Director of the Deerfield Fund

• 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 Advancement, the Director of the Deerfield Fund oversees the Academy’s annual giving efforts, including developing and implementing a strategy to achieve and exceed the annual goal, increase donor retention, and grow participation. The Director supports and manages a team of professional and administrative staff, and serves as the Director of 50th Reunion Fundraising.

Fundraising

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and execute overall Deerfield Fund strategy to solicit and engage constituents
• Oversee content, design, and execution of general appeals (through direct mail and digital campaigns) and collateral messaging, in collaboration with the Associate Director of the Deerfield Fund
• Recruit, activate, and support volunteer leaders (class agents) to expand reach and participation; ensure consistent practices in volunteer recruitment, training, and management across classes
• Oversee prospecting, segmentation, reporting, and pipeline development for the Deerfield Fund
• Partner with Leadership Gift Officers to encourage the growth of 1797 Society membership
• Identify and solicit leadership-level prospects, focusing on but not limited to classes 40-50 years post-graduation from Deerfield
• Track and report on prospect activity; update contact and biographical information on a timely basis
• Collaborate with the Director of Parent Engagement to strengthen annual parent giving
• Work closely with the Director of Advancement to meet Deerfield Fund dollar goals
  
  

Class Fundraising and Reunions Management

• Direct all aspects of 50th Reunion fundraising, in close collaboration with the Assistant Director of the Deerfield Fund (Post-50th), the Director of Planned Giving, and Leadership Gift Officers
• Make strategic reunion programming and yearbook decisions for 50th Reunion classes, collaborating closely with colleagues in Alumni Relations and the Assistant Director of the Deerfield Fund (post-50th)
• Recruit, train, and manage 45th Reunion volunteers to engage and solicit their classmates in honor of their reunion
• Oversee class fundraising and program goal setting for Associate and Assistant Directors
  
  

Management Of Staff

• Supervise the work of the Deerfield Fund team to effectively coordinate efforts to meet identified departmental goals and objectives
• Manage overall work performance, objectives, and career development of direct reports, including review and development of individual job skills
• Work with Human Resources in the hiring process for all new employees, according to the Academy’s stated Best Practices in Hiring
• Track and communicate budgetary needs in a timely fashion to the Director of Advancement
• Other duties as assigned
  
  

Job Specifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 5 – 7 years of fundraising experience or similar related work experience required
• A proven track record as a successful manager of teams
• Excellent verbal and written communication and organizational skills
• Ability to motivate and work effectively with Advancement staff
• An open and collaborative leadership style
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite, fundraising CRMs (Raiser’s Edge/Almabase/Blackbaud), data analytics, and reporting experience required
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion and to serving the needs of a diverse community
• Ability to manage, and sensitivity to, highly confidential information
• Ability and willingness to travel
• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends as required in support of Advancement
  
  

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 or reach
  
  

Working Conditions

The worker is mainly in an office environment and not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions. While traveling, 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. 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.