Assistant Director of Development, Alumni Relations and Annual Giving

Gill St. Bernard’s School

Assistant Director of Development,

Alumni Relations and Annual Giving

Position Summary:

The Assistant Director of Development, Alumni Relations and Annual Giving oversees the creation and implementation of all alumni engagement programs focused on developing and strengthening short and long-term meaningful relations with alumni. The Assistant Director will be responsible for implementing both a creative and systematic approach, both in-person and online, and in both content and delivery of programming including objectives, strategies, tactics, metrics, and timelines to promote both alumni affinity and giving to GSB.

The Assistant Director will report to the Director of Development and collaborate with Development colleagues, the Communications Team, faculty, and other key internal and external partners to contribute to the success of the school and program.

The position is a key member of the Development team, building relationships among GSB’s alumni, both locally and nationally. They will be a lead solicitor responsible for meeting a portion of the GSB Fund’s annual goal, which is expected to grow each year, and totals $1.7M in 2022-2023. The Assistant Director will aim to meet or exceed annual goals of 10% alumni participation and increase the average alumni dollar raised per year and is responsible for helping to grow the pipeline of major gift donors.

Responsibilities:

The position requires proven frontline fundraising abilities, strong organization skills, the ability to build lasting relationships with donors and alumni classes, and oversight of volunteer management programs.

• Alumni Engagement: Ensure and reinforce a strong relationship between alumni and GSB. Engage alumni through alumni-driven activities and events, identify and cultivate future volunteer leaders and donors, and provide leadership for alumni relations programs.

• Annual Giving: Under direction of the Associate Director of Development, work collaboratively to execute strategies to best solicit gifts from alumni in conjunction with the overall GSB Fund strategy/timeline. Recruit alumni to serve as volunteer solicitors for the GSB Fund.

• Volunteer Management: Manage the Alumni Council, the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee, the Senior Gift Committee, and assist in the management of the Alumni of Color Network along with the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community.

• Alumni and Reunion Giving Program: Create and manage a 12–18-month calendar of outreach for milestone reunions through a class agent volunteer program.

• Alumni Communications: Assist the Communications team with specific alumni-related communications including class notes, alumni profile identification, and outreach to alumni via social media. Work with colleagues to write, design, and send monthly alumni e-newsletters, alumni solicitations, and invitations. Use data-driven segmentation strategies to effectively engage donors.

• Prospect Management and Solicitation: Research alumni prospects, determine target GSB Annual Fund amounts and solicit contributions to help ensure long-term support.

• Reporting: Provide descriptive reports for the Development team and the Advancement Committee of the Board of Trustees, and the Head of School as directed.

• Special Events: Collaborate with colleagues to oversee the annual reunion weekend. Direct regional alumni events in New York City, Florida, Boston, Washington, D.C., and other locations. Attend regional receptions and campus events to meet alumni and donors, assist with various aspects of events, make introductions, champion, and solicit for the alumni program, the GSB Fund, and capital campaigns. Occasional public speaking.

• Work Commitment: Able to work on occasional evenings and weekend to support school events. Travel as needed to meet with donors both locally and nationally.

• Budget: Maintain and track Alumni budget lines within the larger Development budget.

• Other: Contribute to the overall success of the Office of Development by working collaboratively on special projects, events, and performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Development Director.

Qualifications:

This position requires a bachelor’s degree with a minimum five (5) years’ experience in alumni relations or transferable experience with a background in fundraising. This position also requires demonstrated success in:

• Aligning with the school's commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community.
• Proven relationship builder and motivator.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Highly organized with demonstrated diligence, accuracy, and deadlines.
• Mature judgment, tact, sensitivity, and discretion.
• Professional, organized, creative and efficient.
• Experience in planning events and managing volunteers.
• Experience with social media and other communications channels.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as well as independently.
• Independent school experience a plus.
• Excellent technology skills including Raiser’s Edge experience.
• Occasional evening and weekend hours required.
• Occasional out of state travel is required.

Compensation for this position is commensurate with experience and includes a competitive benefits package. Interested candidates should send their resumes and a cover letter to Josie Muench, HR Director:

Josephine Muench

Human Resources

Gill St. Bernard’s School

P.O. Box 604, Gladstone, New Jersey 07934-0604

or jmuench@gsbschool.org

Gill St. Bernard’s School prohibits discrimination against and harassment of any employee or any applicant for employment because of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law. All personnel who are responsible for hiring and promoting employees and for the development and implementation of the school’s programs or activities are charged to support this effort and to respond promptly and appropriately to any concerns that are brought to their attention.