Director of Major & Principal Gifts

Summary Description: 

Bishop’s Director of Major & Principal Gifts works closely with Bishop’s Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) and peer directors to implement the fundraising strategy for the advancement program, including future campaigns. The position reports directly to the chief advancement Officer, works closely with School leadership on fundraising initiatives, and is a member of advancement’s director-level leadership team. The position proactively provides comprehensive support and resources regarding department goals, functions and programs.  Includes attendance at evening and weekend events, meetings and programs and travel to donor and alumni local and regional events.

Qualifications: 

Minimum of bachelor’s degree, five (5) or more years of experience in advancement work and at least two (2) years of experience in major gift work or equivalent combination of education and experience required. 

Skills & Abilities:

Dedicated work ethic - proactive, responsible, reliable and attentive to deadlines.
Experience in conducting campaigns and demonstrated success in securing top-level gifts. 
Motivated, highly organized, and a self-directed individual who can effectively multitask and handle a variety of matters independently in a professional, trustworthy and mature manner with tact, diplomacy, and appropriate judgment.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
Strategic thinker.
Commitment to maintaining strict confidentiality in daily dealings with hyper-sensitive constituent information.
Ability to actively collaborate with all School constituencies and team members.
Intermediate to high proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office, and willingness to become proficient in new programs, learning management systems, collaboration and productivity apps as needed.
Working knowledge of specialized software and online programs (i.e. Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Publisher, Blackbaud-Raiser’s Edge, Constant Contact and social networking programs).
Extensive knowledge of specialized prospect research and wealth screening programs
Embrace the special needs and requirements associated with an academic calendar and schedule which may necessitate fluctuations in workdays and hours.
Strong advocate of the School’s mission and school values of integrity, compassion, inclusion, intellect, excellence and justice.

Essential Functions and Specific Duties: 

Draft and implement a major and principal gift plan that sets realistic goals for supporting institutional priorities.
In collaboration with the chief advancement officer, plan for capital and major gift initiatives including budget and timetable.
Design cultivation and stewardship strategies for major and principal donors with special attention to those from previous campaigns and prospective donors for future campaigns.
With support from advancement operations staff, develop and implement a prospect management system. 
Manage a personal portfolio of approximately 150 major gift prospects and donors. 
Work with the CAO and Board Advancement Committee to implement each year’s giving programs and develop goals and objectives for the following year.  
In partnership with the CAO, develop a plan to broaden and deepen the culture of philanthropy at The Bishop’s School. 
Identify, recruit, and train a major and principal giving committee to assist with fundraising efforts.
Coordinate staff efforts in identifying prospects, making solicitations and enhancing team members’ knowledge of planned giving vehicles. 
Assist other members in the office, as needed, for solicitations, special events and deadlines. 

General

Uphold the School’s Core Values.
Demonstrate professionalism, tact and an unwavering positive attitude.
Stay up to date on industry standards, trends, developments and legal updates.
Make timely and ethical decisions both systematically and under pressure.
Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area.
Perform, with a team approach, other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL/MENTAL DEMANDS:  

Located in a professional office environment. This position requires working at a keyboard and remaining stationary for long periods of time.  Repetitive movement of arms, hands and fingers.  The employee needs to occasionally move about the building, and position self to access file cabinets, office equipment, etc. This position frequently communicates with others and must be able to exchange accurate information. This position must have close visual acuity to perform tasks safely. The employee may frequently need to lift, carry or otherwise move and position objects weighing up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 25 pounds.

The position requires the employee must remain professional and composed under pressure resulting from a multitude of duties and situations which must be handled simultaneously. The employee must maintain control in deadline situations, be quick to think and respond with appropriate judgment.