Princeton, New Jersey
Posted: 31-Mar-26
Location: Watertown, Connecticut
Type: Full Time
Categories:
DEPARTMENT: Advancement
REPORTS TO: Sr. Director of Philanthropy
SALARY RANGE: Salary Commensurate with Experience
POSITION / FTE: 1.00 (Full Time Exempt)
The Taft School is a private, coeducational grade 9-12 day and boarding school located in Watertown, CT. The sprawling campus is comprised of authentic architecture, state of the art classrooms and impressive athletics facilities. Internationally recognized as a top middle-sized boarding school, Taft is set on a beautiful 220-acre campus. The admissions process, although highly selective, spans diversity within the nation and furthermore, internationally. The school has approximately 250 employees and nearly 10,000 alumni. The Annual and Parent’s Fundraising efforts set it highest among peer schools.
To learn more about The Taft School visit: www.taftschool.org.
Job Purpose:
The Major Gifts Officer, Western Region is a front-line fundraising professional responsible for the management of a pool of alumni prospects with the giving potential of $100,000 and greater with a primary address in the western United States. Prospect management can be executed through in-person activity on and off campus, as well as virtually. That work includes qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of prospects and donors. Prospect relationships are developed around donor interests and school priorities. Responsibilities also include development of written annual work plans, achieving performance goals, and preparation of reports on activities. The Major Gift Officer, Western Region is responsible for ensuring the integrity of information in the school’s development database relevant to assigned prospects, including meeting reports and proposals, and other updates. This role will participate in a broad range of events on and off campus having a strategic impact on the schools’ fundraising success. The Major Gift Officer, Western Region will report directly to the Senior Director of Philanthropy and work collaboratively with other staff in the Alumni and Development Office, and Taft leaders..
Position Requirements:
The duties and responsibilities of the Major Gifts Officer, Western Region include, and are not limited to:
- Build and maintain meaningful, long-term relationships with alumni currently residing in the Western region of the U.S., serving as a trusted partner and point of connection to the Taft community.
- Manage a portfolio of prospects, with responsibility for qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts from within the alumni community.
- Collaborate with the Sr. Director of Philanthropy to develop strategies for prospect meetings, engagement and solicitations, including regular travel to build and strengthen relationships.
- Prepare proposals and materials for solicitation and stewardship, including written documentation for accurate gift recording and use, acknowledgements, and reporting.
- Work with school partners, including the Alumni and Development team, academic leaders, faculty, and senior administrators to develop meaningful engagement opportunities for major gift prospects.
- Collaborate on regional prospect events and programs that foster philanthropy both on and off campus.
- Proactively connect with alumni in the Western region to keep them informed and engaged with the Taft community.
- Develop and demonstrate multicultural awareness and contribute to cultivating an inclusive, diverse, and respectful School community. Demonstrate civil and inclusive behavior when interacting with staff, faculty, students and visitors to the School. Promote a flexible, collaborative, and inclusive work environment and engage in educational opportunities to increase awareness and understanding of diversity and inclusion.
- Maintain accurate and detailed records of all visits and prospect activity.
Minimum Desired Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree and five+ years of directly related fundraising experience in higher education, and/or nonprofit organization, preferably in a frontline advancement capacity.
- Possess strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to effectively work and interact respectfully within a diverse and inclusive environment, a strong commitment to higher education.
- Demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships, including gift solicitation.
- Experience working with volunteers and a proven track record of collaboration in a team environment.
- The ability to speak credibly about independent school education and Taft’s mission and vision.
- Ability to develop relationships with high net worth individuals in a broad range of professions.
- Ability to travel within the US and attend school functions during and after normal business hours.
- Deep personal integrity and a strong work ethic are required.
- An understanding of major gifts and campaigns
The Taft School is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer in accordance with regulations adopted by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. It is the policy of The Taft School to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to age, gender, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, actual or perceived disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran's status, genetic predisposition or any other class protected by law.
