Director of Individual Giving

The Director of Individual Giving will serve as a key team leader in an exciting phase of opportunity and growth for Worcester Academy. Amidst the quiet phase of the institution’s most ambitious and successful campaign, this position will work closely with the Director of Advancement and collaborate with additional key team leaders to provide strategic direction for the campaign related to prospect management and pipeline development.

This position leads and works collaboratively with two direct reports, a Leadership Gift Officer and Annual Fund Manager and will be responsible for developing a multi-year comprehensive giving plan grounded in best practices.  The ideal candidate is an outgoing relationship builder and leader who will take a creative and analytical approach to prospect management, team leadership, and long-term planning.

The Director will manage a portfolio of high-level prospects. Approximately 40% of this role requires local and domestic travel visiting donors.

This is a 12-month, exempt position reporting to the Director of Advancement.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND PRIMARY OBJECTIVES

Fundraising Strategy, Oversight, & Activity

• Serve as a thought partner to the Director of Advancement to define long-term engagement and fundraising goals by defining annual metrics from multiple constituency categories in the context of growing the annual fund, leadership and planned giving, and overall participation;
• Manage a key donor portfolio, with a strategic focus on current families, with annual goals for personal visits and advancing relationships;
• Evaluate the current volunteer structure and make recommendations that align with the comprehensive campaign goals while creating a culture of philanthropy;
• Oversee family engagement strategy to increase participation and total giving;
• Collaborate with team leadership to oversee the major giving pipeline ensuring each segment is strategically addressed and continually in motion through prospect management, reporting and portfolio construction;
• Develop and manage an integrated campaign messaging strategy, in partnership with the School’s Communications Office, to maximize engagement around campaign priorities.
• Facilitate collaborative team development and execution of content-driven programs that strengthen and promote new and meaningful connections with Worcester Academy’s community;

Management & Supervision

• Oversee the daily operations of the overall Advancement Team in collaboration with the Assistant Director of Advancement and campus partners:
  • Create team meeting agendas and follow up on action items as needed;
  • Guide and mentor department staff
  • Attend events as appropriate.
• Supervise and work collaboratively with the Leadership Gift Officer and Annual Fund Manager to advance donor engagement strategy and fundraising outcomes;
• Supervise direct report(s), provide regular clear and supportive written and verbal feedback, offer resources where needed, provide expertise, guidance, coaching, and leadership to support team growth and development; and
• Manage up to the Director of Advancement, providing a detailed understanding of activity and oversight, while building trust and independence.

Collaboration & Community Involvement

• Attend student events throughout the yea
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across all departments to foster a positive working and educational environment for students and employees to support the school’s mission, vision, and core values;
• Attend and participate in required faculty and staff meetings and department meetings; pursue PD opportunities in and out of school; display willingness and ability to grow, learn, explore new approaches, and practice self-reflection; and
• Other duties as assigned.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. An employee may also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned.

Skills & Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent with at least five to ten years of experience in leadership/major gifts, campaign, or annual fund fundraising, preferably in education;
• Experience supervising and mentoring direct reports;
• Possess excellent customer service skills and ability to work with a wide range of people – alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, donors, board members, vendors, and community members;
• Ability to work independently and effectively in a changing, fast-paced environment;
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive community;
• Proficiency with Google applications, Microsoft Office Suite, NXT Blackbaud or equivalent database;

About Worcester Academy

Worcester Academy exists to instill in its students the desire to learn throughout life, to engage passionately with the world around them, and to be honorable persons of strong and resourceful character. We are a community—curious, thoughtful, generous, and thriving in our diversity. We embrace each of our core values as essential to the mission of Worcester Academy and as testimony of our beliefs and commitments.