Gill St. Bernard's School was founded in 1900. We are a diverse community rooted in the values of courage, integrity, respect, compassion, and excellence. We believe that education takes place not only in our classrooms, but on the stage, in the studios, on the fields, and wherever faculty, staff, and students interact. We believe in lifelong learning, and we support the development of individual and collective talents. Our PS-12 school is situated on a 208-acre campus, with collegiate-like facilities conveniently located just north of Interstate 287 and Route 206 in Gladstone, NJ. We are easily accessible from Morristown, Summit, and Bridgewater.
Position Summary:
The Director of Annual Giving reports to the Director of Advancement and will oversee all facets of the GSB Annual Fund. The Annual Fund is expected to be an integral part of the overall fundraising program for GSB providing vital budget support for the school through unrestricted and current expendable annual gifts.
The Director will provide strategic leadership and oversight in managing a multi-channel solicitation program that includes leadership annual giving, reunion class giving, volunteer management, digital fundraising, social media, crowd-funding (day/week-of giving challenge) direct mail and segmented telemarketing to solicit alumni, parents, faculty/staff, and friends. The Director will focus on managing an annual giving program that includes personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for leadership annual gift prospects and donors with a priority placed on identifying those prospects who can move to the major gift pipeline.
Position Responsibilities:
Enhance and grow an annual giving program with personalized cultivation and solicitation of donors including parents, alumni, past parents, grandparents, faculty/staff, and friends.
Collaborate with the Director of Advancement to ensure a coordinated and strategic approach to the team's cultivation and solicitation of donors who have potential to enter the major gift pipeline.
Create strategies to recapture lapsed donors and improve acquisition and retention of annual donors.
Direct short- and long-range planning and implementation for annual giving programs with a multi-tiered strategy that is highly targeted and appropriately personalized.
Work closely with Development Communications staff to create targeted messaging that increases support and expands participation in annual giving, with an emphasis on unrestricted gifts.
Oversee production of appeals, mailings, list segmentation, and email campaigns.
Ensure that the Annual Fund is well-positioned to adapt and appeal to the habits and philanthropic preferences of college-aged and young alumnae/i. This includes proactively sourcing next generation digital fundraising and payment tools.
Personally manage a portfolio of donors and prospects including face-to-face solicitations.
Oversee, plan and implement an aggressive program to identify, cultivate, solicit, retain and steward Leadership Society donors ($1000+). Direct and ensure that accurate, effective and timely acknowledgement, recognition and renewal systems are in place. Evaluate effectiveness and report results regularly.
Recruit, train and support giving volunteers, growing the base of volunteer support to annual giving from parents and alumni.
Coordinate the sharing of prospect and donor information with other development colleagues and collaborate to ensure upward movement of prospects through the pipeline for major gifts
Design a series of management information reports that demonstrate key leverage points, outcomes and efficiency.
Manage compilation and submission of regular reports to the Director of Advancement and Head of School.
Compile donor data and lists for the annual report in conjunction with Advancement Services Manager; draft summary information and features for the annual report that highlight results and the impact of philanthropy for the year.
Manage the donor recognition and stewardship processes, programs, and communications for all annual fund gifts and donors.
Other duties as assigned
Position Qualifications:
Minimum requirements include a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of progressive fundraising experience including demonstrated skill at soliciting and closing leadership gifts, management experience, proven success in an annual giving program, and the ability to develop creative strategies to increase giving and parent and alumni participation rates.
This position requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, creative thinking, an eagerness and ability to interact with parents and other friends of the school. S/he will be a dynamic representative of Gill who has a genuine appreciation for GSB’s vision and key strategic initiatives; along with an ability to communicate these in a compelling manner.
The incumbent should demonstrate an ability to create and manage annual fundraising plans with goals, objectives, identified deliverables and timelines. Experience with e-philanthropy, social media strategies and crowd-funding techniques. Superb interpersonal communications skills with colleagues, parents and alumni. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Volunteer management experience in an independent school or higher education setting. Proven success managing a portfolio of prospects and cultivating, soliciting and closing gifts in the $1,000 - $10,000+ range.
A proven ability to work both independently and as a team member, prioritizing work and meeting deadlines while managing multiple tasks and maintaining a positive attitude in a demanding, fast-paced environment is essential. The successful candidate will be an entrepreneurial and self-motivated individual who has demonstrated resourcefulness, as well as excellent data analysis and report generation skills.
Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to careers@gsbschool.org with the subject line Director of Annual Giving.
GSB Diversity Statement
Gill St. Bernard’s School affirms that a diverse community of students, faculty, administration, staff, trustees, and alumni is essential to who we are as a school. We respect and value diversity, which includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, family structure, age, physical ability, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background, as the basis for fostering a strong sense of self, community, and global understanding.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Gill St. Bernard’s School prohibits discrimination against and harassment of any employee or any applicant for employment because of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law. All personnel who are responsible for hiring and promoting employees and for the development and implementation of the school’s programs or activities are charged to support this effort and to respond promptly and appropriately to any concerns that are brought to their attention.
Gill St. Bernard’s School (GSB) is one of only a handful of New Jersey independent schools to offer preschool through grade 12 on a single campus. Founded in 1900, and home to approximately 600 students, the school is situated on a 208-acre campus with collegiate-like facilities including more than 20 buildings, a performing arts center, a turf field, tennis courts, a working farm, and a two-acre garden and orchard. The campus is conveniently located just north of I-287 and Route 206 in Gladstone, NJ. It is easily accessible from Morristown, Summit, and Bridgewater. The school is a diverse community rooted in the values of courage, integrity, respect, compassion, and excellence, committed to the belief that education takes place not only in the classroom, but on the stage, in the studios, on the fields, and wherever faculty, staff, and students interact. The school firmly believes in lifelong learning and supports the development of individual and collective talents. GSB is committed to recruiting, retaining, and supporting an exceptional faculty and staff of dynamic educators seeking to foster a love of learning, bring out the best in all students, and be guided by the school’s mission with an understanding that a sense of balance permeates all that the school does.