Director of Major Gifts

Charleston School of Law seeks a highly relational, community-minded professional to serve as its Director of Major Gifts. This position will play an important role in expanding the school's relationships throughout Charleston, the Low country, Statewide and Nationally while developing those relationships into meaningful philanthropic support for the school and its students.

The Director of Major Gifts will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals and organizations with the interest and capacity to make significant investments in Charleston School of Law. The successful candidate will be a natural relationship builder who enjoys meeting people, making connections, developing trust, and representing an organization within the community and beyond.

While previous fundraising experience is valuable, it is not required. Successful candidates may come from advancement, business development, sales, law, banking and financial services, professional services, community relations, nonprofit leadership, hospitality, civic engagement, or other relationship-centered fields.

Of particular importance is an understanding of Charleston, the Low country and South Carolina, and the ability to build authentic relationships with alumni, attorneys, business and civic leaders, community partners, corporations, foundations, and friends of the school.

The Director of Major Gifts will work closely with the School's Advancement team and senior leadership to expand the school's network, strengthen existing relationships, identify new prospective donors and partners, and generate philanthropic support for scholarships, academic programs, faculty excellence, student opportunities, strategic initiatives, and other institutional priorities.

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals and organizations capable of making significant philanthropic investments in Charleston School of Law.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of prospective major donors and supporters, with an emphasis on meaningful engagement and measurable progress.
• Develop individualized strategies for building relationships with prospective donors and moving those relationships toward philanthropic support.
• Conduct regular personal meetings, visits, calls, and other outreach with alumni, attorneys, business and civic leaders, community partners, and prospective supporters.
• Solicit significant gifts, including gifts of $25,000 and above and, where appropriate, six- and seven-figure commitments.
• Identify individuals and organizations not currently connected to Charleston School of Law who could become meaningful partners and supporters.
• Work with School leadership, faculty, alumni, Board members, and other volunteers to facilitate introductions and develop donor relationships.
• Maintain appropriate follow-up and stewardship following gifts and significant donor interactions.

• Serve as a visible and effective ambassador for Charleston School of Law throughout Charleston, the Low country and South Carolina.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with alumni, attorneys, business and civic leaders, community organizations, corporations, foundations, and friends of the school.
• Expand the school's network within the Charleston community and identify opportunities to introduce new individuals and organizations to the school.
• Attend community, professional, alumni, donor, and School events as appropriate to build relationships and increase the school's visibility.
• Build long-term relationships based on trust, engagement, and a genuine understanding of the interests of prospective donors and partners.
• Identify opportunities to connect individuals and organizations with the mission, students, faculty, programs, and priorities of Charleston School of Law.
• Assist in developing opportunities for donors, alumni, and community leaders to become more engaged with the school.

• Work collaboratively with the Advancement team and School leadership to establish annual and long-term fundraising priorities and strategies.
• Help develop a sustainable pipeline of prospective donors and move relationships from initial introduction through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Support fundraising efforts related to scholarships, academic programs, student opportunities, special initiatives, capital priorities, and other institutional needs.
• Bring…