Annual Fund Director

Job Description

Job Description

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Annual Fund Director will be an integral member of a passionate and community-focused Development Team. Situated on an idyllic campus of 30+ acres in Englewood, NJ, Dwight-Englewood School prides itself on being a community of learners – parents, students, alumni, faculty, and staff – working together to meet the challenges of a changing world and make it better.

The Annual Fund Director will have primary responsibility for the overall management of Annual Giving, including the Annual Fund which raised $1.7 million in FY24. The Annual Fund Director will be a key member of a passionate, collaborative Development Team working together to reach ambitious annual giving benchmarks. This position will implement plans and strategies to create and manage a comprehensive Annual Fund donor relations program focused on growing Annual Giving in excess of $2 million. The Annual Fund Director will collaborate closely with the Admissions, Alumni, and Communications teams to ensure high giving across multiple constituencies, notably parents, grandparents, alumni, and faculty/staff. Key aspects of this job are to promote mission-driven giving through the creation of written, digital, and video campaign materials; plan and execute events for new families and donors; solicit gifts; and recruit, train, and support volunteers.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, implement, and execute multi-channel Annual Giving appeals, execute mailings, email, ads, social media outreach, and other promotional material to increase participation and donations.

• Manage a portfolio of 100-120 mid-level, major gift, and leadership prospects up to $25,000, including overseeing moves management processes, proposals, and stewardship for this high-potential portfolio.

• Develop a comprehensive Annual Giving appeal plan, including calendar of activities/events, solicitation and segmentation methods, donor stewardship and recognition, volunteer engagement, budget, data analysis, and campaign evaluation/progress updates

• In coordination with the Director of Communications, develop and implement all annual giving creative, collateral, and branding for various digital and print channels and platforms.

• Develop and execute stewardship strategies for Annual Fund donors and volunteers to enhance the donor experience and promote a culture of philanthropy, including recognition events and multi-platform communications.

• Recruit, train, and engage 50+ volunteer co-chairs and committee members in facilitating appeal awareness, peer-to-peer solicitations, donor engagement, and event attendance.

• Analyze giving trends and response to cross media efforts and adjust strategy as needed.

• Extract giving and participation data through Raiser’s Edge reports, queries, and exports to create detailed Board of Trustees progress reports.

• Evaluate donor giving and apply research to formulate the appropriate segment and target to promote increased giving.

• Communicate with and support donors by supplying information/materials as needed.

• Engage alumnae through coordinated efforts with the Alumni Office.

• Organize and/or assist at Development and Alumni events as needed.

• Keep current with best practices, innovative developments, and trends in the annual giving field with a focus on the independent school community.

• Manage a moves management pipeline in Raiser’s Edge, tracking and capturing donor engagement activities with an eye on deepening relationships with leadership-level and major gift prospects and donors.

• Liaise with the Database Manager to ensure the timely processing and acknowledgment of gifts.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Outstanding communication, interpersonal, writing and analysis skills, including web, e-communications, and social media experience.

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

• Excellent time management skills with proven ability to meet deadlines.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Confidential, deadline oriented, team player

• Exceptional management skills, both strategic and operational, and a commitment to a team-based approach to personnel and program management

• Ability to work independently and creatively within established guidelines, while at the same time functioning as a member of a team.

• Proficient at Raisers Edge, Microsoft Office Suite, Canva, web design, Photoshop, PowerPoint, and relevant social media platforms

• A growth mindset, an attention to detail, and an affinity for mission-based educational philanthropy.

• Ability to attend evening and weekend events and receptions beyond regular hours (as needed)

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• A minimum of five years’ experience in the field of fundraising, preferably Annual Giving and volunteer management, ideally in an education or school setting.

Terms of Employment:

• This is a 12 month, on campus position

Dwight-Englewood School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, ethnicity, age, national origin, religion, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or military veteran status. The diversity of our student body supports our commitment to employ a diverse faculty and staff. Educators from all backgrounds who bring knowledge and expertise in equity, diversity and multicultural education are especially encouraged to apply.