Major Gifts Officer

Choate Rosemary Hall is hiring a Major Gifts Officer to join our Advancement team!

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Major Gifts Officer will join a high-performing team working to expand philanthropic support from alumni and parent donors for Choate’s educational programs, facilities, and endowment. The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of current and prospective donors capable of making gifts of $50,000–$1,000,000. This position requires regular travel and includes occasional evening and weekend responsibilities.

Requirements

•     Manage and advance a portfolio of 150–200 major gift and planned giving prospects and donors (defined by gift capacity of $50,000 and above) within an assigned region
•     Partner with the Director of Development to establish annual goals and develop and execute donor-centric strategies for each assigned prospect
•     Travel extensively for individual donor visits and small group cultivation events
•     Collaborate with development colleagues and volunteers to coordinate annual, capital, and planned giving strategies for prospects
•     Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all donor interactions and activity within the CRM
•     Prepare high-quality briefing materials, correspondence, proposals, and other donor communications
•     Maintain a strong understanding of Choate’s strategic priorities, funding needs, and case for support
•     Work both independently and collaboratively to build and sustain meaningful donor relationships 

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred

Prior Experience

•      5 years of relevant experience in development or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
•      Demonstrated success in cultivating and closing major gifts; experience in a private secondary school or higher education setting preferred, or transferable experience managing high-level client relationships
•      Experience integrating planned giving strategies into major gift portfolios, including securing bequest intentions and other deferred commitments
•     Campaign experience preferred

Key Competencies

•       Commitment to the mission of an inclusive, highly regarded boarding school and enthusiasm for engaging in a close-knit, student-centered community
•      Demonstrated success in all phases of major gift fundraising, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
•       Ability to incorporate planned giving strategies into donor conversations and advance legacy gift commitments
•       Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and persuasively to a range of constituents
•      Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively
•      Results-oriented and strategic, with strong attention to detail and follow-through
•      Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills and an appreciation for diverse perspectives
•      Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with sound judgment, initiative, and a proactive approach
•      Working knowledge of fundraising CRMs and Microsoft Office suite
•      Professional presence, discretion, and sound judgment in all interactions

Working at Choate: Choate Rosemary Hall is a coeducational, independent secondary school located in central Connecticut with 850 boarding and day students and over 400 employees. Choate serves intellectually gifted and motivated students of diverse backgrounds from across the globe whose commitment to serious study is enhanced in an academically challenging and personally supportive setting.

Choate provides students with transformative and meaningful experiences that instill lifelong habits of learning, leadership, and service, shaped by innovative and passionate educators. Teaching faculty at Choate are innovative, collaborative, and committed to our students' intellectual, social, emotional, and character development. Our faculty understands that each of our students has the potential for growth and works to encourage students to develop their own ideas and voices in learner-centered environments.

For its students and employees alike, Choate strives to be a diverse and inclusive community where all feel valued and embraced. On our campus, principled individuals from diverse backgrounds are united through common purpose, active engagement, and mutual respect. We celebrate differences and the richness of our varied backgrounds and experiences. Recognizing that working in an inclusive community can also present challenges, we embrace those challenges through ongoing dialogue and interaction, enhancing empathy and appreciation for those whose perspectives differ from our own.

Choate prohibits in all its programs, including hiring and employment practices, discrimination against or harassment of any member or group based upon age, gender, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other category protected by Connecticut or federal law, except in the case of a bona fide occupational qualification.