Leadership Annual Giving Officer Position Available In Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut

Leadership Annual Giving Officer 4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars Watertown, CT 06795 Overview The Taft School seeks a dynamic and results-driven Leadership Annual Gift Officer to join its Alumni & Development team. This individual will be instrumental in advancing Taft’s mission by managing a portfolio of approximately 200 leadership-level prospects (those giving $1,890+ annually), with a focus on the discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors in support of the Taft Fund (Annual Fund). In addition to frontline fundraising responsibilities, the Leadership Annual Gift Officer will oversee the Reunion Giving Program, partnering with volunteers to design and implement strategies that inspire increased engagement and philanthropic support from alumni celebrating milestone reunion years. As Taft prepares to embark on a historic comprehensive fundraising campaign, this position takes on heightened strategic importance. The Leadership Annual Gift Officer will be a key contributor to growing annual giving, helping to identify and cultivate the next generation of major gift prospects. Success in this role requires strong collaboration with colleagues across the Alumni & Development team, a systems-minded approach to donor engagement, and a deep commitment to building lasting relationships that advance Taft’s mission, values, and long-term vision.

Position Requirements:

The duties and responsibilities of the Leadership Annual Gift Officer include, but are not limited to: Manage a portfolio of ~200 alumni, parents, and friends with the capacity to give at or above the $1,890+ level annually. Build and strengthen relationships through personalized engagement, regular contact, and strategic cultivation. Conduct donor outreach primarily through Zoom meetings, phone calls, emails, direct mail, and occasional in-person visits (limited travel required). Create and execute thoughtful solicitation strategies for each prospect, including annual and special appeals, including Day of Giving. Collaborate closely with colleagues across the Alumni and Development team to ensure a holistic approach to donor engagement, recognizing that new donors at the $1,890+ level may be future major gift prospects. Align efforts to support long-term cultivation and stewardship of donors. Maintain detailed records of donor interactions and strategies in the school’s CRM/database (Raiser’s Edge). Other duties as assigned. Oversee the strategy and execution of the Reunion Giving Program, with a focus on increasing participation and dollars raised for the Taft Fund. Recruit, train, and manage reunion volunteers (typically Class Agents) to serve as class fundraising leaders and ambassadors. Collaborate with colleagues on reunion class communications, events, and other engagement activities. Establish and monitor progress toward reunion giving goals, providing regular updates to internal stakeholders and volunteers. Lead the management of gift efforts for milestone class reunions.

Minimum Desired Qualifications:

Expertise in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, and the Internet is required in all aspects of normal daily activities. Bachelor’s degree and 2+ years of experience in annual giving, fundraising, or relationship management, preferably in education or non-profit settings. Proven track record of cultivating and soliciting individual donors, especially at the leadership annual giving level. Experience using data to evaluate and plan is essential. Strong interpersonal and communication skills; comfortable engaging alumni and parents across generations and geographies. Self-motivated, organized, and able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines independently. Demonstrated ability to meet targets and goals. Proficiency with fundraising databases (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce), Microsoft Office Suite, and Google Workspace applications. Strong ability to collaborate effectively, contribute to team goals, and work well in a group setting. Willingness to participate in events on and off campus, including Alumni Weekend, Family Weekend, campus visits, Commencement, dedications, recognition events, regional programs, and more as part of the Alumni & Development team. Commitment to the mission and values of The Taft School. Experience managing reunion or volunteer-based giving programs. Familiarity with independent school fundraising or boarding school culture. Understanding of comprehensive campaign fundraising and the value of multi-year and recurring giving.

Work Environment:

This position is primarily based on-site at The Taft School in Watertown, CT, with the flexibility to work remotely one day per week. This role may require occasional evening and weekend hours to support donor engagement events and related activities both on and off campus.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

From $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

403(b) Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Schedule:

8 hour shift Evenings as needed Weekends as needed People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location:

In person