The Development and Alumni Relations Officer’s primary responsibilities are to assist with all fundraising efforts, lead special campaigns for the Annual Fund, cultivate relationships with major donors, and assist with event planning.

Saint James School is entering an exciting new phase. Having successfully completed a ten-year, $50 million dollar capital campaign and with the recent announcement that the School’s headmaster will retire in two years, the Development Office will be at the leading edge of the effort to ensure that Saint James School continues to grow and thrive as it prepares to welcome new leadership.

The Development and Alumni Relations Officer will play a pivotal role in identifying and stewarding the next generation of major donors. They will work closely with the rest of the Development Team and the Headmaster in securing major gifts in the lead up to his retirement. For the right candidate, this position provides an excellent opportunity to build their major donor relationship-building and solicitation skills.

This position reports to the Director of Development.

In the future, on-campus housing may become available. This would require increased responsibilities and opportunities to engage with students and work with faculty on campus.

Candidate Qualities:

• Be committed to personal and professional excellence and excited to raise money to support the mission of Saint James School.
• Have a desire to become an integral part of the school community and build strong relationships with our faculty, students, alumni, parents, and friends.
• Have a demonstrated ability and desire to interact with a diverse array of individuals across a variety of constituencies and ages. Groups include donors, students, faculty, staff, parents, alums, and vendors.
• Be able to move easily between broad, strategic thinking and day-to-day management of projects.
• Be a proactive self-starter who enjoys working both collaboratively and independently.
• Have a desire to actively expand the effectiveness and impact of the Development team.

Responsibilities Include:

• Build and maintain relationships with faculty, students, alumni, parents, and friends of the school.
• Manage planned giving program.
• Participate in fundraising activities and donor stewardship.
• Perform prospect research and cultivate relationships with new constituents.
• Strategize with Development and Communications teams on donor engagement across various age ranges and constituencies.
• Perform CRM/database management including entering gifts, running reports, and maintaining data health.
• Assist the Associate Director of Development and Alumni Relations with planning, executing, and participating in events, including on-campus donor events, alumni weekend, off-campus alumni receptions, and other campus events as needed.
• Provide support to the Alumni Council and its initiatives.
• Be available to work nights and weekends occasionally.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree required, plus professional experience in a non-profit organization, preferably in a public-facing role at an independent school or in higher education.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to easily relate to individuals from all backgrounds.
• Excellent attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills.
• Competency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred:

• Experience with fundraising database and/or CRM.
• Professional event planning experience.
• Demonstrated fundraising experience.

About Saint James School

Founded in 1842, Saint James School is a coeducational, Episcopal boarding school with a smaller day student program for grades 8-12 located in western Maryland. From many backgrounds, faiths, and points of view, our students are broadly educated and deeply principled. They are self-confident, well spoken, and fearless in sharing their opinions and beliefs. They are well prepared for college and life. Kind and moral, our students are inspired to lead for good. The Saint James community is distinguished by an abiding mutual respect that impacts every aspect of life and learning. Here, every person is welcome, every voice is heard, and every perspective is valued.

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