Reporting to the Assistant Headmaster for Advancement and Strategic Initiatives, the Director of Donor Engagement leads the communications efforts of the Office of Advancement and is the primary person responsible for content development of Office of Advancement communication pieces. The Director of Donor Engagement crafts compelling appeals, alumni-focused communications, proposals, and in-depth profiles about Pennington to help strengthen relationships throughout the community as well as strengthen the culture of philanthropy at the School.  

Essential Responsibilities:

• With the Assistant Headmaster for Advancement and Strategic Initiatives, create a communications strategy that considers the needs of different constituencies (alumni according to graduating year, donors, parents, prospective donors and parents, volunteers, etc.)
• Serve as the primary liaison between the School’s Office of Communications and Marketing and the Office of Advancement to implement and coordinate consistency of messages, branding, and design
• Provide expertise and tactical support for alumni and parent relations and donor recognition communications to help engage volunteers, alumni, parents, and prospective donors
• Collaborate with the Director of the Pennington Fund and the Director of Major Gifts to develop compelling materials, including Pennington Fund appeals and thank yous, planned giving appeals, and giving proposals
• Provide content for the School’s bi-annual magazine by identifying story opportunities that support the School’s core values and fundraising priorities
• Collaborate with the Office of Communications and Marketing on the School’s Annual Report on Giving: write editorial, create visuals, and collect photography; gather lists of donors from relevant sources (Pennington Fund, Parents for Pennington, planned giving, scholarships, and Gifts in Kind)
• Participate in ongoing department-wide efforts such as Homecoming Weekend, Alumni Weekend, regional receptions, and other special events as needed
• Create and manage a system of prospect identification for grant requests to foundations
• Serve as project leader for developing proposals to foundations in support of School fundraising objectives, providing materials required for each grant submission
•     Submit and track progress on foundation proposals
•   Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
•     Other duties as needed

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, English, journalism or a related field is required with 5+ years of professional experience, preferably in education;
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills; ability to write for both general and targeted audiences; understanding of how to inspire alumni, donors, and parents through compelling storytelling;
• Command of the English language including composition and grammar; a strong understanding of both the Associated Press and University of Chicago styles;
• Exceptional interpersonal communications skills (interviewing, speaking, listening, and understanding);
• Demonstrable skills in project management, including execution within deadlines and budget;
• Fluency with office software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint;
• Proven ability to work effectively with a variety of individuals, both internal (senior leadership, faculty, and students) and external (freelancers, designers, photographers, and printers)

Founded in 1838, The Pennington School is an independent, coeducational school serving day and boarding students in grades 6 through 12. Total student enrollment is approximately 510, of which 25% are boarding students. Located in Pennington, NJ, the campus is nestled on 54 green acres with a warm and welcoming community. About half of our faculty live on campus and have residential responsibilities

The Pennington School does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, military service, or any other characteristics or activity protected by law.

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, résumé, and salary requirements by email to: [email protected].