Riverdale Country School, a Pre-K through Grade 12 independent all-gender school in New York City, is dedicated to inspiring students to live meaningful and purpose-driven lives. The school achieves this by fostering a culture of academic excellence, critical thinking, and curiosity, supported by a diverse and inclusive community. Riverdale emphasizes both high challenge and high support in its approach to education, encouraging students to engage deeply in interdisciplinary learning, research, and experiential education, both inside and outside the classroom and beyond our campuses. This holistic approach aims to develop well-rounded individuals who are prepared to make a positive impact on the world.At Riverdale, we strive to reflect the diversity of the New York metropolitan area in our students, faculty, and staff. We believe that a diverse and inclusive community enriches the educational experience and is integral to our mission. With a student body of approximately 1,300 students from 117 different zip codes, Riverdale is a vibrant community where 48% of our students identify as students of color. We seek to employ educators and leaders who bring a student-centered approach, passion for their work, a commitment to DEIB, and a desire to contribute to the growth and development of our entire school 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 Director of Alumni Engagement works closely with the Chief Development Officer and Executive Director of Development to develop and implement key fundraising initiatives, engage constituents, and arrange events with intention. The Director will lead a team of two in all alumni efforts, supervising the Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement. Riverdale is positioned to enhance its Development efforts by expanding a team of seven to provide exceptional support to all students, instructors, and staff. The Director of Alumni Engagement will help develop a major donations strategy, coordinate regional alumni relations, craft a comprehensive reunion engagement and fundraising plan in concert with the Assistant Director, and oversee the recruitment, training, and management of volunteers.
Job Summary:Riverdale Country School is seeking a seasoned fundraising professional with more than 8 years of experience in development work, particularly within independent schools and the philanthropic landscape of New York City. This role demands a comprehensive understanding of various development functions, including alumni relations, annual giving, capital campaigns, major gifts, prospect research, communications, and special events. As a front-line fundraiser and stakeholder in the office, the Director of Alumni Engagement will excel in building deep and authentic relationships with a diverse array of stakeholders, including alumni, parents, donors, and community partners. They will have experience in major and capital gift fundraising and be adept at using technology and databases to support these efforts. The Director of Alumni Engagement will supervise both staff and volunteers, demonstrating strong leadership and organizational skills. A key aspect of the role is the ability to cultivate and build strong, genuine relationships across the school community, fostering an inclusive environment. The Director of Alumni Engagement must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, maintain confidentiality, and operate both independently and as part of a team. They should bring a sense of humor and joy to their work, contributing to a positive and collaborative school culture.Strategic Planning and Execution:
- Develop and implement a strategic engagement plan to strengthen relationships with key stakeholders in the alumni community.
- Identify and pursue opportunities for partnership and collaboration with alumni to enhance the school's profile and impact.
- Collaborate with the Head of School, Chief Development Officer, and other senior leaders to align engagement strategies with the school's overall strategic goals.
Alumni Relations:
- Create and execute programs to foster strong connections with alumni, encouraging lifelong engagement with the school.
- Organize alumni events, reunions, and networking opportunities to promote active alumni participation.
- Develop and manage an alumni communications plan, including newsletters, social media, and other outreach efforts.
Past Parent Engagement:
- Strengthen relationships with current and past parents, ensuring they are informed and engaged with the school's initiatives and activities.
- Develop programs and events to foster a sense of community and belonging for alumni and their families.
Fundraising and Development:
- Support fundraising efforts, including annual giving, major gifts, and capital campaigns.
- Cultivate and steward relationships with donors and potential supporters to enhance philanthropic support for the school.
- Plan and execute alumni events and initiatives that align with the school's strategic priorities.
Communications and Marketing:
- Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy to effectively promote the school's mission, programs, and achievements to our alumni body.
- Ensure consistent and effective messaging across all communication channels.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum of 8 years of experience in strategic engagement, development, alumni relations, or related fields.
- Proven track record of developing and implementing successful engagement and fundraising strategies.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
- 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 and light physical activity.
- Experience in an educational setting, particularly in independent schools, is highly desirable.
$125,000 - $140,000 a yearTo 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 SchoolWorking 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.