Director of Major Gifts

Gill St. Bernard's School is in a period of extraordinary opportunity and forward momentum. Guided by a new strategic framework—Depth, Purpose, and Possibility—the School is strengthening the student experience, clarifying its identity, expanding its visibility, and investing in its long-term sustainability. As GSB enters its next chapter, philanthropy will play an increasingly important role in advancing the school's aspirations and ensuring access, innovation, and institutional strength. This is a unique opportunity for a relationship-driven and entrepreneurial fundraiser to help build the future of philanthropy at Gill St. Bernard's. While the School has a strong tradition of generosity and community support, the major gifts program remains in an important stage of development. The Director of Major Gifts will have the opportunity not simply to inherit a mature fundraising operation, but to help shape and strengthen it—building systems, cultivating new philanthropic relationships, developing a disciplined pipeline, and securing transformational support for the future. Working in close partnership with the Director of Advancement, Head of School, Assistant Head of School for Strategy and External Engagement, trustees, and volunteers, the Director of Major Gifts will help translate institutional vision into philanthropic investment. This role is strategic, visible, relational, and highly entrepreneurial. It offers the opportunity to build, influence, and lead while helping position Gill St. Bernard's School for its next generation of philanthropic growth. What Would I Do? You would help design, strengthen, and advance the School\'s major gifts program while building meaningful relationships with donors who care deeply about the future of education and the mission of GSB. You would serve as a key partner to the Director of Advancement, helping to create a disciplined, relationship-centered approach to philanthropy that supports both immediate fundraising priorities and long-term institutional goals. This role combines strategy and execution, vision and action. You would: Identify and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors capable of making significant philanthropic investments in Gill St. Bernard\'s School, including five-, six-, and transformational gifts. Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership and major gift donors. Develop individualized donor strategies and moves-management plans. Partner with the Head of School, Director of Advancement, Assistant Head of School for Strategy and External Engagement, trustees, and volunteers on significant cultivation and solicitation efforts. Build a disciplined major gift pipeline that increases donor engagement, philanthropic investment, and long-term fundraising capacity. Prepare proposals, briefing materials, and donor communications that inspire support and deepen engagement. Help establish best practices, metrics, systems, and reporting structures that strengthen the effectiveness of the major gifts program. Identify, qualify, and develop prospects capable of making transformational investments in the School\'s future. Support campaign readiness and help position GSB for future comprehensive fundraising initiatives. Partner across Advancement, Admissions, Marketing & Communications, Finance, and academic leadership to align philanthropic opportunities with institutional priorities. This role is both strategic and enterprising. You will build relationships, build systems, build momentum, and help build the philanthropic engine that supports the next chapter of Gill St. Bernard\'s School. Position Summary: Reporting to the Director of Advancement, the Director of Major Gifts is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding leadership and major gifts of $25,000 and above from alumni, parents, grandparents, friends, foundations, and other supporters of Gill St. Bernard\'s School. The Director of Major Gifts works closely with the Head of School, Director of Advancement, Assistant Head of School for Strategy and External Engagement, trustees, and other school leaders to develop and implement individualized strategies for prospects and donors, fostering enduring relationships built upon an understanding of each donor\'s interests, passions, and philanthropic priorities. The Director of Major Gifts will play a foundational role in expanding and formalizing the School\'s major gifts program, helping to build the systems, processes, donor strategies, and philanthropic culture necessary to support ambitious fundraising goals and future campaign initiatives. Success in this role will be measured by donor engagement, portfolio movement, solicitations, gifts secured, the growth of the major gifts pipeline, and the overall advancement of the School\'s fundraising capacity. Who Are You? You are a relationship-builder, strategist, and fundraiser who understands that philanthropy is ultimately about connecting people\'s values and aspirations to a mission they believe in. You are energized by the opportunity to build something meaningful. You enjoy identifying opportunities, cultivating trust, moving relationships forward, and helping donors make a lasting impact. You Bring: Demonstrated success securing significant philanthropic commitments. Experience managing donor portfolios and advancing prospects through the donor cycle. Strong strategic thinking paired with disciplined execution. Excellent communication and relationship-building skills. Comfort working with senior leaders, trustees, volunteers, and donors. A belief that fundraising is both an art and a discipline—grounded in relationships, stewardship, strategy, and asking. You Are Known For Being: Entrepreneurial and resourceful. Relational and highly collaborative. Organized and accountable. Curious and persistent. Optimistic, mission-driven, and deeply professional. You are comfortable building systems, creating structure, and helping an organization grow its fundraising capacity while simultaneously securing meaningful philanthropic support. Qualifications: Bachelor\'s degree required. Minimum of 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in major gift fundraising, advancement, development, or related fields. Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and closing significant charitable gifts. Experience managing donor portfolios and moves-management systems. Knowledge of Raiser\'s Edge or comparable constituent relationship management platforms. Exceptional interpersonal, communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills. Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. High degree of professionalism, initiative, discretion, and emotional intelligence. Independent school, higher education, or nonprofit fundraising experience preferred. Who Are We? Gill St. Bernard\'s School believes that relationships matter, that students deserve both challenge and support, and that schools can transform lives when they combine high expectations with deep care. We Believe: Philanthropy is ultimately about people, relationships, and shared purpose. Great fundraising begins with trust and authentic engagement. The strongest schools are sustained by communities that invest in their future. Strategic philanthropy expands access, strengthens programs, and creates possibilities for generations of students. Ambition and humanity are not competing values; they are mutually reinforcing. Guided by our strategic framework, Depth, Purpose, and Possibility, Gill St. Bernard\'s is investing in the future while remaining grounded in the values that have defined the School for more than a century. We are seeking a fundraiser who is excited not only by what Gill St. Bernard\'s is today, but by what it can become. Compensation Range: $ 85,000 - $105,000. Further consideration may be given to candidates with significant experience, education, or certifications. Gill St. Bernard’s School offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental and vision plan coverage, 403(b) retirement plan with a company match, and generous paid time off including vacation, sick, and personal days. About Gill St. Bernard\'s School: Gill St. Bernard’s School (GSB) is one of only a handful of New Jersey independent schools to offer preschool through grade 12 on a single campus. Founded in 1900, and home to approximately 600 students, the school is situated on a 208-acre campus with collegiate-like facilities including more than 20 buildings, a performing arts center, a turf field, tennis courts, a working farm, and a two-acre garden and orchard. #J-18808-Ljbffr