Leadership Gifts Officer

**SIGN-ON BONUS**

The successful candidate will receive a $1,000 sign-on bonus ($500 paid at time of hire and $500 paid at the end of 90 days of employment.

Reporting to the Director of Leadership Gifts, the Leadership Gifts Officer creates and implements strategies that strengthen relationships with Deerfield alumni and parents, and cultivates, solicits and closes gifts and commitments of $100,000 or more.  

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage portfolio of 200 alumni and parent prospects within assigned regions
• Cultivate, solicit, and close capital and planned gifts of $100,000 or more
• Collaborate with DeerfieldFund colleagues to develop and implement strategies for high-end Deerfield Fund gifts
• Track and report on all prospect activity; update contact and biographical information; submit contact reports on a timely basis
• Provide ongoing stewardship of all major gifts
• Coordinate and staff cultivation and solicitation visits for Head of School in assigned regions
• Support and staff Trustees and campaign volunteers on cultivation visits and work with them to curate small donor events in assigned regions
• Organize and conduct successful cultivation events to engage major donors
• Attend regular prospect review sessions and frontline fundraiser meetings
• Participate in weekend and evening activities, including alumni relations events, both on campus and within assigned geographic regions
• Travel 70 to 80 days per year; conduct approximately 150 visits per year
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Specifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 3 to 5 years of experience in development, or a related field especially closing 6-figure gifts, preferably in an academic setting 
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse constituencies
• Demonstrated success in cultivation and solicitation of major donor prospects
• Demonstrated experience working with Trustees
• Ability to manage and motivate volunteers
• Ability and willingness to travel
• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends as required in support of Advancement
• An understanding of gift planning concepts
• Willingness to collaborate with a strong team
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Ability to manage, and sensitivity to, highly confidential information
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion and to serving the needs of a diverse community
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite, fundraising CRMs, (Raisers Edge/Almabase/Blackbaud), data analytics, and reporting experience required

Physical Job Demands

• Close visual acuity to analyze data and figures and to view a computer terminal
• Ability to sustain substantial movements of the wrist, hands and/or fingers
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects up to 10 lbs
• Ability to occasionally stoop, kneel and reach

Working Conditions

The worker is in an office environment, and while in the office is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.  While traveling (25 - 50% overnight travel on average each month), the worker is subject to outside environmental conditions.

Special Instructions for Applicants

Application materials must include:

• A cover letter summarizing interests and qualifications
• A complete resume or curriculum vitae

Compensation & Benefits

Deerfield Academy offers a competitive total compensation package, where base compensation or salary is just one component. The salary range for this position is $68,000 USD to $102,000 USD.  Pay within the published range is determined by factors such as qualifications, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, allowing for growth and progression within the role.

We also offer a comprehensive suite of benefits to eligible employees, including:

• Health & Financial: Medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 403(b)-retirement plan; and employer-paid life and disability plans.
• Time Off: Generous paid time off and paid holidays.
• Campus Perks: Tuition remission, fitness center access and complimentary dining hall meals

See benefit plan details here.

Disclaimer

The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification.  This job description is not intended to be construed as a comprehensive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. It is expected that job duties and responsibilities will develop over time commensurate with performance.