Advancement Coordinator

Join our vibrant Montessori community where your passion for teaching is truly valued!

Title

Start Date

August 6, 2026

Reports to

Head of School

Employee Classification

Schedule

9 am - 5:30 pm Mondays - Fridays in-person; occasional evenings/weekends

Founded in 1965, Montessori Center School of Santa Barbara (MCS) is an independent school and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The school boasts sixty years rich in a history of nurturing a lifelong love for learning among children ages 18 months through 6th grade – grounded in the Montessori method. An American Montessori Society Member School, MCS fosters independent, self-motivated, confident, life-long learners, who will become positive forces to care for and transform our world.

The school is located on a beautiful garden campus in Goleta, California.

The Advancement Coordinator at MCS will play a central role in advancing Montessori Center School’s mission by stewarding relationships, telling the school’s story, and creating meaningful opportunities for engagement and support. With a focus on strong execution, this position is responsible for marketing and communications, events management, development operations, and family engagement, including parent volunteer coordination. Reporting to the Head of School, the Advancement Coordinator works closely with school leadership, staffulty, trustees, and parent volunteers to ensure that all outward-facing communications and engagement efforts are consistent, mission-aligned, organized, and professional.

This role requires excellent project management skills, strong written communication, and a relationship-centered mindset.

Marketing & Communications

The Advancement Coordinator owns the planning and execution of school-wide communications in support of admissions, fundraising, and community engagement, including:

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive communications calendar aligned with the MCS’ marketing and communications strategy plan, the annual admissions cycle, development goals, and school events.
• Create and prepare for distribution polished communications and marketing pieces including:
  • Admissions marketing emails and materials
  • Development appeals (annual fund, special campaigns)
  • Event invitations and follow-up communications
  • School newsletters and community updates
• Manage and update MCS website content related to:
  • Admissions
  • Giving and fundraising
  • Events and community engagement
  • Programs and opportunities for families
• Coordinate social media content and storytelling (in collaboration with leadership as appropriate)
• Ensure consistent branding, tone, and messaging across all platforms
• Partner with school leadership to communicate sensitive or complex messages thoughtfully and clearly

Events Management

The Advancement Coordinator plans and executes school-wide events that support fundraising, admissions, and community-building, including but not limited to:

• Admissions events (open houses, outreach events, prospective family events)
• Community engagement events (parent gatherings, celebrations, recognition events)
• Volunteer appreciation events

• Event planning timelines, budgets, and logistics
• Registration systems, guest lists, and communications
• On-site coordination and post-event follow-up
• Partnering with volunteer committees and school leadership on event strategy and execution

Development Operations

The Advancement Coordinator manages the systems and processes that support fundraising efforts, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and stewardship:

• Manage gift processing, acknowledgment, and record-keeping in collaboration with the school’s Director of Development and Bookkeeper.
• Maintain accurate donor records in the school’s database.
• Track campaign progress and generate reports for leadership and trustees.
• Support the Annual Fund, special campaigns, and planned giving initiatives.

Family Engagement & Volunteer Management

The Advancement Coordinator serves as a primary liaison for the MCS Montessori Parent Organization (MPO), supporting strong parent engagement and volunteerism, including:

• Recruit, onboard, and manage parent volunteers for events, committees, and school initiatives.
• Maintain a volunteer opportunity database and clear role descriptions.
• Partner with the staffulty to identify meaningful engagement opportunities.
• Foster a welcoming, inclusive culture that encourages family participation.
• Support recognition and appreciation of volunteers throughout the year.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & School Support

• Work collaboratively with the Head of School, Director of Admissions, program leaders, Board of Trustees, and Advancement Committee.
• Support strategic planning related to enrollment, fundraising, and community growth.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all interactions.
• Represent Montessori Center School positively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Serve on the school’s tuition assistance committee.

Professionalism & School Culture

• Model…