Career Center

The Pennington School is an independent coeducational school for students in grades 6 through 12, in both day and boarding programs. The curriculum is college preparatory, with an emphasis on individual excellence, fostering the development of the whole student through academics, athletics, community service, and the creative and performing arts. Pennington is dedicated to providing our students with a global perspective, an emphasis on character, and an appreciation for diversity and inclusion of all types.

As Pennington School embarks upon a $50M comprehensive campaign, the largest in the school's history, we are excited to add strategic positions to the advancement team in support of this exciting endeavor. Once fully complemented, the advancement team will number 15 and will be best positioned for tremendous growth and success. 

The Director of Capital Projects and Gift Planning will serve as a lead fundraiser and will help to develop major and planned gifts to the School as Pennington embarks upon a five-year comprehensive campaign. This position will report to the Director of Development and will work collaboratively with the Assistant Head of School for Advancement and Strategic Initiatives and with the Head of School, Board of Trustees, and Advancement and Campaign committees. The Director of Capital Projects and Gift Planning oversees and manages the Director of Leadership Gifts and the volunteer Pennington Leadership Council. 

Essential Responsibilities

Major Gifts: (60%)

• Develop annual visit, solicitation, and revenue goals in collaboration with the Director of Development and Assistant Head for Advancement;
• Ensure the pipeline of major gift prospects remains active, and create detailed prospect relationship strategies around donor interests and School priorities;
• Set the agenda for the weekly prospect management meetings and maintain the major gift prospect pipeline;
• Collaborate with the alumni relations and annual giving teams on meeting goals for major reunion classes. Assist with the solicitation of top prospects in major reunion classes;
• Manage the Director of Leadership Giving ($25,000 - $100,000) and ensure annual visitation and revenue goals are met;
• Develop an in-depth knowledge of Pennington School history, academic, extracurricular and distinguishing programs; maintain a thorough understanding of the School’s priorities and initiatives;
• Working closely with the Director of Development, help to implement and recruit the Pennington Leadership Council members and develop meeting agendas and program; 
• Prepare proposals and materials including written documentation for accurate gift recording and acknowledgment;
• Oversee requests for individual donor research profiles;
• Ensure the integrity of information on the School’s NXT Raiser’s Edge database relevant to assigned prospects, including visit reports, stages, solicitations, and tasks;
• Attend and support appropriate donor engagement events as related to assigned prospects or the needs of the Advancement office

Gift Planning: (40%)

• Working with the Director of Development and gift planning counsel, help to execute a plan for building membership in the Francis Harvey Green Society (legacy gifts) including developiment of specific goals, timelines, marketing materials, and stewardship plans;
• Develop and implement a marketing plan for the Francis Harvey Green Society;
• Set and achieve annual goals for increasing membership in the Society and serve as the lead fundraiser for securing planned gifts;
• Serve as a gift planning resource to the department, including training and supporting other staff and providing oversight on gift documentation and stewardship;
• Collaborate with the business office, financial estate planners, and attorneys and gift planning counsel to ensure that all systems and processes from gift documentation to reporting are accurate and align with the needs of the School and donors 
• Other duties as required

• Occasional evening and weekend work is required, including events for Pennington alumni, parents, and donors 

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of 8+ years of development/advancement leadership experience
• Demonstrated success in cultivation and solicitation of major gifts ($100,000 +)
• Deep knowledge of and experience with planned giving strategies and vehicles
• Experience with capital campaigns preferred but not required
• Ability to supervise in a manner that will maximize individual talents and inspire personal growth and high achievement
• Highly energetic and enthusiastic personality with excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, and time management skills
• Strong written and verbal communications skills
• Ability to create and tailor a compelling case for support for a diverse range of donors
• Proven ability to craft meaningful stewardship initiatives
• Ability to work independently and as an integral part of a collegial team
• Ability to connect with a variety of constituencies including alumni, current parents, and parents of alumni
• Proven ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to prospects and donors
• Candidates with experience working in an independent school preferred

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The working environment is an office and school environment on a 55-acre campus. The ability to occasionally lift files and storage boxes, walk up and down stairs, attend meetings in varying locations throughout campus, and continually use computers and related office equipment is required. Not all buildings on campus have elevators.  

This position is a full-time, 12-month position. The candidate must be available for occasional weekend and evening work as needed for School events and projects outside of normal work hours.

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements at https://pennington.isolvedhire.com