At Pacifica Christian High School, we teach our students to think and live well.
We do this by providing a college-preparatory, liberal arts education for students from all backgrounds and neighborhoods.
Engaging students’ minds to think well and shaping their hearts prepares them to enjoy an abundant life. Thinking and living well is about making connections—both intellectual and relational. It provides students with a fuller understanding of what it means to be human and provides them the freedom to find their place in God’s created world.
Our students are free to live out their stories, fully becoming who God desires them to be. We provide students with opportunities that will change them for the better–by challenging and maturing them. We desire our students to be more purposeful and courageous, more joyful and committed—prepared for all that God offers in their lives.
Learning to think and live well is a life-long process. But both the process—or even adventure—and the outcome produce joy. As such, we view a good education as an end unto itself. At the same time, a Pacifica education provides tangible benefits, like preparation for college, career, family, and service to the church and community. By approaching education as a joy-instilling, freedom-producing journey, we provide our graduates with a foundation for success in college, life, work, and faith.
Core Beliefs
Pacifica's Core Beliefs and Approach to Teaching and Learning serve to provide clarity who we are including our mission, purpose, and approach to student formation. Please read this document and use it to respond to questions in the application.
Position Overview:
The Director of Stewardship and Events is responsible for managing and executing a comprehensive stewardship program, ensuring that donors and supporters feel valued and appreciated for their contributions. In addition, this position will oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of major fundraising and community-building events, including but not limited to the C.S. Lewis Dinner, Legacy Breakfast honoring leadership donors, TCG events, the annual BLOOM event, giving society events, and the various graduation and dedication events. The role requires a highly organized, proactive, and relational leader who can work collaboratively with school leadership, the advancement team, faculty, and volunteers to promote a culture of giving and engagement. This position reports to the Director of Development and interacts closely with varied stakeholders across the organization.
Key Responsibilities:
Stewardship:
- Develop and implement a comprehensive stewardship program to ensure that donors, alumni, parents, and other supporters feel recognized and appreciated for their contributions to our vibrantly Christ-centered community.
- Oversee the creation and distribution of donor communications, including thank-you letters, impact reports, and personalized notes of appreciation.
- Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key donors, alumni, and families to encourage long-term giving and engagement.
- Engage with the Head of School and Director of Development to tailor individual stewardship experiences with major and transformational donors.
- Collaborate with the development team to track and analyze donor giving patterns, ensuring appropriate acknowledgment and follow-up.
Event Planning and Management:
- Plan, organize, and execute major school events, with emphasis on fundraising and community-building events (C.S. Lewis Dinner, Legacy Breakfast, TGC, BLOOM, and dedication and commencement week activities).
- Work closely with school leadership and other departments to ensure that events align with the mission, vision, and values of Pacifica Christian High School.
- Oversee event logistics, including venue selection, vendor management, budgeting, guest lists, invitations, and event-day coordination.
- Collaborate with the Marketing and Communication Strategist to promote events through various channels, including social media, email, and printed materials. And ensure that all event communication remains consistent with the overall strategy of the school.
- Recruit, train, and supervise event volunteers, ensuring a positive experience for all participants and a seamless event execution.
Donor Relations and Engagement:
- Build and maintain relationships with key donors and supporters, ensuring they are well-informed about the school’s progress, student achievements, and specific funding needs.
- Support the Head of School and Advancement team in cultivating relationships with high-net-worth individuals and other strategic partners.
- Work with the communications team to develop compelling stories and content to highlight the impact of donations on student life and academic success.
Administrative and Other Duties:
- Assist Database Manager in maintaining accurate donor records and stewardship logs to track engagement and ensure follow-up communications are timely and personalized.
- Prepare reports for leadership, including event summaries, donor recognition efforts, and fundraising outcomes.
- Stay current on best practices in donor stewardship and event management to continuously improve processes and engagement strategies.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree required; a degree in nonprofit management, business, communications, or a related field is preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in donor stewardship, event planning, or advancement work, preferably in a school or nonprofit environment.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including donors, families, alumni, volunteers, and staff.
- Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
- A passion for education and an understanding of Christian values and the mission of Pacifica Christian High School.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends as necessary for event planning and execution.
- Experience with fundraising software, donor management systems, and event planning tools is a plus.
Personal Attributes:
- Strong servant-leader mentality with a desire to inspire and engage others.
- Detail-oriented and proactive, with a focus on creating memorable and impactful experiences for donors and event attendees.
- Collaborative team player who works well in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Integrity, professionalism, and discretion in handling sensitive information and relationships.