Director of Development

Are you interested in joining a great school community and working with a team of awesome people who are passionate about the exciting world of education?

Who are we?
Over the past 20 years, Aberdeen Hall has become a top-level independent school that provides excellent academics and a strong character education to our diverse student population of 700 Preschool to Grade 12 children. Located in the beautiful Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, our employees enjoy the many opportunities that Kelowna provides for skiing, boating, hiking, golfing, and other outdoor activities. With an international airport, university, comprehensive medical facilities, and a vibrant lakefront downtown, Kelowna offers “big city” living in a laid back atmosphere.

We are seeking a visionary and relationship-driven Director of Development to lead our fundraising, donor engagement, and community advancement efforts. As a key member of the Advancement Team, the Director of Development plays a strategic leadership role in fostering a culture of philanthropy aligned with Aberdeen Hall’s mission, values, and long-term vision. (position profile can be found here). This contribution to the school helps to provide our students and employees with one of the most unique, spectacular, and inspiring learning and working environments in Canada.

We welcome applicants who, like us, embrace the core values of resilience, responsibility, integrity, optimism, curiosity, and kindness. You are also known to be innovative, progressive, adaptable, and passionate about raising the next generation to lead meaningful lives as contributing citizens to their communities.

What makes us different?
Working at Aberdeen Hall is far from the status quo. We are a forward-thinking school that believes in rewarding our employees and putting our people first. We are grateful for our community-spirited culture, and we continuously nurture it to ensure our team feels valued every single day. Additionally, working and living in the beautiful Okanagan offers an exceptional opportunity for work-life balance, a comfortable pace of life, and a wide range of after-work activities.

Aberdeen Hall provides
Competitive Compensation for permanent roles at an annual salary of $90,000 to $130,000, inclusive of vacation pay and commensurate with years of experience and education
Annual vacation time starting at 5 weeks with the opportunity to increase this in time
Potential moving allowance
Open and collaborative culture
Comprehensive enhanced benefits package
RRSP contribution of 8% for employees that invest 4% of their salary
Financial Guidance from an Industry Professional
Personalized professional development plans
Newly built, inspiring campus setting
Well-established mentorship program

Position Summary
This dynamic position is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive advancement strategy, including our Annual Fund, donor stewardship programs, major gift cultivation, alumni relations, and high-impact events. The Director of Development manages the Events & Alumni Officer and works collaboratively with senior leadership, parents, alumni, and community partners to grow Aberdeen Hall’s philanthropic capacity and strengthen relationships across our vibrant community.
We are looking for a highly motivated leader with exceptional communication skills, proven fundraising success, and a passion for independent school education. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of one of British Columbia’s most forward-thinking independent schools.

Success Factors
Bachelor’s degree in fundraising, marketing, communications, business, public relations, or a related field (required).
CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) designation or related fundraising certification (preferred).
Additional training or coursework in nonprofit management, event planning, or advancement (asset).
Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive experience in fundraising, development, advancement, or external relations, ideally in an independent school or nonprofit environment.
Demonstrated success in managing Annual Giving campaigns and securing major gifts.
Experience developing and implementing strategic fundraising and donor stewardship plans.
Proven success cultivating relationships with donors, alumni, and community stakeholders.
Leadership experience managing teams and supporting volunteer committees.
Experience planning and executing successful fundraising and donor engagement events.
Familiarity with CRA charitable giving regulations and best practices in donor stewardship.
Experience working with donor database systems (e.g., DonorPerfect, Raiser’s Edge, or equivalent).

As part of our active commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we strive to welcome students, families, and employees with a diverse range of identities and backgrounds to enrich the Aberdeen Hall family with varied perspectives.

The successful applicant to our role will be a team player and participate in extracurricular activities. Aberdeen Hall offers competitive compensation and excellent long-term potential. We thank all candidates for their time and interest; however, only those to be interviewed will be contacted.

Please forward your resume and cover letter to Lisa White, Director of Finance & Human Resources, at [email protected]

To learn more about us, visit www.aberdeenhall.com