About Us

The Fessenden School, in West Newton, MA, is an all-boys independent day and boarding school serving 540 students from Pre-K to Grade 9. The School seeks to employ individuals who will share our commitment to supporting The Fessenden School’s mission to cultivate each boy’s talents and develop in balance his character, mind, and body in an inclusive and joyful community. For over 100 years we have been committed to educating boys, and our facilities, curriculum, and programs are designed with the necessities of boys in mind. 

Position Summary

The Director of Annual Fund is responsible for the strategic vision, direction, and management of Fessenden’s Annual Fund which raises $2.2M annually to support our mission. This position manages each phase of the Annual Fund program and coordinates strategies to achieve increasing levels of unrestricted support among all key constituencies. The Director cultivates and deepens relationships with a portfolio of Annual Fund donors to enhance philanthropic engagement with the School. Additionally, the Director of Annual Fund recruits and leads the Annual Fund volunteer team. This position reports to the Director of Development.

Major Functions and Responsibilities

Prospect Management and Fundraising

• Manage a portfolio of annual fund prospects including current parents and caregivers, current grandparents, and parents of alumni with a focus on relationship building and growing philanthropic support for the school. 
• Ensure that key prospects are managed with regular face-to-face meetings and outreach to communicate annual and campaign goals.
• Prepare and manage tracking systems for monthly fundraising and statistical reports.

• Oversee all aspects of the Annual Fund process: segmentation of solicitations and mailings, progress reports, and analysis
• Coordinate Annual Fund appeals and other fundraising collateral for consistent branding, marketing and messaging
• Work strategically, as assigned, with Head of School, senior leadership, and faculty and staff to support ongoing fundraising priorities

Volunteer Management

• Lead an active and engaged Annual Fund volunteer team and prepare for meetings, organize agendas, create materials and coordinate follow-up and processes to inspire active participation 
• Partner with Annual Fund Volunteer team co-chairs and the Director of Development to create strategies, timetable, collateral and segmentations for Annual Fund solicitations and outreach
• Collaborate with the Advancement team to recruit and engage a team of Annual Fund volunteers 
• Serve as resource for volunteers and fundraising staff 

Events and General

• Collaborate with advancement team colleagues related to stewardship and fundraising events, and volunteer engagement
• Work with the Operations team to ensure appropriate planning and implementation of systems and strategies related to the Annual Giving program
• Represent the School at parent, alumni, and other constituent events

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree 
• Minimum of 3-5 years related fundraising experience, with a track record of success in annual giving
• Must have the ability to work in a collaborative, friendly, and respectful manner, with an appreciation and understanding for the goals and mission of Fessenden, always at the forefront of our work
• Proven ability to build relationships with donors, volunteers, colleagues, and other key constituents and raise philanthropic support
• Goal-oriented self-starter who can work under the pressure of short-term deadlines, while not losing sight of long-term strategic goals and objectives 
• Creative and innovative thinker who has the ability to be flexible and adapt to changing situations 
• Detail-oriented, organized and analytical with superlative written, verbal and interpersonal skills
• Strong technology skills, including proficiency in GoogleApps including Gmail, GoogleDocs, Google Calendar; creating and manipulating spreadsheets, and fundraising database; knowledge of Raiser’s Edge a plus
• Ability to maintain confidentiality 
• Expected to model and encourage an atmosphere in keeping with goals and mission of The Fessenden School

To Apply

Interested and qualified candidates may submit an application through Fessenden’s Career Site. Please include a resume and cover letter. 

The Fessenden School encourages applications from candidates with diverse or minority backgrounds.

The Fessenden School believes that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, ancestry, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws. The School’s equal employment opportunity practices extend to recruitment, hiring, selection, compensation, benefits, transfer, conditions, and privileges of employment.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.

About The Fessenden School

The Fessenden School250 Waltham Street, West Newton, Massachusetts 02465www.fessenden.org The Fessenden School (540 students, Pre-K through 9th Grade) located ten miles west of Boston, Massachusetts, is the oldest all boys, junior boarding school in the country. The Fessenden School’s mission is to cultivate each boy's talents and develop in balance his character, mind, and body in an inclusive and joyful community.For more than 100 years we have been committed to the education of boys and our facilities, curriculum, and programs are designed with the necessities of boys in mind. Faculty programs include ongoing professional development relating to the education of boys, cultural competency, project-based learning, academic technology, and differentiated learning.

Connections working at The Fessenden School