Advancement Operations and Parent Association Manager

Job Overview:

The Advancement Operations and Parent Association Manager serves as a key member of the Advancement team, supporting fundraising, community engagement, volunteer management, and special events. This position acts as the primary liaison to the Parent Association, helping cultivate meaningful family engagement while coordinating events that strengthen the school community and advance philanthropic goals.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, relationship-oriented, detail-driven, and enjoys managing multiple projects in a collaborative environment. We are looking for the individual to start as soon as possible.

Essential Functions

Parent Association Liaison 

• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Parent Association Co-Presidents.
• Attend Parent Association meetings and prepare agendas, minutes, and follow-up communications.
• Coordinate the annual Parent Association calendar.
• Manage volunteer recruitment and assignments, including maintaining volunteer databases, scheduling committee meetings and developing volunteer communications
• Foster strong relationships between parents, faculty, and the Director of Institutional Advancement.
• Assist with orientation of new parent volunteers.
• Support committee chairs throughout the year.
• Ensure effective communication between the Parent Association and school administration, including ensuring relevant website updates for PA events.

Event Planning & Management

• Lead or support planning and execution of school-wide events, including: Annual Gala, Relatives & Special Friends Day, Donor Receptions, Parent Socials, New Family Welcome Events, and Community Engagement Programs.
• Develop event timelines, calendars, project plans and event communications, including coordinating social media content, producing event programs and signage
• Coordinate catering, rentals, décor and logistics.
• Prepare event budgets and track expenses.
• Manage invitations and RSVP processes.
• Coordinate volunteer staffing.
• Oversee event registration.
• Conduct post-event evaluations.

Development Operations and Administrative 

• Prepare acknowledgement letters.
• Maintain files and records, including donor records within the CRM.
• Manage vendor relationships, inventory and sales for Gaynor Gear, in addition to managing contracts and invoices.
• Process gifts and pledges.
• Generate donor reports.
• Assist with prospect research.
• Prepare new parent profiles.
• Prepare reports and assist with department projects as assigned. 

Additional Duties

• Attend full faculty and staff meetings
• Willing to commit to anti-bias and anti-racism work and to promoting inclusion, belonging and equity through their work in the classroom and school community. 
• Ensure a commitment to the school’s DEI mission and goals by participating in continuous professional development for learning differences, anti-racism and anti-bias of all kinds.
• Be an active member of the Gaynor community
• Other duties and responsibilities as deemed appropriate

Qualifications

Qualifications & Skills:

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree
• Minimum of 1 year experience in an Advancement or Development operation
• Event management experience
• Experience in an independent school or mission-driven nonprofit setting is preferred.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and rapport across diverse communities, including internal leadership and staff, families and outside professionals
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
• Exceptional customer service and database system configuration skills (Veracross experience preferred)
• Highly organized and resourceful with sound judgment and a results-oriented mindset.
• A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and a passion for the mission of Stephen Gaynor School.
• A commitment to creating and maintaining an inclusive and diverse community.
• Detailed-oriented with strong time management skills
• Ability to work independently
• Self-motivated, flexible, and able to work as part of a team
• Organized with the ability to multitask
• Must be thoughtful in approach to speaking to children with special needs
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality

Stephen Gaynor School offers a competitive compensation package and a comprehensive professional development program. Applicants are required to submit a resume, cover letter and contact details for at least two individuals who can supply reference letters upon appointment. 

Please apply online atEmployment Opportunities.

THE GAYNOR DIFFERENCE: UNLOCKING EACH STUDENT’S POTENTIAL

Since 1962, Stephen Gaynor School has been redefining what’s possible for children with learning differences. Located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Gaynor provides an individualized, evidence-based education for students in Pre-K through 8th grade who learn differently, including those with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and ADHD. 

At Gaynor, our nearly 400 students benefit from small classes, a 3:1 student–teacher ratio, and specialized instruction, ensuring every child receives the support they need to thrive. Faculty work side by side within-house specialists in speech, occupational therapy, literacy, and psychology— integrating academic, emotional, and developmental growth into every student’s experience. 

Beyond academics, Gaynor emphasizes confidence, self-advocacy, and belonging. Students learn to understand how they learn best, communicate effectively, and take pride in their progress. The school’s joyful, inclusive community celebrates diversity and nurtures each child’s curiosity and creativity, ensuring they feel valued and supported at every step. 

Graduates leave Gaynor with a strong foundation—academically prepared, emotionally grounded, and equipped with the tools to navigate new challenges. Families describe the experience as transformative: a place where children are understood, empowered, and inspired to reach their fullest potential.

Our Diversity Mission:Stephen Gaynor School is dedicated to promoting and advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion within our school community. We recognize, value, and celebrate many types of diversity, including neurodiversity, ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, ability, religion, sexual orientation, family composition, language, and gender identity/expression.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:Stephen Gaynor School is an equal employment opportunity employer. Gaynor is committed to building a culturally diverse and anti-racist workforce. We provide opportunities for employment without discrimination or harassment on the basis of (including hairstyle), color, religion, creed, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, gender expression, national origin, alienage, age, pregnancy, marital/partnership status, immigration or citizenship status, status as a veteran or active military service member status, disability, genetic predisposition, status as a victim of domestic violence, prior arrest or conviction record, caregiver status, credit history, salary history, unemployment status, sexual or reproductive health decisions, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law (collectively, the “Protected Characteristics”).