Position Description
Position: Leadership Gifts Officer
Department: Development & Alumni Relations
Location: Caroline Saltonstall Building
Hours: Full-time; generally 8:30 AM-5:00 PM M-F but some weekend and evening flexibility required
FLSA: Exempt
Workers Comp. Code:
Milton Academy is an independent college preparatory K–12 school, boarding and day in grades 9–12, located south of Boston.
Milton Academy cultivates in our students a passion for learning and a respect for others. Milton students grow by developing their own identities, learning from and listening to the lived experiences of others, and living and working among peers whose differences they accept with respect and care.
In our ongoing work to create the anti-oppression environment at Milton—free from bias, injustice, and bigotry—that our values demand, we encourage each other to explore our own histories and identities, be open to learning from others, seek to understand the world around us with a critical lens, and strive to practice ways of interacting with one another that ensure all students and adults feel safe, supported, and able to express all aspects of their identities without judgment or hate.
In our dynamic community, we honor that Milton students challenge each other to build a foundation upon which to leave Milton and partner with their future communities to help create a more just world and in those spaces that are dissonant to our values, to have the courage to speak up and live by our motto, “Dare to be true.”
Summary of Position:
The Development and Alumni Relations Office seeks an experienced, strategic, pro-active, results-oriented development professional to serve as a Leadership Gifts Officer who will work closely with the Chief Advancement Officer, Director of Development, Director of Planned Giving, Leadership Gift Officers, the Head of School, high level volunteers including trustees, and other members of the development team.
The Leadership Gifts Officer will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of leadership gift ($100,000+ level) and select principal ($1,000,000+) prospects. Successful candidates will possess expertise in leadership giving, campaign fundraising, and volunteer management; deep experience in the design and implementation of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies; and an solid understanding of planned giving.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
● Advance the success of Milton’s fundraising program through robust and pro-active portfolio management. Set clear goals for cultivation strategies for prospects and execute such strategies that result in the highest level ask for the Academy’s fundraising priorities; focus on building long-term relationship with top prospects and donors.
● Master a working knowledge of Milton Academy in general and funding priorities specifically to articulate a compelling case for support to all constituents.
● Own special fundraising-related projects, such as targeted giving opportunities, as assigned.
● Manage the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of a defined portfolio of approximately 150 leadership and principal gift prospects with 12-15 contacts per month expected (that requires travel for in-person contact, when possible); maintain complete and timely records of contacts with prospects and volunteers. Provide leadership and facilitate relationships between leadership gift prospects and the Head of School, faculty, and key volunteer leaders.
● Identify and qualify additional prospects by working independently and with colleagues; actively participate in prospect management meetings.
• Participate in short- and long-term strategic planning for the leadership gifts program, the Academy’s development program, and future comprehensive campaigns. Contribute strategic thinking to the planning and implementation of marketing efforts and special events related to the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of leadership and principal gift prospects, planned gift prospects and other key constituencies.
● Assist the Chief Advancement Officer and Director of Development with other assignments, as needed.
Other duties as assigned.
Supervision to be received: Reports directly to the Director of Development
Supervision to be exercised: none
Education/Certification/Licensure
Required: Bachelors’ degree
Preferred:
Experience
● Required: 5-7 years of development experience, including significant and successful leadership gift fundraising with a proven track record of high-level solicitations.
Preferred: Development experience in an academic environment. Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge or similar constituent database.
Physical Abilities: Must be able to work at a computer for up to 8 hours each day in conjunction with OSHA requirements. Must be able to lift medium sized packages (up to 10 pounds). Must be able to move around the Milton Academy campus.
Other required experience and abilities:
Required:
● Be a genuine, invested, curious, and flexible team player.
● Proven fundraising, leadership and consensus building skills.
● Ability to lead, manage, motivate and inspire groups and individuals across organizational chart.
● Demonstrated success in soliciting and closing gifts at the $100,000 level and above.
● Familiarity with planned giving fundraising.
● Ability and skill set to work effectively with alumni, parents, donors and professional advisors.
● Ability to manage and balance competing priorities, complex situations and tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
● History of effective work with volunteer leadership, in both individual and committee settings.
● Extensive experience and proven success in prospect management.
● Eagerness to travel.
● Superb organizational, interpersonal, and written and oral communication skills.
● Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
● Demonstrated analytical skills.
● Proven ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively in a directed team effort.
● Strong results-orientation and proven track record in setting and achieving ambitious goals.
● Receptive to supervision and professional development.
● A high level of discretion when dealing with sensitive information.
All interested internal candidates must complete an application for promotion or transfer and forward to your supervisor as soon as possible.
Milton Academy welcomes candidates who would add to the intellectual, racial, cultural, and gender diversity of the school community. Milton Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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