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Director of Development
Thomas Jefferson School
Application
Details
Posted: 26-Jan-26
Location: Saint Louis, Missouri
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Development/Fund Raising
Required Education:
4 Year Degree
Overview
Thomas Jefferson School (TJ) seeks a seasoned, relationship-driven development leader to support the school’s philanthropic priorities with a clear and sustained focus on major and leadership gifts. Reporting directly to the Head of School, the Director of Development is a member of the senior leadership team and serves as the school’s lead strategist and relationship manager for transformational philanthropy.
This role is centered on cultivating deep, trust-based relationships with alumni, parents, trustees, and friends of the school; personally managing a portfolio of major gift prospects; and partnering closely with the Head of School and Board of Trustees to secure significant philanthropic investments aligned with TJ’s strategic priorities.
The successful candidate will be an experienced major gift fundraiser who excels in one-on-one engagement, understands how to guide donors toward meaningful commitments, and is energized by developing a high-impact program within a close-knit school community.
The Opportunity
TJ is entering a period of focused philanthropic growth. With strong leadership, an engaged Board of Trustees, and a deeply loyal alumni community, the school is well positioned to convert engagement and readiness into significant major and leadership gifts.
Sustaining the Annual Fund is also foundational to TJ’s philanthropic success. The Director of Development will provide strategic leadership for the Annual Fund, ensuring it reflects TJ’s values, strengthens donor loyalty, and serves as a meaningful entry point to deeper engagement and future major giving. While execution may be shared with colleagues and partners, the Director will be responsible for aligning Annual Fund strategy with broader development goals and long-term relationship building.
As a small institution with an outsized reputation, TJ offers the Director of Development the opportunity to:
Focus primarily on high-value donor relationships and solicitations
Partner directly with the Head of School on leadership-level philanthropy
Engage trustees as active partners in major gift cultivation and asking
Help shape the philanthropic future of a school whose impact extends far beyond its size
This role is ideal for a development leader who prefers relationship-centered fundraising over transactional volume and thrives in an environment where credibility, trust, and long-term partnership matter most.
Key Responsibilities
Major & Leadership Giving
Personally manage and grow a portfolio of major and leadership gift prospects
Design and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies
Partner closely with the Head of School on top-tier donor relationships and solicitations
Secure leadership and transformational gifts aligned with institutional priorities
Annual Fund Strategy & Integration
Provide strategic oversight of the Annual Fund, ensuring it supports donor retention, engagement, and pipeline development
Align Annual Fund messaging and timing with institutional priorities and leadership giving goals
Use Annual Fund participation and giving patterns to identify, qualify, and advance future major gift prospects
Collaborate with colleagues and external partners to ensure consistent, donor-centered execution
Donor Strategy & Stewardship
Ensure personalized, high-touch stewardship for major and leadership donors
Collaborate with colleagues and external partners to deliver thoughtful donor communications and recognition
Maintain long-term donor relationships that encourage sustained and increased philanthropic investment
Board & Volunteer Engagement
Serve as staff liaison to development-related committees of the Board of Trustees
Effectively engage trustees as active partners in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship through clear strategy, guidance, and sustained support
Provide strategic updates and insights to support leadership-level fundraising decisions
Institutional Storytelling and Representation
Articulate TJ’s mission, impact, and priorities with clarity and authenticity
Represent the school confidently with donors, alumni, parents, and external stakeholders
Ensure donor-facing messaging supports leadership giving and long-term engagement
Strategy, Metrics, and Accountability
Use data and prospect insights to inform donor strategy and prioritization
Track progress toward major and leadership gift goals
Collaborate with leadership to assess outcomes and refine philanthropic priorities
Facility with relevant technologies (e.g., Google Workspace, Blackbaud) and willingness to learn new systems
About Thomas Jefferson School
Thomas Jefferson School (TJ) is an intentionally small, coeducational boarding and day school for students in grades 7–12. With an established reputation as an intellectual greenhouse for high-ability students, TJ offers a rigorous liberal arts curriculum within a close-knit, international community. TJ is consistently ranked among the top boarding schools and recognized by Niche as a top college-prep high school in Missouri. Learn more at www.TJS.org.
Application Process
This is a year-round position with competitive salary and benefits for a school of our size and type. Please submit a résumé and cover letter to jobs@wizenow.com with “Director of Development” in the subject line. Cover letters should be addressed to Jane Roth, Head of School. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Thomas Jefferson School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.
Necessary Skills and Qualities
Proven Major Gift Experience
Demonstrated success securing major and leadership-level gifts
Comfort managing complex donor relationships and significant solicitations
Relationship-Centered Fundraising
Skilled listener who builds trust and guides donors toward meaningful commitments
Confidence in partnering with senior leaders and trustees
Focused, Collaborative Leadership
Thrives in a role emphasizing prioritization, accountability, and follow-through
Comfortable working independently while collaborating closely with senior leadership
Collegial spirit, positive outlook, integrity, and sense of humor
Strong Communicator and Ambassador
Clear, persuasive communicator in both written and verbal contexts
Able to represent the school with confidence and professionalism
Cultural fluency, empathy, and sensitivity to linguistic and cultural differences
Community Engagement and Curiosity
Engages fully in the life of the school to authentically represent its culture
Values continuous learning and professional growth
Thomas Jefferson School is a small, coed boarding and day school for high-ability students in grades 7-12. We are known for our strong liberal-arts focus and close-knit, international community. TJ is consistently ranked among the top boarding schools in the nation and is rated by Niche as a top college-prep private high school in Missouri. As a boarding and day school, on-campus life is a major part of our program. All administrative faculty members shape and contribute to the culture of our close-knit community by engaging with students both in and out of the classroom. For more information about our school, visit www.TJS.org and refer to our Statement of Faculty Excellence and Statement of Mission and Philosophy.