Major Gifts Officer, Western Region

Department: Alumni and Development
Reports to: Senior Director of Philanthropy
Status: Full-time, exempt, benefit eligible
Location: On campus in Watertown, Connecticut
Travel: Required. The amount varies over the year. Evening and weekend events are also part of the role.

The Taft School is a private, coeducational grade 9-12 day and boarding school located in Watertown, CT.  The sprawling campus is comprised of authentic architecture, state of the art classrooms and impressive athletics facilities. Internationally recognized as a top middle-sized boarding school, Taft is set on a beautiful 220-acre campus. The admissions process, although highly selective, spans diversity within the nation and furthermore, internationally. The school has approximately 250 employees and nearly 10,000 alumni. The Annual and Parent’s Fundraising efforts set it highest among peer schools. 

To learn more about The Taft School visit: www.taftschool.org. 

Job Purpose:

The Major Gifts Officer, Western Region is a front-line fundraiser who manages a portfolio of alumni prospects with giving capacity of $100,000 or more who live in the western United States. The Officer qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards these donors through in-person visits on and off campus and through virtual engagement, building relationships around donor interests and School priorities. The Officer reports to the Senior Director of Philanthropy and works closely with the Alumni and Development team and School leadership.

Position Requirements:

The duties and responsibilities of the Major Gifts Officer, Western Region include, and are not limited to:

• Portfolio Management

  • Build long-term relationships with alumni in the Western U.S. and serve as their trusted connection to Taft
  • Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects through qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
  • Write an annual work plan, meet performance goals, and report on activity

• Strategy and Solicitation

  • Work with the Senior Director of Philanthropy to plan meetings, engagement, and solicitations, including travel to the Western region
  • Prepare proposals and stewardship materials, including gift documentation, acknowledgments, and reports
  • Partner with academic leaders, faculty, senior administrators, and the Alumni and Development team to create engagement opportunities for prospects

• Events and Outreach

  • Help plan and take part in regional events and programs, on and off campus, that build philanthropy
  • Keep alumni in the region informed and engaged with the School

• Records

  • Keep accurate, detailed records of visits, meeting reports, proposals, and prospect activity in the development database

Minimum Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• Five or more years of related fundraising experience in higher education or nonprofit work, preferably in front-line advancement
• Demonstrated success cultivating relationships and soliciting gifts
• Ability to build relationships with high net worth individuals across a range of professions
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience working with volunteers and collaborating in a team
• Ability to speak credibly about independent school education and Taft's mission
• Ability to travel within the U.S. and attend events outside normal business hours
• Commitment to inclusive, respectful conduct with colleagues, students, and visitors, and to ongoing learning about diversity and inclusion
• Preferred Qualifications
  • Front-line advancement experience in an independent school or higher education setting
  • Existing ties to the Western U.S. alumni or donor community

The Taft School is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer in accordance with regulations adopted by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. It is the policy of The Taft School to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to age, gender, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, actual or perceived disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran's status, genetic predisposition or any other class protected by law.