Director of Advancement

The Williston Northampton School is an independent, coeducational boarding school for 420 students in grades 9 through 12. Approximately 70% are boarding students and 30% are day students, with students matriculating from 25 states and 28 countries. Seventy-five students also attend Williston’s Middle School in grades 7 and 8. The school is located in Easthampton, Massachusetts on a beautiful 125-acre campus with 50 separate buildings in the heart of the historic Pioneer Valley in scenic Western Massachusetts. The campus is located within the Five-College area which includes Mt. Holyoke College, Amherst College, Smith College, Hampshire College and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Robert W. Hill III was appointed as the nineteenth Head of School, effective July 1, 2010. Ninety-six teaching faculty also act as dorm parents, advisors, and coaches, with 75 percent holding advanced degrees. The endowment currently stands at $41 million. Williston has a $28 million operating budget with $6.7 million dedicated for financial aid. The annual fund raised $2.24 million in 2019-20 and other gifts averaging $4 million annually since 2017. There are currently 7,000 solicitable alumni and 1,800 friends and parents.  www.williston.com

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Director of Advancement will oversee and manage the day-to-day operations of the Advancement Program, with an emphasis on broadening the major gifts pool and campaign management. The Director of Advancement will work closely with the Chief Advancement Officer to sustain a strategic, integrated program of major gifts, annual giving, alumni engagement, and advancement services, as well as support the efforts of high-level volunteers including trustees. The primary responsibilities of this position include strategic planning, disciplined organization and implementation of all initiatives that are part of the comprehensive campaign and the major gifts program, front-line major gift fundraising with high-level solicitations, and effective leadership and management of staff. The Director of Advancement will manage, lead and coach three gift officers, the Director of Advancement Services and Research, Director of Alumni Engagement, and Director of Annual Giving. This position will also serve as a key partner with the Director of Communications. The new hire must possess excellent judgment, knowledge about best advancement practices, and exceptional fundraising and campaign skill – particularly in leadership/planned giving and the design/implementation of effective cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies.

This opportunity is available immediately upon the identification of the successful candidate.

For a full search description highlighting the opportunities and challenges of this high visibility opportunity, including required academic credentials, skill sets and work experiences required, visit: https://deerfieldassociates.com/williston-northampton-school/

Williston Northampton School offers a dynamic and supportive work environment, competitive salaries and a generous benefits package including medical plans, a retirement plan and paid vacation. Williston Northampton School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To explore this superb career opportunity on a highly confidential basis please send your resume, letter of interest, along with a list of references (which will only be contacted if mutual interest is determined) to: Doug Cooney, Executive Search Consultant, DEERFIELD ASSOCIATES Executive Search, Inc.  572 Washington Street, Suite 15, Wellesley, MA  02482 Telephone: 781-237-2800.  Email: [email protected]