Whippany, New Jersey
Posted: 01-May-25
Location: Aliso Viejo, California
Type: Full Time
Salary: $90k - 120k, depending on exp.
Categories:
Salary Details:
Required Education:
JOB DESCRIPTION
DIRECTOR OF ANNUAL AND LEADERSHIP GIVING
Reports to: Executive Director of Advancement
Status: Full-time, salaried, exempt, 12 month position
Summary: The Director of Annual and Leadership Giving is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive annual giving strategy to raise $1.5 million per year across all facets of annual giving to support St. Mary’s mission and programs. This role oversees the St. Mary’s Annual Fund and key fundraising initiatives such as the Gala, Golf Tournament, Parking Program, Scholar Program, and other special giving opportunities. A key focus of the role is cultivating and stewarding leadership-level donors in the $5,000–$25,000 range, strengthening relationships and deepening engagement across our community. The Director will also manage and collaborate with volunteer committees and use Veracross, our constituent database, to track and manage prospects.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Annual Giving and Event Fundraising Leadership
- Develop and implement annual giving strategies and tactics to grow participation and revenue across all constituents (parents, grandparents, alumni, parents of alumni, faculty/staff, friends).
- Lead all aspects of annual giving fundraising (St. Mary’s Fund, Parking and Scholar Program), including planning, messaging, segmentation, appeals, events, volunteers, and donor recognition and stewardship.
- Work closely with the Parent Engagement and Events Manager to help drive overall event and fundraising strategy, ensuring alignment between event planning and fundraising objectives across the Gala, Fund-a-Need, and Golf Tournament.
- Lead the creation and management of a formalized sponsorship program to engage corporate and individual sponsors, establishing clear tiers, benefits, and long-term partnerships.
- Collaborate with parent volunteers, event committees, and school leadership ensuring Development initiatives meet fundraising goals and align with donor interests.
Leadership Gifts Strategy
- Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors in the $5,000–$25,000 range, creating personalized engagement plans.
- Maintain a portfolio of current and prospective leadership donors, ensuring meaningful touchpoints throughout the year.
- Coordinate with the Executive Director of Advancement and Head of School to engage and solicit key leadership gift prospects.
Reporting & Analytics
- Track and analyze annual giving metrics, produce regular reports, and use data to drive decisions and strategy.
- Manage and update donor records, track giving history, and segment constituents for targeted outreach.
- Working with the Development Associate, ensure timely gift acknowledgment and donor stewardship across all giving levels, interacting with the database regularly to ensure accurate records and reporting.
- Lead key reporting and stewardship materials, including the Report on Philanthropy and the Guide to Engagement and Philanthropy, to ensure we effectively communicate the school’s philanthropic story and engage donors.
Collaboration & Community Engagement
- Partner with advancement and administrative teams to align fundraising initiatives with school-wide priorities.
- Support broader advancement initiatives, including campaign planning and major gifts, as needed.
- Serve as a visible and engaged member of the school community, building relationships and trust with families, faculty, and staff.
Other
- Support the School and its leadership.
- Other duties as required by the Executive Director of Advancement and Head of School.
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university required.
- Minimum 8 years of experience in fundraising, preferably in an independent K-12 school or educational setting.
- Proven success managing annual giving programs and cultivating leadership donors.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills with a strong customer service focus, both internal and external.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills with an ability to inspire and engage diverse stakeholders.
- Strategic thinker and self-starter with the ability to successfully prioritize and multi-task in an atmosphere in which sensitive deadlines are the norm, as are interruptions
- Highly organized with a strong attention to detail.
- Strong computer skills and proficiency in MS office suite. Familiarity with Veracross or similar donor database.
- Enthusiasm for the mission of St. Mary’s and a genuine love for education and community-building.
For consideration, please submit your resume and cover letter with salary requirement to. Please also mention that you found the listing on the NAIS website.