Posted: 02-Jul-25
Location: Columbia, Missouri
Type: Full Time
Preferred Education:
Position: Development and Events Officer
Reports to: Head of School
About CIS
CIS is a college preparatory independent school with a rich history of whole-child education and a global perspective. The focus of the curriculum is to provide an individualized educational experience for each student and to foster the pursuit of excellence and joy in learning and living. Class sizes are intentionally small to facilitate high quality teaching and mentorship.
Job Summary
The Development and Events Officer oversees fundraising activities, including the CIS Pride Fund annual campaign, special events such as the Gala and Spaghetti Supper, and works closely with the Parent Association to facilitate events and promote a connected community. The Coordinator will work with staff and volunteers to execute philanthropic goals, and build relationships with current and former parents, students, alumni, and the wider community of Columbia.
CIS seeks an engaging and dynamic leader who will embrace the mission of the school, represent the school’s values to external constituencies, and partner with the Head of School and Board of Trustees to realize the school’s strategic goals.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Maintain an annual advancement plan, including a timeline of events, financial and participation goals, volunteer needs, and stewardship activities.
- Maintain a stewardship plan that recognizes donors on an annual basis, encourages future increased levels of giving, and nurtures donor relationships.
- Manage annual fund solicitation.
- Oversee donor database and giving records to ensure that proper processes are in place for providing acknowledgements/receipts to donors with assistance of Executive Assistant.
- Maintain a plan for volunteer recognition.
- Develop a plan for connecting with and soliciting support from Alumni in conjunction with the Communications and Advancement Assistant and Director of Admissions and Marketing.
- Oversee the annual Spaghetti Supper and Gala, working with the head of school, staff, and parent volunteers.
- Coordinate pickleball tournament, overseeing sponsorships, teams, and event coordination.
- Prepare solicitation material, including direct mail.
Other Duties
- Serve as a liaison for the Board of Trustees Development Committee, Parent Association, and the Alumni Association.
- Oversee Parent Association activities, including the school spirit store.
- Keep the Head of School informed on a weekly basis of fundraising activities and provide monthly reports for the head of school and the board of trustees regarding advancement activities.
- Represent the school at social and community events related to the advancement of the school.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of School.
- Support the school and its leadership.
- Requires some work in the evenings and weekends.
Qualifications and Experience
- Candidate must have a proven track record of fundraising or event planning. Minimum of 3-5 years of development experience preferred.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Collaborative skills to work effectively with the head of school, trustees, faculty, staff and volunteers.
- Excellent understanding of principles and techniques of development activities, including annual giving, event planning, marketing and communications.
- Innovative and creative problem solving approach.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking.
Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and a resume or CV via email to resumes@cislions.org.