Lakeville, Connecticut
Posted: 06-Aug-24
Location: Lakeville, Connecticut
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Required Education:
Department: Alumni & Development
FLSA: Exempt
Job Status: Staff, full-time, calendar year
Reports to: Director of The Hotchkiss Fund
Travel: Periodic
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Parent Giving and Engagement is a key member of the The Hotchkiss Fund team, responsible for creating and executing a comprehensive parent fundraising and engagement strategy. Reporting to the Director of The Hotchkiss Fund, this position plays a critical role in securing philanthropic support for The Hotchkiss Fund (over $2M annually) and the Senior Parent Gift and fostering relationships with parents, grandparents, and alumni parents.
The role involves strategic planning, program implementation, gift cultivation and solicitation, volunteer management, alongside organizing on-campus and off-campus events. The Director will lead Parent Giving and Engagement and also collaborate closely with members of the Hotchkiss Fund Team as well as various departments within Alumni and Development to support broader organizational goals, maintain robust communication channels with stakeholders, and utilize digital platforms to enhance parent engagement. The Director will also coordinate with the leadership gifts team on parent donors ($100K+) and with leadership gifts committees such as the Parent Task Force.
This position requires periodic travel and a commitment to maintaining a work environment characterized by openness, respect, and mutual collaboration.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Conceptualize, plan, and implement a strategic parent engagement program that caters to a highly diverse group of individuals living worldwide with the goal of raising funds for The Hotchkiss Fund. (70% of job responsibility)
- With the assistance of the Director of The Hotchkiss Fund, coordinate and implement an annual fundraising plan for each assigned constituency that includes organizing an appeal timeline, coordinating agent assignments, determining goals (dollars and participation), and targeting solicitation amounts.
- Manage philanthropic relationships of highly rated parents, which includes, but is not limited to, identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Maintain a portfolio of 50 highest rated parent prospects for The Hotchkiss Fund.
- Conduct annual, personal visits with at least 50 current parents, grandparents, or parents of alumni, volunteers and/or prospects for the purpose of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Develop, monitor, and report on Engagement metrics by which to measure progress toward program goals.
- Act as the key liaison to The Hotchkiss Parents Fund Chairs.
- Foster digital connection between parents, including the formation and growth of online platforms and groups such as the parent Facebook page.
- Maintain regular communication with Alumni and Parents via direct contact: phone calls, video calls, email blasts, social media, web pages, mailed pieces, etc.
- Monitor budgets carefully and ensure contact and personal information changes are communicated to the Advancement Services team.
Partnership with Leadership Gifts Team (15% of job responsibility)
- Collaborating with the leadership gifts officers on the cultivation/solicitation strategies for The Hotchkiss Fund and Senior Parent Gift for leadership gift prospects who are parents and alumni parents.
- Coordinate the Senior Parents Gift, in partnership with the leadership gifts team.
- Collaborate with the Parent Task Force ($100K+ parent committee) by sharing information on the THF calendar, broad-based parent engagement opportunities, and parent donors when appropriate.
Plan and execute both on and off-campus events, including recruitment and management of parent volunteers in support of The Hotchkiss Fund. (15% of job responsibility)
- Work closely with the Alumni Relations team, especially supporting the annual Parents Fund meeting.
- Collaborate with Alumni and Development (A&D) departments outside of The Hotchkiss Fund in support of the overall goals of the A&D office. Support other branded alumni and parent events such as Reunions, Donor Relations events, Leadership Giving events, Parent Agent Reception, and grandparents day.
- Travel for off-campus events (as needed) and for meetings with parents and alumni.
- Plan and participate in on-campus activities and programs.
Performs other duties as needed and assigned.
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
- Willingness and ability to travel are required.
- Bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of five years of experience or a combination of education and work experience in a related field.
- A strong and demonstrated fund management track record in a comprehensive campaign setting.
- Excellent leadership, and managerial skills with a proven commitment to teamwork and collaboration, an ability to motivate and inspire colleagues, donors, and volunteers, set a positive tone, lead by example, drive results, and attract and retain outstanding talent.
- Experience researching and interpreting financial information to develop meaningful metrics that will drive the program;
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently, with solid decision-making and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in G-Suite, Raiser’s Edge or similar fundraising software, and Microsoft Office;
- Proficient in Windows 10, with MS Office software, including Microsoft Office 2016: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Experience with Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar, and Zoom.
- Effective experience in using social media platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Flickr, etc.
- Ability to learn and manage information within a database.
- Experience working at or familiarity with educational institutions or non-profit organizations is preferred.
PHYSICAL CONDITIONS:
- Primarily an office environment.
- At events, a significant amount of time is spent standing/walking.
- Repetitive (keyboard) motion
- Extensive travel.
The essential functions and basic skills have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.
The Hotchkiss School is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to basing judgments concerning the employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities. The School is firmly committed to equal employment and advancement opportunities for all employees and applicants in all phases of the employment process (including recruitment, hiring, assignment, terms, and conditions of employment, compensation, benefits, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, and termination).
In accordance with applicable law, the School does not discriminate against any individual based on age, ancestry, color, genetic information, learning disability, marital status, past or present history of mental disability, national origin, physical disability, race, religious creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.