Reports To: Head of School
Classification: Full-Time, Exempt
School Overview
The Children's School, an independent school located in La Jolla, California, inspires children from toddlers through grade eight with a rich academic and social curriculum. The Children's School is accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools. To learn more about The Children’s School, please visit www.tcslj.org .
Position Summary
The Director of Development is a strategic and relationship-driven leader responsible for designing, implementing, and managing a comprehensive fundraising program to support the school’s mission and long-term sustainability. This individual works closely with the Head of School, Leadership Team, and parent community to cultivate a culture of philanthropy and secure annual, major, and planned gifts.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and execute a comprehensive development plan aligned with the school’s strategic priorities
- Partner with the Head of School and Director of Finance to set and achieve annual fundraising goals
- Lead and support Board development committee
- Oversee all aspects of the Annual Fund, including strategy, messaging, and volunteer engagement
- Cultivate and steward major gift prospects and donors
- Manage donor relations and stewardship programs to ensure strong retention and engagement
- Build meaningful relationships with parents, alumni, grandparents, and community partners
- Support and enhance a culture of giving across all constituencies
- Collaborate with admissions and communications to ensure consistent messaging and brand alignment
- Oversee fundraising events, including gala and donor gatherings
- Partner on development-related communications, including newsletters, impact reports, and campaigns
- Manage development office operations, including database oversight, gift processing, and reporting
- Supervise development staff and coordinate volunteer efforts
- Track and analyze fundraising performance metrics
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
- 5+ years of progressive experience in fundraising, preferably in an independent school or nonprofit setting
- Proven success in major gifts, annual giving, and campaign management
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
- Ability to engage and inspire a wide range of stakeholders
- High level of discretion, professionalism, and integrity
- Passion for independent school education and child development
- Experience working with boards and volunteer leadership
- Strategic thinker with a hands-on, collaborative approach
$140,000 - $200,000
Competitive compensation package, including health benefits, retirement plan, and professional development opportunities.
To Apply
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of references to John Fowler, Head of School. [email protected]
Minimum three years experience in development with an independent school or non-profit organization.
About the company
Company website•Education Administration Programs
In 1970, our founder Lila McDill had one vision: children learn by doing. Today, The Children’s School is an age 3 - grade 8 school located in the heart of Midtown, empowering students to dive in headfirst, hands-on and open-hearted into the grand lifelong adventure that is learning.
At TCS, we know that play is serious learning. We embrace play in everything we do because it is essential to intellectual, social, emotional, physical and cultural development.
As our students grow, learning through play becomes learning playfully. Through immersive project-based learning, we design projects around real-world problems facing our community to help students learn in a more meaningful way and tackle the kinds of questions that can’t be answered by Google.
Learning takes courage. Our diverse, joyful and nurturing community shows up as their authentic selves everyday, encourages risk-taking and challenges our learners to academic excellence, noble character and emotional maturity, preparing them to make an impact on an ever-changing world.
Learn more at tcsatl.org.