Director of Development

Idyllwild Arts seeks a highly accomplished, entrepreneurial Director of Development to help build the next generation of its philanthropic program.

As the senior operational partner to the Senior Vice President, Advancement, this leader will turn strategy into consistent results: deepen relationships with donors and families, strengthen major and leadership giving, guide an effective annual-fund program, and build a disciplined fundraising pipeline that advances both immediate priorities and long-term institutional resilience.

This is a hands-on, externally oriented leadership role - not primarily an administrative position. The successful candidate will be a skilled frontline fundraiser and collaborative manager who believes in the power of arts education, can communicate institutional priorities with credibility, and thrives in a close-knit, globally diverse boarding-school community.

Work Arrangement: Southern California-based; hybrid with regular on-campus presence in Idyllwild and regional/national donor travel

Major Gifts and Donor Relationships

• Personally manage a qualified portfolio of major- and leadership-gift prospects through identification, cultivation, solicitation, negotiation, closing, and stewardship; maintain timely, substantive donor contact and documented next steps.
• Lead execution of the annual fundraising plan in collaboration with the SVPA, including prospect strategy, a reliable solicitation calendar, renewal and upgrade campaigns, donor retention, and thoughtful use of unrestricted and restricted giving opportunities.
• Develop parent and family philanthropy with sensitivity to a residential, internationally diverse school; engage current and former families in partnership with Enrollment, school leadership, and relevant staff.

Development Leadership and Execution

• Guide fundraising activity of assigned development and engagement colleagues, including the Junior Gift Officer and Alumni & Community Engagement Coordinator; establish clear plans, coaching, priorities, and performance accountability.
• Prepare donor strategies, briefings, case materials, proposals, and stewardship plans supporting the SVPA, President, and trustees; coordinate executive involvement at the right moments while respecting confidential donor relationships.
• Partner with Development Services to maintain accurate CRM activity, assigned portfolios, gift documentation, donor segmentation, monthly forecasts, and reporting that distinguishes cash, commitments, recurring support, and restricted gifts.

Institutional Collaboration and Long-Term Growth

• Coordinate with Foundation Relations, Marketing & Communications, the Office of Research & Impact, and Finance so proposals and gift opportunities are compelling, evidence-informed, feasible, accurately costed, and stewarded as promised.
• Help identify future planned, endowed, capital, and transformational-gift opportunities aligned with approved institutional priorities and sustainable ongoing costs; contribute to campaign readiness as strategy evolves.
• Represent Idyllwild Arts at student performances, exhibitions, donor visits, regional events, and advancement activities; demonstrate sound judgment, discretion, inclusion, and donor-centered service.

• Typically eight or more years of progressively responsible development experience, including demonstrated success personally soliciting and securing significant gifts and managing relationship-based fundraising programs.
• Experience leading, coaching, or mentoring development colleagues and translating revenue goals into actionable plans, portfolios, and measurable results.
• Strong writing, presentation, financial fluency, and proposal-development skills; comfortable explaining both artistic vision and the practical financial case for support.
• Fluency with donor CRM systems, prospect management, pipeline forecasting, segmentation, and ethical stewardship of confidential data.
• Ability to engage donors and families across cultures, geographies, artistic disciplines, and giving capacities; arts, education, independent school, or cultural-sector experience valued but not required.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of experience and education; ability to travel and periodically work evenings or weekends for campus and donor commitments.

• Growth in qualified major-gift opportunities, personal solicitations and closures, and a strong, predictable portfolio-based forecast.
• Increased donor retention, renewal, upgrades, parent participation, and consistent execution of annual-giving and stewardship plans.
• Clear work plans, effective coaching, and stronger coordination across frontline fundraising, engagement, operations, the President’s office, and the Academy.
• Philanthropic commitments that are aligned with approved priorities, donor intent, reporting integrity, and Idyllwild Arts’ long-term sustainability.

Idyllwild Arts Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an inclusive community. Employment is contingent upon completion of applicable school safety and background-check requirements. Reasonable accommodations are available in the application process and in employment in accordance with applicable law.