The Putney School is looking for an experienced development professional to serve as gift officer for an ambitious comprehensive capital campaign, the largest in the school’s history. Founded in 1935, Putney is a progressive boarding school of 200+ students located in the village of Putney in the southeast corner of Vermont. The school is committed to cultivating and sustaining a community that embraces difference, seeks inclusivity, and demands cultural awareness, and we hire accordingly.  

The gift officer will provide guidance and support for a $35 million fund-raising effort, working closely with the board of trustees, the head of school, and key volunteers. S/he will report to the director of development as a member of a 6-person alumni/development team. Candidates should have significant major gift experience, listen carefully, and demonstrate optimism, integrity, discretion, and judgment. They should be comfortable with in-person, virtual (telephone and videoconference), and written communication and use but not hide behind technology. They should be accustomed to documenting their work in a timely way.

Specific job responsibilities include:

• Serving as an ambassador who can expand our reach and contact to alumni and families around the country, to tell The Putney School story
• Identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding (through visits, phone/teleconference calls, written proposals and personal notes) a portfolio of individuals who could make sizable contributions to support Putney’s mission
• Working closely with development colleagues, the Head of School, and select trustees and volunteers to strategically build a growing group of serious financial supporters
• Attending school functions and department meetings as needed

While the pandemic is currently making travel difficult, candidates should be prepared to travel regularly once it is safe to do so.