Director of Development

The Davis Academy, an independent school, Kindergarten Prep – Eighth Grade, in Dunwoody/Sandy Springs seeks an experienced Director of Development.

The Director of Development serves as a senior leader within the Office of Advancement, responsible for advancing the school’s philanthropic vision and strengthening the relationships that sustain and grow its mission.

Working closely with the Chief Advancement Officer, this individual will lead the strategy and execution of comprehensive development initiatives that deepen engagement and inspire philanthropic investment from parents, grandparents, alumni, and the broader community.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the school’s annual giving program, including goal setting, volunteer engagement, donor segmentation, and multi-channel outreach to increase participation and support across all constituencies.
• Manage a portfolio of leadership and major gift prospects, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Collaborate with the Chief Advancement Officer and school leadership to develop individualized strategies for high-capacity donors and prospective supporters.
• Recruit, guide, and inspire volunteer leaders, trustees, and community ambassadors who advocate for the school and support fundraising efforts.
• Provide strategic oversight of engagement initiatives and signature events, including donor recognition gatherings, cultivation receptions, Grandparent programs, the annual Golf Tournament, Community Celebrations, and campaign-related activities.
• Develop and lead a strategic alumni engagement program, including communications, events, volunteer leadership, and general outreach to foster lifelong connections with the school and increase alumni participation, philanthropic support, and community involvement.
• Provide leadership support for outreach and donor engagement related to the Georgia GOAL Tax Credit Scholarship Program.
• Work closely with the Marketing and Communications team to align development messaging with broader school communications, including donor materials, stewardship reporting, and impact storytelling.
• Use data and engagement metrics to inform strategy, track progress, and evaluate the effectiveness of development initiatives.
• Ensure strong data management practices within the school’s CRM to support prospect tracking, donor engagement, and reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree a plus.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in development, fundraising, advancement, or nonprofit leadership; independent school experience a plus.
• Demonstrated success in cultivating and soliciting major gifts and building strong donor relationships.
• Experience developing and executing fundraising strategies that increase philanthropic participation and revenue.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to engage trustees, volunteers, and senior leadership.
• Excellent relationship-building and interpersonal skills with confidence interacting with donors and community partners.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Experience with CRM/database systems such as Raiser’s Edge, Veracross, or similar platforms.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• This is an in-person position based on campus and requires on-site presence five days per week.
• Occasional evening and weekend availability required.