Special Events and Advancement Associate

Silicon Valley International School (INTL), a Pre-school to 12th-grade private bilingual language school, is looking for a Special Events Advancement Associate to join our team.  The Advancement Department is responsible for the school’s development, fundraising, community building, and alumni relations. The Department has the honor of being the school's advocate for goodwill, spirit, and philanthropy.

The ideal candidate should have a passion for working in a fast-paced, team-oriented, and multicultural environment. They should possess the ability to be forward-thinking, to anticipate the implications and consequences of situations, and to take appropriate action to be prepared for possible contingencies. They should be capable of maintaining high-performance standards and have the ability to adapt to changing work environments, priorities, and organizational needs. The candidate should be able to work well under tight deadlines, maintain positive emotional stability, and provide logistical planning and coordination of events and activities in collaboration with the Chief of Advancement. The ideal candidate should welcome constructive feedback and be open to continuing to learn and grow in their role and our unique environment. The ideal candidate will be someone who has experience working in a Development or Advancement environment within a non-profit organization or school environment for philanthropic events. 

This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored work authorization. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout employment.

The salary scale for this position ranges from $85,000.00 to $100,000.00


Primary Responsibilities

Event Coordination oversees the planning and execution of all Advancement events, including major programs such as the Soirée du Vin Wine Auction, Annual Gala & Auction, Art Gallery Display, as well as receptions, campaign events, and presentations. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Monitoring and tracking event timelines
• Coordinating logistics and managing outside vendors
• Preparing, distributing, and tracking invitations
• Tracking advertisements and solicitations, developing donor relationships, and managing select direct solicitations
• Managing auction items and donation materials, including organizing contributions, writing descriptions, sourcing photos, and following up with donors
• Coordinating event volunteers, including communication, meetings, and gift organization, and providing support as needed
• Serving as a point of contact for event-related communications with participants, volunteers, donors, and stakeholders
• Supporting capital campaign efforts through a variety of donor events
• Cross-functional support: performing other duties as needed to support the department’s goals and objectives

Position Qualifications/Skills

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience
• 5+ years of experience in Development/Advancement or administrative roles, preferably within academic or nonprofit settings
• Cultural competency and the ability to work effectively across diverse cultures
• Fluency in Mandarin, French, or German is a plus but not required

Technical & Creative Skills

• Strong technical proficiency, including MS Office Suite and Mac OS; familiarity with web technologies; ability and willingness to learn new technologies, with preference for experience in Keynote and iMovie
• Proficiency in graphic design or art, including desktop publishing and familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign)
• Experience with Blackbaud or similar database systems, including data entry, maintenance, and reporting

Core Competiences

• Strong attention to detail with the ability to multitask in a fast-paced, team-oriented, multicultural environment; strong aesthetic sensibility preferred
• Excellent communication, writing, and editing skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a diverse population
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to plan, prioritize, and follow through on multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to manage, initiate, and complete multiple tasks within deadlines
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment
• Exercises sound judgment and maintains confidentiality with discretion
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to provide prompt and courteous customer service to all school constituents

Physical & Logistic Requirements

• Requires access to a private vehicle for local travel and a valid and current California Driver’s License
• Ability to lift and carry up to 35 lbs
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend work, including overtime during peak event periods

Physical Requirements and Work Conditions

The physical requirements and work conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Ability to remain seated for an extended period of time or on feet for extended periods, up to 12 or more hours, and to navigate a variety of environments, including stairs and uneven terrain.
• Capacity to perform fine motor tasks with precision, including gift assembly, floral pinning, and basic equipment troubleshooting within time-sensitive settings.
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, and climb ladders as needed to support event setup, décor placement, and signage installation.
• Ability to safely lift, carry, and maneuver event materials, including boxes and small furniture, weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Flexibility to work a demanding, non-traditional schedule, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends, based on operational and event needs.
• Demonstrated resilience and emotional stability, with the ability to maintain a professional demeanor and effectively perform responsibilities in fast-paced, high-pressure, live event environments.

This description is intended to outline the general nature and level of work performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements associated with the position. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time, with or without notice, based on the needs of the School.
 

How to Apply

If you would like to join our vibrant community, we welcome you to apply. Please submit a current résumé along with a cover letter outlining your experience and interest in the position.

To ensure a thoughtful and complete review, only applications that include both a résumé and a cover letter will be considered. Please no phone calls or walk-in.

Silicon Valley International School is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all applicants and makes employment decisions based on merit.  INTL prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic characteristics or information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. INTL will afford equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees as to all terms and conditions of employment, including, without limitation, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, transfer, discipline, and termination.