Director of Development

Director of Development

Reports To: Head of School

Supervises: Assistant Director – Advancement Services

Key Partners: Annual Fund and Donor Relations Officer, Head of School, Director of Enrollment Management, Director of Marketing and Communications, Director of Finance and Operations, Development Committee Chair

Interfaces with: Principals, Development Committee members, Board Governors, Foundation Trustees, staff, parents, consultants, and service providers

Salary Range: $160,000 – $180,000, commensurate with experience

The School

Stratford Hall, an independent K–12 IB World School, invites applications from individuals who wish to join our dynamic team. Located in Vancouver, BC, our welcoming and purposeful community is home to over 540 students and more than 100 faculty and staff. Our graduates attend top post-secondary institutions across Canada, the U.S., and abroad. Founded in 2000, Stratford Hall is one of the few IB continuum schools in Canada and has a rich tradition of educational innovation and excellence in the Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programmes.

Position Summary

The Director of Development advances the school’s mission and vision by nurturing a strong culture of philanthropy and leading successful annual and long-term fundraising initiatives. This role plays a central part in major gift cultivation, campaign strategy, and stakeholder engagement, with a focus on deepening donor relationships and strengthening community ties. The Director serves on the Senior Leadership Team and contributes to the broader leadership and management of the school.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience in fundraising or advancement in mission-driven organizations, including at least 5 years in a leadership capacity
• Proven success with major gifts and capital campaigns; experience launching or leading such campaigns is highly desirable
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree and/or CFRE designation considered assets
• Demonstrated ability to deepen a culture of philanthropy, build authentic community connections, and steward donor relationships
• Inspirational communicator, strategic storyteller, and empathetic listener
• Proactive, organized, and solutions-oriented with strong initiative and follow-through
• Adept at working across cultures and building trust within diverse communities
• Knowledge of current laws and best practices for charitable giving, gift acceptance, and fund management
• Proficient in advancement and productivity tools, including CRM platforms and donor databases
• Flexible schedule with ability to attend evening events and occasional travel
• Fluent in spoken and written English; additional languages an asset

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Development

• Lead the strategy and direction of all development efforts to engage the school community and inspire philanthropic support
• Design and execute the annual giving program, capital campaign ("Impact Tomorrow Today"), and donor stewardship plans
• Build and manage a robust major gifts program, with clear pipelines and management strategies
• Engage directly with prospective and current donors, with a primary focus on major gifts and capital campaign donors
• Develop innovative and high-impact donor engagement and fundraising tactics with internal staff and external consultants
• Plan and deliver inspiring donor and community events that cultivate belonging and generosity
• Produce clear and data-informed development reports and materials that communicate impact and progress
• Ensure donor recognition and stewardship practices are timely, thoughtful, and aligned with donor intent

Team Development & Collaboration

• Lead a high-performing advancement team with clear vision, mentorship, and growth opportunities
• Support the Assistant Director – Advancement Services in delivering systems and administrative support to all advancement streams
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Enrollment Management and Director of Marketing and Communications to align advancement with institutional strategy
• Partner with the Head of School and Development Committee Chair to support their cultivation and solicitation efforts
• Contract with and manage consultants and service providers to support fundraising and campaign efforts

School & Community Engagement

• Build authentic relationships with faculty, students, families, alumni, trustees, and community stakeholders
• Develop a deep understanding of student learning experiences and success stories to effectively articulate the school’s impact
• Actively participate in school events, Board meetings, and committee work as required
• Represent Stratford Hall in external forums, networks, and professional associations
• Monitor and mitigate risks to the school’s development program, finances, and reputation

Cross-School Leadership

• Align development activities with the school’s strategic plan and annual goals
• Contribute meaningfully to Senior Leadership Team goals, discussions, planning, and decisions
• Promote a student-centered, values-driven culture across all initiatives
• Champion innovation and continuous improvement within the development office
• Other responsibilities as assigned

Benefits

• The base salary range for this position is $160,000 – $180,000 per year and a generous benefit package.
• Position type: Full-Time, Permanent and On-Site.
• Location: Vancouver, BC

Equity and Inclusion Statement

We are committed to supporting a diverse and inclusive workforce by ensuring a barrier-free work environment. We welcome applications from all qualified job seekers, including applicants from historically underrepresented groups such as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour), persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals (persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities). If you are an applicant with a disability and require accommodation in either the recruitment process or on the job, we will work together with you to provide the reasonable workplace accommodations you need.

Application deadline: We are accepting rolling applications until the position is filled.

Check the status of the search process here