The Director of Major Gifts is an experienced frontline fundraiser responsible for the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of an assigned pool of donors and prospective donors. The Director of Major Gifts will be an expert communicator and relationship builder with a demonstrated track record for success soliciting and closing six figure gifts. The Director of Major Gifts reports to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement.

Essential/Primary Duties

• Inspire philanthropic support from individual donors to Gulliver Prep.
• Actively cultivate prospect portfolio of 150 individuals with leadership-level philanthropic capacity.
• Speak with ease and authority on Gulliver’s fundraising priorities and gift vehicles to inform and engage donors Gulliver’s needs and funding opportunities.
• Meet with 15-20 assigned prospects monthly to advance philanthropic discussions.
• Design individual cultivation strategies for assigned prospects to facilitate growth and ultimately generate philanthropic support.
• Present multi-year gift agreements to maximize donor’s contributions and support the philanthropic needs of Gulliver.
• Participate in prospect review meetings to report on actions and moves management activity as it relates to the assigned prospect portfolio.
• Take a leadership role in event-based fundraising, securing sponsors and participants, as assigned.
• Achieve a mutually agreed upon solicitation goal to contribute to overall departmental objectives.
• Participate in all Advancement related events and be a willing colleague to engage in other aspects of school life to cultivate community relationships.
• Working knowledge of planned giving.
• Assist the Vice President for Advancement with other projects and duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Five (5) years’ experience in fundraising

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in an independent school or higher education fundraising is strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Must be a connector with high EQ who enjoys engaging with people
• Must be self-motivated to achieve individually assigned goals while positively contributing to the overall success of the team
• Conversant in conversations about personal wealth management with an understanding of philanthropic gift vehicles
• Campaign fundraising experience preferred
• Should be comfortable engaging with a diverse constituency of individuals in leadership roles
• Must have excellent written communications skills
• Should be an effective presenter who is comfortable speaking to groups
• Must be fearless, tenacious, and demonstrate a genuine passion for independent school education
• Ability to collaborate in a diverse work environment
• Must be able to handle confidential material with professionalism
• Must cultivate a respectful and inclusive workplace where colleagues and constituents feel empowered and heard

Physical Requirements

• Must attend meetings on school campuses and occasionally attend functions on weekends and evenings.
• Ability to travel locally and nationally.
• Ability to work flexible hours as needed.
• Ability to work occasional evenings, weekends and at locations outside regular business hours.

About Gulliver Preparatory School

Established in 1926 by Arthur Gulliver in Coconut Grove, Gulliver was likened to the prestigious academies of the northeast and initially attracted families who wintered in Florida. In late 1953, Marian Krutulis purchased the school. A pioneer in education, Mrs. Krutulis envisioned Gulliver as grand home where both students and teachers would feel part of a caring, inspiring family of learners. Over the course of 25 years, she relocated the school to Coral Gables, built an upper school for high school students in Pinecrest and achieved ‘Blue Ribbon School of Excellence’ designation by the US Department of Education. In 2000 Gulliver became a non-profit. Today, Gulliver Preparatory School serves approximately 2,200 students in Grades PK–12 on three campuses. Despite its significant growth over the last 60 years, Gulliver still upholds Marian Krutulis’ vision to maintain the physical and social-emotional health of its students and trains them to become people of integrity in everything they say and do.

Gulliver is deeply committed to the principles of equity and diversity and seeks to create an inclusive community for all faculty and staff. Gulliver is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and a Drug Free Workplace.