Major Gifts Officer

Job Title:                     Major Gifts Officer

Department:               Advancement

Reports to:                  Director of Advancement

Job status:                   Full-time, exempt

Position summary:

The director of major gifts designs, develops, and implements our major gift program. The director is responsible for:

• managing and cultivating relationships with existing major gift prospects,
• identifying new prospects, and
• managing the overall major gifts program. 

The director is expected to energize and guide team members, and to connect effectively with donors, persuading prospects in part by communicating the School’s mission with confidence and in appropriate detail.

The director of the major gift program will be expected to:

• Manage a personal portfolio of 60-80 donors, with a goal of raising $1.5 million annually by securing major gifts at the $50,000 to $1 million level
• Coordinate the major gifts program, managing the systems and software required to track and cultivate donors and prospects, including our donor database and wealth screening tools
• Assist other advancement staff and administrators with their solicitations (e.g. provide portfolio development support, strategic counsel, and help with donor communications)
• Facilitate monthly major gifts meetings and collaborate with other members of the advancement team to manage relationships with major gifts prospects
• Collaborate with the director of alumni relations and director of parent programming to renew and upgrade donors’ commitment to the annual fund
• Participate in other duties as assigned such as support at major events and limited volunteer management

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Four to six years of successful experience in major gift fundraising preferably in education. Experience managing a major gift program. Ability to understand the needs and interests of leadership and major gift donors in order to develop relationships between them and the School. Successful experience in making cold calls as well as developing cultivation and solicitation strategies. Excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated record of completing assignments.
• Competency with Google applications, and Slate and Raiser’s Edge (or similar CRMs)
• Must be willing to travel.

Work environment

• The essential functions and skills have been included but should not be considered as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, duties, etc. Additional responsibilities and requirements may be assigned as deemed appropriate.
• This is a 12-month, full-time exempt position. Some responsibilities require working in the evenings and/or on weekends.
• The ideal candidate would possess as many of the attributes and have as much of the desired experience as listed.
• The School is a tobacco free environment and an equal opportunity employer.
• Stevenson is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.
• Must successfully pass a criminal background check.