Director of Leadership Giving

Department: Alumni and Development Office

FLSA: Exempt

Designation: Full-time calendar year staff, some evening and weekend work required

Reports to: Executive Director of Leadership Giving

Location: This position is eligible for remote work consideration

Travel: Regional, national, and, in some instances, international travel required

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Hotchkiss School seeks a Director of Leadership Giving to join the Leadership Giving team and play a key role in building on the momentum of its recently concluded comprehensive campaign. The campaign, Hotchkiss’s first in more than 30 years, raised $304 million against a goal of $250 million. The ideal candidate for this high-profile position will be a thoughtful, articulate, and experienced major gifts officer with a strong ability to form and maintain relationships, build consensus, and eloquently communicate the School’s strengths and objectives. We seek a team player who will personally manage a select portfolio of over 100 major-gift donors and prospects. The Director will develop strong relationships with School constituents and demonstrate an ability to secure capital, endowed, and planned gifts to support the School’s mission. The Director will have frequent interactions with senior members of the School community and will work closely with the Head of School and the Chief Advancement Officer.

The Director will also work closely with other development staff, department chairs, faculty, administrators, and volunteers to identify prospective donors, cultivate relationships, solicit gifts, and provide proper stewardship in support of The Hotchkiss School.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Craft high-end solicitation strategies for identified donor prospects and submit thoughtful and well-written proposals and in-person solicitations of gifts of $100,000 and above.
• Build and maintain communications with key stakeholders, constituents, and prospects.
• Implement strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward assigned constituents.
• Closely collaborate with Leadership Giving team members and contribute to the team’s overall strategic objectives.
• Manage a portfolio of up to 125 donors and donor prospects.
• Provide regular, detailed reports and information to the Executive Director of Leadership Giving and Chief Advancement Officer.
• Work closely with members of the Alumni and Development Office to support fundraising goals and objectives.
• Engage campus colleagues in the cultivation and solicitation process.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the value of education and the Hotchkiss mission.
• Successfully articulate a compelling case for leadership support.
• Perform other duties as needed and assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of 5-10 years of experience raising major gifts.
• Significant capital gift/annual fund experience and a working knowledge of planned giving fundamentals required.
• Proven success in securing gifts of $100,000 or more.
• Capital campaign experience in an educational setting preferred.
• Mission-driven team player with excellent analytical, organizational, and time management skills.
• Excellent and persuasive oral and written communication skills.
• High energy, ambition, and initiative, with a growth mindset.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to perform tasks independently.
• Proficiency in G-Suite, knowledge of Raiser’s Edge preferred or similar fundraising software, along with an ability to learn new systems.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS:

• Remote work arrangements are considered for those who are within driving distance of campus, working within the states of CT, NY, and MA.
• Office environment.
• At events, a significant amount of time is spent standing/walking.
• Repetitive (keyboard) motion.
• Extensive travel.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

A cover letter and resume are required for consideration. In your cover letter, please highlight your relevant experience in Leadership Giving, fundraising, or transferable experiences.

The essential functions and basic skills have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This position description is subject to change at any time.

The Hotchkiss School is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to basing judgments concerning the employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities. The School is firmly committed to equal employment and advancement opportunities for all employees and applicants in all phases of the employment process (including recruitment, hiring, assignment, terms and conditions of employment, compensation, benefits, training, promotion, transfer, discipline and termination).

In accordance with applicable law, the School does not discriminate against any individual based on age, ancestry, color, genetic information, learning disability, marital status, past or present history of mental disability, national origin, physical disability, race, religious creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Equal Opportunity Employer


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