Major Gifts Officer

Status: Full Time, 12-Month, Exempt
Reports To: Assistant Head for Advancement

The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for securing leadership philanthropic support for Walker’s in the early phase of an ambitious comprehensive campaign. Joining a department of nine advancement professionals, the Major Gifts Officer will collaborate with each member of the team to achieve optimal results aligned with.

Role and Responsibilities

• Manages a portfolio of 75-125 major gift donors and prospects, with a focus on securing leadership level annual fund gifts and major gifts for school priorities, with agreed upon goals for donor visits, actions and solicitations to be completed annually.
• Through extensive and consistent travel, conducts prospect qualification in the early phase of a campaign, and develops individual donor strategies and executes cultivation, solicitation and stewardship plans for prospective donors, aligning opportunities with a donor’s interests and financial capacity.
• Solicits and closes gifts of $50,000 and greater, working in partnership with school leadership including advancement colleagues, senior administrators, faculty and Board members. With the Director of Annual Giving and Director of Alumnae Relations, collaborates on milestone reunions.
• Serves as a resource for consultation on prospects in fellow fundraisers’ pools.
• Maintains accurate, up-to-date reflection of activity and moves with prospects and donors in RE NXT, including drafting and executing gift agreements with requisite documentation and approvals.
• Stewards donors in major gifts portfolio to inspire long-term relationships with Walker’s.
• Maintains confidentiality of alumni records and institutional information.

Required Skills/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Raiser’s Edge, Google applications, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Four or more years of fundraising experience, with preferably in a college or secondary school setting, with proven record of fundraising success securing major gifts in the six- and seven-figure range.
• Commitment to the value of all-girls education.
• Knowledge of and interest in financial planning, planned giving, and tax advantaged giving strategies.
• Experience managing a prospect portfolio of at least 50 major gift prospects.
• Ability to travel locally, regionally and nationally 8-10 days each month; must have a valid driver’s license.

Desired Qualities

• Creative, curious relationship builder capable of moving philanthropy conversations forward in a timely manner, leading to a meaningful donor experience.
• Effective communicator with compelling communication capacity to articulate The Ethel Walker School’s mission.
• Build strong relationships with teammates, campus partners, and external community.
• Collaborate in an inclusive learning community committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• Familiarity with and facility in communicating School priorities and programs to a range of prospective donors.
• Works effectively and collaboratively with a range of work styles, talents, and experiences.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. The Ethel Walker School is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status.

To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, and contact list of three (3) professional references in one (1) document to careers@my.ethelwalker.org.