Development Officer

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute annual giving strategies to retain and grow donors
• Manage relationships with approximately 100 donors and prospects
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward annual and leadership gifts to increase retention and upgrade giving levels
• Articulate the Academy's mission to inspire philanthropic investment and engagement
• Maintain contact reports and use metrics-driven portfolio management

Alumni & Constituent Engagement

• Collaborate on programs including Reunion, Homecoming, Family Weekend, and "Cheshire Academy: On the Road"
• Create opportunities for alumni involvement through events, communications, and volunteerism
• Leverage digital platforms and social media to expand constituent reach

Strategic Pipeline Development

• Identify and qualify prospective major gift donors
• Track donor engagement metrics and progress toward fundraising goals
• Utilize CRM systems and data analytics to inform strategies

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required with preference in communications, nonprofit management, or a related field
• 0-2 years of experience in fundraising, development, alumni relations, sales, or comparable role; internship or volunteer experience welcome
• An interest or experience in independent school education and a general understanding and eagerness to learn the student-to-alumni lifecycle
• Event planning and virtual platform experience

Skills And Abilities

• Proven ability to manage donor relationships and achieve goals
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent written communication skills
• Self-motivated with strong organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work toward measurable goals
• Highly organized and self-directed, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• A creative mindset with demonstrated project management skills
• Familiarity with donor management systems (e.g., Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, Almabase) preferred