Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Stewardship

The Schenck School, Inc.

Job Description

Job Title: Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Stewardship

Department: Administration

Reports To: Director of Development

Payroll Status: Salary, Exempt / Full Time, 12-Month

PURPOSE/GOALS:

The Assistant Director of Annual Giving & Stewardship oversees all aspects of The Schenck School’s annual fundraising efforts. They are responsible for planning, executing, and growing the School’s annual fund by creating engaging strategies for all constituencies: current parents, past parents, grandparents, alumni, faculty, and staff. They will collaborate with the Development team to increase annual fund revenue, as well as retain and upgrade donors through appropriate stewardship. The Assistant Director of Annual Giving & Stewardship must possess exceptional communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills and bring relevant fundraising experience.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITY:

• Develop a forward-thinking and sophisticated strategy for The Schenck School’s fundraising programs including the annual fund, Grandparents Day, alumni engagement, and stewardship.
• Collaboratively manage multi-channel annual fund collateral including solicitations, acknowledgments, direct mail, email marketing, online giving, social media, brochures, and other materials; generate mailings, emails, and communications to educate and solicit constituents; manage complex segmentation.
• Expand leadership donor program by building relationships with new prospects and deepening relationships with existing donors; ensure donors receive personalized and interest-specific updates on the impact of their giving.
• Analyze data and continually monitor progress to improve the program; renew and upgrade current donors and increase constituency participation rates; regularly produce reports utilizing the Raiser’s Edge database on progress, results, and trends for the Board of Trustees, Advancement Committee, and Advancement Office.
• Assist in creating and implementing annual and long-term plans for the Apogee Scholarship Fund.
• Collaborate with the Director of Development on a Planned Giving program.
• Oversee reports to endowed fund donors and assist with donor cultivation and stewardship events.
• Maintain and implement systems for data integrity and constituent information.
• Coordinate gift processing activities, pledge records, data hygiene, and reporting.
• Recruit and manage advancement volunteers; provide training, coaching, and ongoing motivation and support for soliciting peers and closing gifts; communicate proactively regarding progress and opportunities.
• Ensure current students, young alumni, and their families understand the value of a long-term relationship with the School, including philanthropic support.
• Other duties as assigned by the Head of School.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Leadership

• A strategic thinker who moves seamlessly between the “big picture” and details, anticipates future opportunities and needs, and can develop and articulate well-conceived plans to achieve goals.
• A confident and experienced manager who motivates and empowers people through artful delegation while retaining ultimate accountability.
• Someone whose combination of experience, technical expertise, intellect, empathy, and genuine care and respect for others allows him or her to forge positive and productive relationships with a wide range of constituents.
• Knows that a high degree of professional judgment, discretion, and diplomacy while maintaining a high level of confidentiality are keys to a successful leader.
• Energetic team player with the ability to provide prompt, courteous customer service with the ability to inspire others.
• Ability to listen carefully to and understand others’ needs internally and externally.
• A positive can-do mentality, sense of humor, and proven ability to work collaboratively within cross-functional partnerships.

Experience

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited university plus 3-5 years of experience in fundraising, preferably for a non-profit or independent school environment.
• Ability to work as a supportive team member, often acting/serving “behind the scenes” on behalf of others.
• A track record of successfully working with varied constituents, including volunteers, parents, vendors, board members, students, staff, and alumni.
• Proficient knowledge of data segmentation and analysis; understanding of fundraising software, Raiser’s Edge, gift processing and donor relations, social networking, and electronic marketing.
• Possess a good understanding of best practices and embrace professional development.

Skills and Knowledge

• Excels in both written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage numerous detailed tasks, anticipate and meet deadlines, and use time effectively.
• Proficient with Google Workspace and Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge.
• Flexible and hardworking self-starter who excels at prioritizing and multitasking.
• Superior attention to detail, and ability to work successfully both independently and collaboratively.
• Demonstrate meticulous project management skills, displaying exceptional attention to detail and follow-through, as well as an ability to balance competing priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Proven ability to make strategic decisions, solve problems manage own workflow and tasks, and independently manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.