About West Sound Academy

West Sound Academy (WSA) is an independent International Baccalaureate (IB) World School serving students in grades 6–12 on a beautiful 20-acre campus in Poulsbo, Washington. Guided by the belief that students learn best when they are known, challenged, and supported, WSA provides an education that develops critical thinkers, compassionate leaders, and engaged global citizens.

As the only independent IB school serving Kitsap County and the surrounding region, WSA combines rigorous academics with meaningful relationships, student agency, creativity, and experiential learning. Our mission is to cultivate a passion for lifelong learning while empowering students to think boldly, act ethically, and make a meaningful impact on their communities and the wider world.

West Sound Academy is entering an exciting period of strategic growth and transformation. We are seeking a dynamic, relationship-centered Director of Development to help strengthen our culture of philanthropy, expand community engagement, and secure the philanthropic resources necessary to advance the school’s mission and long-term sustainability.

Position Overview

The Director of Development leads all aspects of fundraising, donor engagement, and philanthropic strategy. Working closely with the Head of School, Board of Trustees, volunteers, alumni, parents, grandparents, and community partners, the Director of Development will build meaningful relationships and create a sustainable fundraising program that supports the school’s strategic priorities.

This role is ideal for a builder who enjoys creating systems, developing compelling cases for support, and helping a growing school realize its vision.

Why This Role Is Unique

This is an opportunity to shape the future of a growing independent school at a pivotal moment in its history.

At West Sound Academy, philanthropy is deeply connected to mission. The Director of Development will play a central role in helping the school increase access, strengthen programming, invest in faculty and facilities, and ensure long-term sustainability. In a small, collaborative environment, this individual will be able to make a visible, measurable impact by working directly with school leadership, trustees, donors, and families.

The successful candidate will help build a stronger culture of philanthropy and create the systems and relationships that will support the school for years to come.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Advancement Planning

• Develop and implement a comprehensive annual development plan aligned with the school’s strategic priorities and fundraising goals.
• Partner with the Head of School and Board of Trustees to establish philanthropic priorities and advancement strategies.
• Partner with trustees to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective donors and strengthen trustee engagement in fundraising efforts.
• Build annual and multi-year fundraising goals, benchmarks, and performance metrics.
• Provide regular progress reports and fundraising analysis to school leadership and the Board.

Major Gifts & Donor Relations

• Develop and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors and prospective donors.
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for major gift prospects.
• Partner with the Head of School and trustees on major gift strategy, donor engagement, and gift solicitations.
• Build meaningful relationships with parents, grandparents, alumni, foundations, and community supporters.
• Ensure timely donor recognition, stewardship, and impact reporting.

Annual Fund & Community Giving

• Plan and execute the school’s Annual Fund and other annual giving initiatives.
• Increase participation and philanthropic engagement among current families, alumni, faculty, staff, and trustees.
• Create compelling cases for support that clearly communicate the impact of giving.
• Coordinate donor appeals, giving campaigns, and stewardship communications.

Events & Community Engagement

• Lead development-related events, including donor cultivation events, fundraising events, and community engagement opportunities.
• Support and strengthen the fundraising components of major school events.
• Work collaboratively with volunteers and committees to expand community involvement and philanthropic support.
• Serve as an ambassador for the school within the broader community.
• Develop relationships with local businesses, community organizations, and corporate partners to expand philanthropic support and community engagement.

Foundation & Grant Development

• Research, prepare, and submit grant proposals to foundations, corporations, and community organizations.
• Develop and maintain relationships with foundation representatives and grant partners.
• Ensure accurate grant reporting and compliance with funding requirements.

Advancement Operations & Data Management

• Maintain donor records and advancement systems with accuracy and integrity.
• Track fundraising progress, donor engagement, and campaign performance.
• Develop reporting tools and dashboards that support strategic decision-making.
• Manage the development budget and ensure responsible stewardship of resources.

Marketing & Advancement Communications

• Partner with the Communications Team and Head of School to develop advancement messaging and donor communications.
• Support fundraising storytelling through impact reports, donor communications, newsletters, and digital content.
• Help articulate the school’s vision, priorities, and impact to current and prospective supporters.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as a member of the school’s leadership team.
• Collaborate closely with enrollment, marketing, finance, and academic leadership.
• Foster and strengthen a culture of philanthropy by engaging trustees, parents, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members as partners in advancing the school’s mission.

First-Year Priorities

During the first year, the Director of Development will focus on:

• Strengthening and growing the Annual Fund.
• Expanding the major gift pipeline and increasing donor engagement.
• Building a comprehensive donor stewardship and recognition program.
• Developing a multi-year advancement plan aligned with the school’s strategic priorities.
• Increasing alumni and community engagement.
• Partnering with the Head of School and Board of Trustees to strengthen a culture of philanthropy throughout the school community.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Three or more years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, advancement, development, or nonprofit leadership, with demonstrated success in relationship-based fundraising, donor cultivation, and/or major gift work.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
• Commitment to the mission and values of independent school education.

Preferred

• Experience in an independent school, nonprofit, higher education, or mission-driven organization.
• Experience working with boards, volunteers, and major donors.
• Knowledge of data management and fundraising best practices.
• Experience using donor management and CRM platforms to support fundraising, stewardship, reporting, and prospect management.
• Experience with annual giving campaigns, grants, and stewardship programs.
• Familiarity with International Baccalaureate education or independent schools.

What This Role Requires

Strategic & Entrepreneurial Leadership

• Ability to think strategically while executing effectively.
• Comfort building systems, processes, and relationships in a growing organization.
• Initiative, creativity, and a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and balance strategic initiatives with hands-on execution in a small-school environment.

Relationship Building & Communication

• Exceptional relationship-building skills and emotional intelligence.
• Confidence in engaging with diverse stakeholders and communicating a compelling vision.
• Ability to inspire generosity through authentic connection and storytelling.

Professionalism & Mission Alignment

• High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism.
• Commitment to collaboration, continuous improvement, and lifelong learning.
• Enthusiasm for the mission of West Sound Academy and the transformative impact of education.

Application Details

This is a full-time, 12-month position based in Poulsbo, Washington. The anticipated salary range is $70,000–$90,000, commensurate with experience, qualifications, and demonstrated success in advancement and fundraising leadership.

West Sound Academy offers a competitive benefits package for eligible full-time employees, including medical, dental, and vision insurance. Some flexibility for remote work is available; however, regular on-campus presence and participation in school events, donor meetings, and community activities are expected.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, résumé, and three professional references to [email protected].