Director of Development

About St. Mary’s Episcopal School

St. Mary's Episcopal School is an independent Christian School located in Edmond, Oklahoma. It specializes in educating children ages 2.5 through 5th grade, offering exceptional early childhood and elementary programming designed to help each child achieve his or her personal best. St. Mary's is fully accredited by the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools, which is recognized by the National Association of Independent Schools and the State of Oklahoma.

Position Summary

The Director of Development (DoD) serves as the strategic and operational leader of St. Mary’s advancement efforts. As a key member of the leadership team, the DoD is responsible for building meaningful relationships, inspiring philanthropy, and securing the resources that sustain and strengthen St. Mary’s mission—To Provide Quality Academic Programs in an Environment Fostering Respect for Faith, Family, Others, and Self.

The DoD oversees all aspects of development, including the annual fund, major and planned giving, stewardship, and donor relations, while fostering a culture of gratitude and generosity among parents, alumni, faculty, and friends of the school.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with the mission and vision of St. Mary’s.

Annual Fund: Oversee all aspects of the Annual Fund, ensuring strong participation and consistent year-over-year growth.

Major & Planned Giving: Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors. Develop strategies for leadership giving and long-term support.

Community Engagement: Build strong relationships across the school community—parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends—to deepen connection and engagement.

Stewardship & Donor Relations: Ensure timely recognition, meaningful reporting, and personalized appreciation for all donors.

Collaboration: Partner with the Head of School, Board of Trustees, and Advancement Committee to align fundraising with school priorities.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred. CFRE Designation preferred.

3-5 years of progressive fundraising experience, ideally within independent schools or nonprofits.

Proven success in major gifts and annual giving leadership.

Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and organizational skills.

A heart for mission, community, and the spiritual formation of children.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range: $85,000-$100,000, commensurate with experience.

Dedicated Professional Development budget.

Comprehensive benefits include health insurance, retirement plan, and paid time off.