Director of Major Gifts

St. Mary s Academy is seeking an experienced fundraising professional to lead our major gifts efforts and Planned Giving program. Reporting to the Director of Advancement, the Director of Major Gifts will manage a personal portfolio of major gift donors and prospects while also establishing and overseeing Planned Giving as a key area of strategic focus for the school, working closely with the Director of Advancement and frontline fundraising colleagues to grow a strong, diversified giving pipeline.

• Manage a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects, including current parents, parents of alumnae, grandparents and friends, and business/corporate partners, deepening relationships through consistent cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and meaningful engagement.
• Build, elevate and oversee St. Mary s formal Planned Giving program, including developing planned giving marketing materials, identifying and cultivating legacy and bequest prospects, and establishing gift acceptance policies in partnership with school leadership and legal/financial advisors.
• Develop a pipeline of major gift prospects and implement strategies to increase major gift revenue across all campaign categories, including formalized donor-giving circles and a partnership program.
• In collaboration with the Director of Advancement and senior fundraising staff, identify, cultivate, and solicit major gifts for a variety of campaign needs, including endowment and capital campaigns.
• Work closely with the Director of Advancement and frontline fundraisers to implement a multi-year strategic development plan to grow unrestricted support and increase participation across constituent types.
• Conduct in-person visits with prospects and portfolio members.
• Identify best practices, opportunities for capacity building and growth, solicitation strategies, and stewardship for the major gifts and planned giving programs.
• Collaborate with other development team members to create donor stewardship and cultivation strategies and events.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Advancement.

• Bachelor s degree and a minimum of 5 years of frontline and/or major gift fundraising experience
• Proven record of successful fundraising results, including direct solicitation experience and relationship-building skills
• Ability to plan and execute a multi-faceted major gift program, including target goals, growth opportunities, strategic analysis of constituent groups and benchmarks
• Experience or demonstrated ability to manage a planned giving program, including annual planned giving strategy development and the ability to work with planned giving donor prospects
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks with attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience writing engaging and persuasive fundraising appeals
• Commitment to donor-centered fundraising and exemplary follow-through
• Desire to work under deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment

• Prior experience building or launching a planned giving program
• Familiarity with planned giving vehicles, such as bequests, charitable trusts, and gift annuities
• Experience in independent school or nonprofit fundraising environments
• Ability to create fundraising and donor materials (i.e., proposals, fliers, etc.) using Canva and/or preferred design suite

• Ability to build strong relationships with a range of individuals
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive materials
• Self-directed, team player, accountable for scope of responsibility
• Willingness to work some evenings and weekends related to events, donor stewardship opportunities, etc.
• Ability to connect St. Mary s mission with all fundraising activities
• Commitment to the equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging priorities of the school
• Willingness to embrace the Catholic tradition, the charism of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, and all-girls college preparatory education

Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. This is a full-time, salaried, exempt, 12-month position. St. Mary s Academy is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to our eligible employees:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage at no cost to employee only
• Employer paid Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Vacation and sick leave
• Tuition remission for your daughter to attend St. Mary s Academy

Position is open until filled. Qualified applicants are invited to submit their resume, cover letter, three professional references and salary expectations to Kirsten Goetz at kirsten.goetz
. No phone calls please. Applications will be reviewed immediately. St. Mary’s is an equal opportunity employer.