Major Gifts Officer

Reporting to the Director of Development, the MGO is responsible for expanding the School’s donor base and strengthening relationships with its constituencies. The MGO will perform a key role in the qualification and solicitation of the most philanthropically capable individuals and families to secure leadership annual gifts, major gifts, and planned gifts. This is a largely external-facing position, requiring both local and national travel.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain current knowledge of school and campaign funding needs and priorities; identify prospective donors for those needs;
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 125-175 alumnae, parents, grandparents and friends capable of making gifts of $25,000+;
• Complete a minimum of 120 face-to-face visits with assigned prospects each year;  
• Secure leadership gifts from assigned prospects;
• Plan strategies from cultivation to gift closure and implement those strategies in coordination with DOD and Chief Advancement Officer; report progress toward achievement;
• Work with the DOD and Development team to ensure donors are recognized and well stewarded;
• Conduct screening meetings and develop philanthropic profiles with assigned prospects;
• Assist specific Reunion Class committees with Reunion Gift Campaigns, as needed;
• Travel for events, volunteer meetings, and prospect meetings and work evenings and weekends as needed; and
• Perform other tasks or projects as determined by DOD, CAO, and Head of School.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Leadership

• An understanding of and appreciation for independent schools and girls’ schools are preferred.
• A leader who acts with a high level of confidentiality and professionalism.
• A collegial, flexible, and collaborative team player.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Experience, Skills, and Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree in business, nonprofit administration, or related field required.
• At least three to five years of fundraising or transferable experience, preferably in an educational setting within an independent school in major and/or principal gifts.
• Must have a demonstrated track record of developing, engaging, and managing a portfolio with experience soliciting and closing major gifts.
• Must have exceptional writing and communication skills and the ability to work with people at all levels of an organization.
• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills.
• High level of fluency with Raiser’s Edge NXT, Google Suite, and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work, multi-task, and collaborate with people on various projects—from administrators, professional community members, volunteers, parents, and alumnae.