Annual Fund Director

Riverdale Country School is a Pre-K through grade 12 independent school in New York City committed to empowering lifelong learners by developing minds, building character, and creating community in order to change our world for the good. Riverdale seeks to reflect that belonging is the foundational core of community building in how we work collaboratively and support the school’s mission and empowers all community members to thrive in mind, character, and community. Riverdale enrolls about 1,300 students who collectively reside in 117 different zip codes. 

We seek to employ people who engage in all aspects of work with a student-centered approach, an open mind, passion, and a willingness to support the greater community. 

Job Overview:

Under the dynamic and inspiring leadership of Head of School, Kari Ostrem, now in her second year, this is an excellent time to join the Development Office at Riverdale. The Annual Fund Director reports to the Executive Director of Development and works closely with the Chief Development Officer to develop and implement a strategic vision for our annual cycle of philanthropy. The Director is responsible for maintaining and growing a robust $6.5M annual fund that is crucial to Riverdale’s annual budget. Deep volunteer management, as well as annual fund experience, will be essential to success in this role.

• Lead a comprehensive fundraising program to meet annual fundraising goals.
• Execute individual solicitations, either independently or in collaboration with Trustees or parent volunteers.
• Develop a segmentation plan, draft solicitations, and create other Annual Fund materials.
• Work with the alumni team to support a Reunion giving program.

• Recruit, develop, manage, and train a cadre of parent Annual Fund volunteers.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders, including Trustees and parent volunteers, to maximize fundraising efforts.

• Envision, design, and implement events that foster community engagement while supporting annual giving.
• Support various development team events as needed.
• Limited travel opportunities for alumni events and visits.

• Develop a stewardship plan to recognize and thank Annual Fund donors
• Maintain strong communication with major gifts and campaign staff to ensure a cohesive donor experience.
• Partner with the Executive Director of Development on the annual Report of Gifts.

• Create reports on the status of the Annual Fund, tracking year-over-year progress.
• Partner with the Assistant Director of Development Database
• Management to ensure accurate gift entry, pledge reminders, and acknowledgments.

• Maintain open communication with various departments to ensure alignment in fundraising efforts.
• Support a positive and collaborative office and school culture by bringing a sense of humor and joy to work.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Excellent leadership skills with proven experience building a positive work culture
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in independent school development
• A deep understanding of annual giving programsExceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work with confidential material
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• The position requires some travel, occasional weekend work, and light physical activity.
• Experience in an educational setting, particularly in independent schools, is highly desirable.

To apply for this position, please click on the red “Apply for this Job” button. Please submit a resume and cover letter.  If there are pronouns we should use in potential future communications, we invite you to share that information with us.  For information about this position and all open positions, please visit the Careers page of Riverdale’s website.

Benefits of Full Time Work at Riverdale Country School

Working at Riverdale Country School is a purposeful and meaningful career choice that comes with many benefits including:  

Transportation: Shuttle service is available to/from the 242nd St / Broadway subway station. Limited stops are also available near transit hubs in Manhattan including the Metro North Harlem Station and subway lines – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, A, B, C, and D. If there is need in the community, we can also run a shuttle from the Henry Hudson Parkway / 246th St bus stop which connects to the #7, #10, and Express Buses to/from Manhattan.

Professional Development: A generous professional-development budget provides for conferences, skills training, and onsite training in areas such as mindfulness, coaching, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Grants and Stipends: All employees are eligible for Frankel Fellow grants, known as “passion grants,” which pay for enrichment activities. More than 120 grants have been made to faculty and staff since the program started in 2014. Stipends are available for coaching, affinity group facilitation, advising clubs with significant out-of-school time, and chaperoning trips (including global trips!).

Sabbatical:  Full time teaching faculty are eligible for a sabbatical after 10 years of employment.  

Health Benefits: Riverdale offers and subsidizes health, dental, and vision insurance.  In addition, the school offers a flexible spending account through which employees can use pre-tax dollars to pay for health-related expenses.  

Retirement:  Employees are eligible to join our Defined Contribution retirement plan through TIAA.  The school contributes 7% of an employee's annual salary to their retirement account.  

Vacation:  Riverdale Country School has a generous time-off policy for staff in addition to vacations afforded by the school calendar.