Director of Development

Stoneleigh-Burnham School (SBS) seeks a seasoned and mission-enthusiastic fundraiser to serve as our Director of Development and lead our major gift efforts with individual donors as well as increasingly with foundations and other institutions. This position is a strategic thinking and highly engaging leader who can guide our fundraising efforts.

The ideal Director will:

• Take the lead in cultivating relationships with existing and prospective donors, including traditional supporters from our ranks of alumnae, past families, and friends - as well as creating opportunities with foundations and other potential institutional donors.
• Commit to developing individual, donor-centric strategies.
• Display support and enthusiasm for SBS missions and goals.
• Commit to additional professional development opportunities in order to support their own education in this area.

The Director of Development is a senior administrator reporting to the Director of External Affairs and the Head of School and also collaborating closely with and supporting all members of the schools leadership team, including the Advancement Team and members of the Board of Trustees.

Job Description:

The position is charged with the responsibility for all activities involving the outreach, planning, and management of the Schools fundraising program including prospect research, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. The Director will coordinate the efforts with all major prospective donors and be responsible for the achievement of key fundraising goals. Our overall goal is to continue to sustain and build the Schools philanthropy efforts such that we are generating clear annual goals and as we plan the strategies for another successful campaign (coming off the heels of the Speak Up for Stoneleigh-Burnham campaign).

Other responsibilities will include:

• Developing and maintaining positive relationships with donors and key stakeholders
• Leading the Schools stewardship strategies and policies
• Overseeing major giving
• Traveling as a part of the fundraising plan and meeting regularly with donors, whether on the phone or in person
• Preparing an annual fundraising plan for review and approval by the Head of School and the Board of Trustees
• Providing leadership and guidance as to how to best leverage database systems, complete effective research, and communications content for major prospects
• Coordinating the strategy for annual fund initiatives, working with the alumnae, families, and communications staff for the implementation of appeals (printed, verbal, in-person and potentially events) and then focusing their and the leadership teams efforts on those who can make larger (>$5k) donations
• Helping to maintain the database and handling other admin duties with limited support

While the Director will not have direct oversight for the alumnae/family and communications staff, they will work very closely with them as a part of the Advancement Team, helping establish strategy, priorities, and messaging. They will be a champion of the overall fundraising, engagement, and communications efforts in this regard.

Candidates must possess the following background, skills and habits:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills - listening, spoken, written, digital
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, sometimes ambiguous, often remote, team-based environment
• The confidence and desire to be constantly engaging new prospective supporters
• Independent, self-disciplined and digital savvy - comfortable working and supporting oneself independently - and able to leverage technology to effectively communicate and collaborate with colleagues and prospects.
• Willingness to travel to meet donors and comfort in being on the road when needed.
• Willingness to explore grant opportunities and research prospects.