Major Gifts Officer

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with a portfolio of approximately 100-125 constituents (a mix of current parents, former parents, alumni, grandparents, and friends capable of making six- and seven-figure gifts)
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects in portfolio
• Collaborate with the Director of Campaigns and others on the Advancement Team to develop strategies for donor meetings, engagements, and proposals
• Prepare proposals and materials for solicitation and stewardship, including written documentation for accurate gift recording and use, acknowledgements, and reporting
• Secure six- and seven-figure gifts, as well as top leadership annual gifts, from donors in the portfolio
• Assist Advancement Team with activities and events, such as Reunion, Giving Day/Week, New Family Events, and more, as needed
• Travel for events, volunteer meetings, and prospect meetings, and work evenings and weekends when needed
• Maintain accurate and detailed records of activities using the school’s CRM, Raiser’s Edge NXT/Blackbaud

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 8-12 years of advancement experience required, preferably in higher education or at a boarding/independent school, preferably in a frontline fundraising capacity
• Proven track record of developing, engaging, and managing a large portfolio of donors/prospects
• Possess a positive track with soliciting and closing six-figure plus gifts

Other Key Competencies

• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) and the ability to engage varied audiences through oral and written communications, including gift proposals
• A demonstrated ability to collaborate and communicate with people at all levels of an organization and with volunteers
• Knowledge of CRM system and donor-activity tracking
• An enthusiasm for the students, mission, programs, and aspirations of GCDS
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills along with the ability to multi-task with great attention to detail
• The ability to travel within the tri-state area and US, as needed, and attend school functions during and after normal business hours