Major Gifts Officer

Responsibilities

• Managing a portfolio of alumnae and parent donors and prospects with an emphasis on individual donor relationships, solicitations, and stewardship; conducting regular prospect meetings (4–6 per month) with the goal of qualifying and soliciting major gifts ($10,000+) for the Dana Fund, endowment and other priorities to increase donations from the portfolio at least 10% annually.
• Holding at least six planned giving conversations with prospects annually.
• Collaborating with the Associate Director of Alumnae Relations to support reunion committees in their fundraising efforts, identifying fundraising targets and class gift designations, increasing alumnae donor participation each year and soliciting those who attended reunion but have not yet given.
• Meeting with 15–20 new families to introduce them to the department at the start of the school year.
• Planning and implementing outreach and engagement efforts that focus on young alumnae, including the annual Young Alumnae Challenge, creating its giving page and outreach strategies, resulting in increased participation annually.
• Planning and conducting regular college visits to engage young alumnae.
• Managing the Alumnae Instagram account, developing content, posting regularly and expanding the number of followers in collaboration with the Associate Director of Alumnae Relations.
• Managing the Alumnae Fundraising Committee and overseeing assignments of alumnae to committee members for outreach, including informing volunteers when an alumna makes a donation.
• Managing the STAR club for seniors each year, achieving at least 90% participation by seniors in their class gift.
• Developing and implementing strategies for approaching alumnae who have been designated Daughters of Wealth.
• Participating and contributing with colleagues on new programs and initiatives within Advancement.
• Developing timely and relevant institutional knowledge to create and implement solicitation and stewardship strategies for prospects.
• Entering activity in Raiser's Edge/RE NXT and generating reports as needed.
• Working collaboratively with the entire Advancement team and especially with other front-line fundraisers as well as the Associate Director of Alumnae Relations.
• Participating in and contributing to Advancement team meetings.
• Attending relevant Dana Hall events, which may include limited travel, as well as evenings and weekends, as necessary.

Candidates must have:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least three years of fundraising and donor management experience.
• Previous volunteer management experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Apps.
• Knowledge of data management systems and experience with Blackbaud solutions (preferred).

Successful candidates will possess:

• Excellent customer service skills.
• Strong team orientation and success in collaboration.
• Superior time‑management skills with the ability to manage many tasks and projects simultaneously, while adhering to deadlines and maintaining quality work.
• Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail and the ability to create effective action plans to meet goals.
• Effective communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with utmost discretion.

This is a twelve‑month, full‑time position reporting to the Director of Development.