The Advancement and Community Engagement Coordinator supports the Advancement Office by managing donor data, assisting with communications, processing donations and acknowledgment letters, and helping coordinate fundraising initiatives. This role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, flexibility, and the ability to collaborate effectively in a fast-paced school environment.

In addition, the coordinator plays a key role in planning and executing a wide range of events throughout the school year. These events engage students, parents, alumni, and the broader community. The position works cross-departmentally to ensure all events are well-organized, aligned with institutional goals, and are successfully executed.

Primary Responsibilities – Advancement

• Database Management: Maintain and update accurate records in the CRM database (e.g., eTapestry, Raiser's Edge, Blackbaud) for donors, alumni, and prospective families.
• Gift Processing & Stewardship: Process, record, and track all donations; generate acknowledgment letters and thank-you communications in a timely manner.
• Donor Outreach: Support the execution of the Annual Fund and other fundraising initiatives, including preparing solicitation materials, tracking campaign progress, and coordinating communications.
• Communications & Stewardship: Respond to donor and alumni inquiries via email and phone; assist with donor cultivation, appeals, and stewardship efforts.
• Event Coordination: Assist with planning, setup, and staffing of development and student events (e.g., Gala, Giving Tuesday, SMS Gives Back, donor receptions), including backend management of auction platforms, ticketing, and donations.
• Data Reporting: Generate reports on fundraising progress and provide trend analysis.
• Business Office Reconciliation: Coordinate gift entry and reconciliation with the Business Office to ensure accuracy and alignment with donor intent.
• Annual Report: Support the design and production of the annual donor report.

Community Events & Engagement Coordination

Provide administrative and logistical support to multiple departments in the planning, coordination, and execution of community events throughout the academic year. This role serves as a point of organization, ensuring that event details are managed efficiently and that communication with other departments is clear.

Specific tasks include managing event set-up and breakdown, coordinating catering needs and confirming arrangements with Dining Services, consulting with the Community Life director on event details and staffing assignments, coordinating student transportation and ensuring all necessary materials, spaces, and resources are secured in advance.

• Registration Day & Student Orientation (Fall & Winter Terms)
• Field Trips
• Dances
• Dorm Weekend Activity Planning
• Holiday Events (Halloween, Holiday Dinner)
• 8th Grade Special Events (including Winter Term Farewell Party, 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony)
• Parents Weekend Events (including Prom, Undergraduate Awards Ceremony)
• SMS Gives Back (Advancement)
• Sports Awards Ceremonies
• Spring Carnival
• Head of School Dinner & Graduation
• Senior Trip

Who We Are:

Stratton Mountain School is a winter sports academy based at Stratton Mountain in the heart of Southern Vermont’s Green Mountains. Our community of students, teachers, coaches, and administrators share the pursuit of excellence in education and sport. As a community, we are committed to instilling our BEARS values (bravery, effort, accountability, respect and strength) in our students through education, responsibility, and kindness. SMS is a caring and thoughtful organization committed to the lives of our employees. We offer a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance plans designed to fit the needs of our faculty and staff. We focus on the professional development of our faculty and staff through individual professional development opportunities.

SMS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, intentionally committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. We welcome candidates representing a full spectrum of race, ability, gender, national origin, religion, and sexual orientation. An SMS education embraces both the open exchange of ideas and learning from differing perspectives, inclusive of the beliefs and identities reflected within the community. Qualifications for employment include a demonstrated commitment to these principles.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience: 1–3 years of administrative experience, preferably in a school or nonprofit setting.
• Technology: Proficiency in Google Workspace and experience with CRM software (e.g., Blackbaud, Raiser's Edge).
• Skills: Strong attention to detail, excellent written/verbal communication, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Attributes: High level of discretion and confidentiality; team-oriented with a professional demeanor.

Key Competencies

• Flexibility: Ability to pivot between development tasks (e.g., donor acknowledgments) and school-wide events (Winter Gala).
• Customer Service: Acting as an ambassador for the organization, providing welcoming service to donors and alumni.
• Time Management: Organizing tasks to meet tight deadlines for fundraising appeals and events, particularly during busy "seasons".
• Detail-Oriented: Careful attention to accuracy in managing data, reports, and correspondence

Ideal Candidate Attributes

• A warm, engaging individual who believes in the power of education and community
• An optimistic and proactive problem-solver who enjoys working both collaboratively as part of a team, and independently as a project owner.
• Detail-oriented, organized, self-motivated, and curious; ability to work under pressure, stay flexible, and maintain a sense of humor.
• A “raise your hand” type of person interested in participating in school events and engaging fully in the SMS community.

Position Type/Hours

• Full-time, year-round. Some evenings and weekends are required for special events.

About Stratton Mountain School

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