Director of Major Gifts

Greenhill School
Published
April 21, 2022
Location
Addison, TX
Category
Job Type

Description

Founded in 1950, Greenhill School is an independent, coeducational day school enrolling 1,338 students in grades pre-kindergarten-12. The school is located on a 78-acre campus approximately 12 miles north of downtown Dallas.

The School’s mission statement reads: In a diverse and inclusive community, Greenhill prepares and inspires students to lead authentic, purposeful lives. Consistent with its mission and its steadfast commitments to its core values of excellence, integrity, courage, and compassion, Greenhill combines a rigorous, creative academic program with outstanding opportunities in arts and athletics for students from a wide variety of backgrounds. The school is widely known for its exceptional educational environment and has a national reputation for graduating highly qualified students who are well prepared to succeed at the most competitive colleges and universities and in later life.

Summary:

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Director of Major Gifts is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive and strategic cultivation and solicitation plans for major gift prospects including planned and deferred gifts at Greenhill School. The Director plays a critical role in the overarching strategies and success of capital and endowment campaigns in addition to ongoing donor activities including identification, cultivation, and stewardship. The Director will also serve as a liaison with the CDO to the Campaign Steering Committee for committee stewardship and preparation.

Essential Functions:

Prospect Management, Cultivation and Solicitation, and Donor Recognition

  1. Qualify and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects to develop one-on-one cultivation and solicitation strategies including personal visits and communications. Manage and track portfolio through moves management in Raiser’s Edge.
  2. Supports the overall long-term financial strength and support of the School by visiting with donors and prospective donors about a variety of gift possibilities, particularly deferred and planned gifts.
  3. Enhances donor gift planning and giving by remaining current in areas of gift possibilities available and the current laws and regulations governing such gifts.
  4. Using industry standards, gather, analyze, interpret, and present prospect information so that the School can determine the prospect’s interests and likelihood to give and engage the prospect in a meaningful way.
  5. Participate in regular prospect review and strategy meetings in collaboration and coordination with the Head of School, Chief Development Officer, Director of Annual Giving, Director of Advancement Services, and/or key volunteers.
  6. Develop personalized strategies and proposals for key initiatives and components of special campaigns as needed.
  7. Develop and oversee implementation of donor recognition plans. Work with Director of Marketing and Communications to ensure publications and website accurately reflect donor participation and recognition.
  8. Oversee tracking of endowments, developing content for and overseeing timely execution and distribution of endowment stewardship reports in collaboration with the Director of Advancement Services.
  9. Assist with preparation of proposals to corporate and foundation prospects. Grant writing experience is a plus.

Strategic Event Planning

  1. In collaboration with the CDO, plan and implement small gatherings/events that provide cultivation opportunities for donors and major prospects.
  2. Play a key role planning and implementing current campaign events focusing on donor cultivation and stewardship, particularly events that will showcase our plans and programs for long-term fundraising and donor cultivation.
  3. Collaborate effectively with other Advancement staff regarding traditional events where major gifts prospects may be in attendance or involved to ensure coordinated prospect management.
  4. Coordinate an effective program for recognition, involvement, and stewardship of major and special gifts donors in all Advancement events.
  5. Work with the CDO to further develop planned giving programs at the school.
  6. Support a luncheon every other year for planned giving (Fulton Society) members.

Volunteer Management

  1. Work with key volunteers in philanthropy to help solicit major gifts for the school.
  2. Advise and supervise additional volunteers in developing peer-to-peer solicitation plans for major gift prospects.
  3. Work with the CDO to prepare materials for Development Committee, Campaign Steering Committee, and meetings of the Board of Trustees as necessary.

Campaign Communications

  1. Working with CDO, manage any campaign timelines and efforts to meet critical deadlines on timeline.
  2. Working with the Director of Marketing and Communications, oversee publications and materials to support campaign planning efforts and work with communications office to manage printed materials for campaigns and other donor relations needs.

Education/Experience:

Undergraduate degree required; masters preferred. Five years major gift work experience required. Independent school or higher education experience preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

  1. Ability to understand the needs and interests of major donors, as well as the history and culture of the school, in order to develop relationships effectively. Ability to articulate the case for support so that individuals understand the mission and goals of the school to secure gifts and pledges of at least $25,000.
  2. Interest in all aspects of school life and a dedication to promoting the Greenhill’s fundraising priorities through developing excellent working relationships with faculty, academic leaders and administration, trustees and other volunteers, as well as the Advancement Office team. Ability to work collaboratively across advancement team and other departments, with an understanding of how the objectives of the major-gifts portfolio integrate within other advancement objectives.
  3. Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills required. Demonstrated leadership skills.
  4. Ability to prioritize and handle multiple and diverse tasks independently.
  5. Experience with Raiser’s Edge, Moves Management important.

Specific Skills and Abilities:

  • Have a desire to contribute to a community where the people, culture, and curriculum rely on actively engaging difference
  • Show a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (e.g., familiarity with concepts; evidence of relevant personal growth; examples of relevant practice, etc.)
  • Have an ability to welcome and include others and an openness to collaboration across differences
  • Possess a strong work ethic and positive spirit

Success Factors:

Must be self-motivated, resourceful, flexible, well-organized, and able to work both independently and as a member of a team. Knowledge of local fundraising prospects a plus.

Application Instructions

Please apply for this position here. 

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