaign operations.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required; equivalent experience in advancement or nonprofit leadership may be considered.
Minimum 5 years of experience in advancement, donor relations, or a related field.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Effective strategic thinking, creative problem solving, attention to detail, and ability to identify key issues proactively.
Proven ability to formulate recommendations for change or improvement.
Keen project management skills and ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects.
Mature judgment and ability to act with discretion and confidentiality.
Aptitude for technology and efficient production of communication projects; strong knowledge of Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or comparable platforms; familiarity with databases, ideally Raisers Edge, and a project management platform.
Professional and courteous demeanor and ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and all constituents.
Ability and interest to maintain working knowledge of best practices in donor relations and stewardship.
Strong collaborator who thrives in a fast‑paced, mission‑driven environment.
Passion for education and appreciation for independent school culture.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. The Ethel Walker School is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status.
To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, and contact list of three (3) professional references in one (1) document to careers@ethelwalker.org.
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Director of Stewardship and Operations
role at
The Ethel Walker School .
The position is Full Time, Exempt, 12 Months. Supervisor: Assistant Head of School for Advancement. The Director oversees the Special Events Manager, Advancement Communications Coordinator, Advancement Associate, Advancement Research Manager, and Database Assistant.
The Director of Stewardship and Operations provides strategic oversight and leadership across key functions of the Advancement Office, including donor relations and stewardship, operations, communications, research, and special events. Reporting to the Assistant Head of School for Advancement, this leader plays a central role in strengthening constituent engagement and ensuring donors experience meaningful, high‑impact interactions that build long‑term investment in The Ethel Walker School.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive, donor‑centered stewardship program that reflects the mission and values of Walker’s.
Audit existing acknowledgment and stewardship practices; design and implement a refreshed stewardship matrix that ensures consistency, personalization, and meaningful donor recognition across all giving levels.
Oversee stewardship strategies for all levels of giving, including the 1911 Fund, endowment, capital priorities, and planned giving.
Partner with advancement leadership and school leaders to deliver customized engagement and recognition for top donors.
Develop and manage donor recognition societies and signature stewardship events.
Ensure timely and meaningful acknowledgments, reports, and touch points that illustrate the impact of philanthropy.
Monitor and assess stewardship efforts using data analysis to inform strategic and continuous improvements.
Oversee advancement services functions in collaboration with database and operations staff, ensuring data integrity and efficient reporting.
Ensure compliance with fiduciary responsibilities and donor intent.
Maintain and evolve policies and processes for gift acceptance, naming opportunities, and recognition signage.
Collaborate with advancement leadership to generate campaign and fundraising reports that inform strategic decision‑making.
Support the ongoing audit and enhancement of the Advancement CRM to ensure clean, reliable data and actionable insights.
Oversee interactions with endowed fund donors to share impact of their gifts and ensure alignment with Endowed Fund Agreements.
Provide strategic direction to the Special Events Manager, ensuring events align with advancement objectives.
Oversee the planning and execution of events that strengthen relationships with donors, alumnae, parents, families, and other constituents.
Ensure consistency, excellence, and creativity across event communications, print materials, and experiences.
Staff events on and occasionally off campus, completing donor stewardship meetings in person, virtually, and through travel.
Serve as the Advancement team’s liaison to the Marketing and Communications Office.
Lead strategy and content development for advancement communications, the Annual Report for Philanthropy, campaign materials, and digital engagement.
Collaborate on donor‑specific communications from the Head of School, advancement leaders, and trustees.
Develop strategic fundraising communications for prospects and toolkits for Advancement team members and volunteers focused on the priority needs of Walker’s.
Develop the comprehensive planned giving communications strategy in partnership with the Senior Director of Development and Engagement.
Create segmented messaging and compelling content that conveys the impact of giving and strengthens Walker’s culture of philanthropy.
Develop and manage budgets related to donor relations, events, and advancement communications.
Stay current on best practices and trends in fundraising, donor relations, stewardship, and campaign operations.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required; equivalent experience in advancement or nonprofit leadership may be considered.
Minimum 5 years of experience in advancement, donor relations, or a related field.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Effective strategic thinking, creative problem solving, attention to detail, and ability to identify key issues proactively.
Proven ability to formulate recommendations for change or improvement.
Keen project management skills and ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects.
Mature judgment and ability to act with discretion and confidentiality.
Aptitude for technology and efficient production of communication projects; strong knowledge of Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or comparable platforms; familiarity with databases, ideally Raisers Edge, and a project management platform.
Professional and courteous demeanor and ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and all constituents.
Ability and interest to maintain working knowledge of best practices in donor relations and stewardship.
Strong collaborator who thrives in a fast‑paced, mission‑driven environment.
Passion for education and appreciation for independent school culture.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. The Ethel Walker School is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status.
To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, and contact list of three (3) professional references in one (1) document to careers@ethelwalker.org.
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