Job Description

Purpose

The Director of Philanthropic Engagement serves as a frontline major gift officer responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding philanthropic investments from parents, alumni, and friends of Pine Crest School. This role manages a portfolio of major gift prospects and partners closely with the Vice President and Assistant Vice President of Philanthropic Engagement, as well as school leadership and volunteer leaders, to secure significant philanthropic support for institutional priorities. The Director plays an important role in advancing Pine Crest School’s culture of philanthropy by building meaningful relationships with families and alumni and inspiring philanthropic support for the school’s strategic priorities.

Personal Characteristics

The ideal candidate is a mission-driven advocate who blends exceptional emotional intelligence with the confident resilience needed to ask for major financial investments. They are a strategic relationship builder who patiently navigates the long-term donor cycle, establishing authentic trust with a diverse community of parents, alumni, and friends. Operating as a collaborative leader, they expertly orchestrate high-level solicitations alongside the Head of School and Board members, while remaining fiercely disciplined behind the scenes, meticulously managing their portfolio and CRM data to ensure every relationship is purposefully nurtured.

Essential Job Functions

• Identify and qualify new major gift prospects within the Pine Crest parent, alumni, and community network, building a robust pipeline of philanthropic partners
• Develop tailored engagement strategies to connect prospects with the school's mission and funding priorities
• Develop and execute strategic major gift solicitations, including preparing personalized proposals and coordinating solicitation opportunities with school leadership and volunteer partners
• Ensure donors are appropriately recognized and kept informed about the impact of their philanthropy
• Manage an active portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, maintaining disciplined moves management and documenting engagement strategies and activity in the donor database.
• Conduct regular in-person and virtual meetings with donors and prospects to advance relationships and philanthropic commitments
• Partner with the Vice President and Assistant Vice President of Philanthropic Engagement to advance strategic fundraising priorities and support high-level donor engagement opportunities
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Department Supervisor or their designee

Job Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 years of proven experience in a major gifts or frontline fundraising role.
• Prior experience working in an educational institution, preferably an independent school, is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully securing major gifts (six-figure donations).
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong ability to build trust and authentic relationships with diverse groups of constituents.
• High level of discretion and ethical conduct when handling confidential financial information.

Education

Bachelor’s degree required

Experience and Qualifications

• Frontline experience in securing six-figure philanthropic gifts
• Experience in developing successful donor cultivation and solicitation strategies
• Must be familiar with database applications and fundraising software, preferably Raiser’s Edge NXT
• Proven ability to inspire and engage through persuasive communications (written, verbal, and across media platforms) and donor relations activities

Working Conditions

• Work performed primarily in an office setting (prolonged periods of sitting)
• Intermittent physical activity, including walking, standing, kneeling, bending, reaching and lifting up to 25 lbs.
• May be subject to working hours during, before, and after the regular school day
• Occasional travel may be required (e.g., between campuses)

This job description is intended to outline the responsibilities of the position and should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with the job. This job description does not constitute a contract or a promise of future or ongoing employment. It may be modified or amended at any time as determined in the employer’s sole discretion. The signed original copy of this acknowledgment will be filed in your personnel file in Human Resources.

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