Career Center

Shady Side Academy is seeking a Senior Major Gifts Officer to join the Alumni & Development Team. 

Senior Major Gifts Officer reports to and works closely with the Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO) to develop and implement a comprehensive major gifts strategy, in support of SSA’s mission, values, strategic goals, and future capital campaigns.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Identify, research, cultivate, solicit, and steward current and prospective donors of leadership gifts, planned gifts, endowment, capital, and annual fund gifts and pledges through fundraising best practices and strategies.

• Maintain and increase donor engagement, and secure leadership gifts through personalized correspondence, in-person solicitations, proposals, and/or other relationship-building methods.

• Manage a portfolio of 125-150 prospects including alumni, parents, community members, and other stakeholders of the Academy with a focus on securing gifts of $50,000 and above.

• Work cross-departmentally to support donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and project creation/implementation.

• Strategically plan and forecast fundraising revenue in collaboration with the CPO.

• Work with the CPO to establish clear metrics for success, track progress, and adjust strategy as required to ensure goals are achieved or exceeded.

• Participate in evening and weekend activities, including Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, receptions, special events, and travel as needed.

• Develop personal lifelong learning by participating in professional development and networking to incorporate best practices and innovative fundraising strategies.

• Perform other duties as may be required.

• Bachelor’s degree.

• 5+ years of frontline annual and/or major gift fundraising experiences with a demonstrable record of meeting performance metrics including (but not limited to) closing 6+ figure gifts

• A record of sustaining strong relationships with individual donors

• Excellent writing, proofreading, and communications skills, and meticulous attention to detail

• Collegiality, a sense of humor, flexibility, dependability, creativity, self-motivation, and the ability to work effectively with a team

• Knowledge of donor database and prospect management systems

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Shady Side Academy is a diverse community of students and adults who share different cultural values and perspectives. We embrace each other’s differences and backgrounds, and we know that this diversity adds to the richness and depth of our students’ overall learning experience. Faculty members work to ensure a safe and open environment where understanding is central to all, and students’ differences are celebrated as an integral part of the educational experience.

Compensation 

Salary is competitive with area independent schools and commensurate with experience. Excellent health and retirement benefits are part of the employment package. Funding exists to support continuing education and professional development. Financial benefits include tuition remission for children of full-time employees, discounts on summer programs, and after-school programs. There may be free on campus housing opportunities available through participation in our Senior School Residential Life program.

Application Information 

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, a resume, and the names and contact information of three references via the employment page at www.shadysideacademy.org.  Shady Side Academy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability.

 About Shady Side Academy

Shady Side Academy is a nationally respected private school in Pittsburgh for boys and girls in grades pre-kindergarten through 12, with an optional boarding experience in high school. Shady Side Boasts an 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio, with an average class size of 15.  Four age-specific campuses with extraordinary resources, teachers who actively mentor, a forward-thinking curriculum, a diverse and inclusive community, and a legacy of alumni accomplishments all inspire Shady Side students to high achievement in academics, the arts, athletics, and to meaningful ambitions in life. Visit the school’s web site at www.shadysideacademy.org  Our campuses are tobacco-free.

About Shady Side Academy

Shady Side Academy is a nationally respected private school in Pittsburgh for boys and girls in grades pre-kindergarten through 12, with an optional five and seven-day boarding experience in high school. Three age-specific campuses with extraordinary resources, teachers who actively mentor, a forward-thinking curriculum, a diverse and inclusive community, and a legacy of alumni accomplishments all inspire Shady Side students to high achievement in academics, the arts and athletics, and to meaningful ambitions in life.

Connections working at Shady Side Academy