The Hotchkiss School seeks a Director of The Hotchkiss Fund to join the Alumni & Development team and play a key role in advancing the School’s first large-scale comprehensive campaign in thirty years. The Director will oversee a comprehensive $6M+ annual giving program that seeks annual operating unrestricted and restricted gifts through The Hotchkiss Fund and targeted initiatives. The ideal candidate for this position will be an ambitious, collegial, and data-driven fundraiser and marketer, with the ability to execute a disciplined annual calendar of broad-based solicitations, adeptly advance a portfolio of annual leadership donor prospects, manage multiple fundraising projects, and oversee a team of four professionals.

The Director will work closely with the Leadership Gifts, Gift Planning, and Donor Relations team to collaborate on initiatives, coordinate relationships with donors, and assist in the identification and cultivation of potential leadership gifts donors; with the Constituent Relations team to build upon engagement opportunities with key stakeholder groups; and with the Advancement Services team to work on data exports for solicitations and metrics as well as management of online tools for volunteers. The Director will also work with the Communications Office and other program departments.

The Director will be a mission-driven ambassador and advocate for The Hotchkiss Fund and the School, as the person interacts regularly with volunteers, donors, parents, faculty, and school leadership. With the THF team, this person will recruit, educate, train, and manage class- and reunion-based Hotchkiss Fund volunteers and supervise volunteer leaders.

The School is eager to accept applications from individuals who are excited to support an inclusive and warm working and learning community for students and employees from a wide array of backgrounds and experiences.

Essential Functions: 

• Build an annual calendar of broad-based solicitations via direct printed and digital mail, along with texting campaigns;
• Organize and execute the annual Day of Giving;
• Oversee and execute targeted micro-campaigns, such as reunion, class gifts, and other targeted initiatives that involve soliciting multiple non-leadership gifts prospects;
• Oversee the volunteer program, providing training and a robust volunteer management system;
• Increase annual leadership gifts through management of a portfolio of up to 50 annual leadership donor prospects;
• Oversee portfolio work of team members and volunteers;
• Build and maintain communications with key stakeholders, constituents, and prospects;
• Provide regular, detailed reports and information to the Chief Advancement Officer, as well provide reports three times a year to the Development Committee of the Board of Trustees;
• Work closely with members of the Alumni & Development Office to support overall campaign goals and objectives;
• Demonstrate a commitment to the mission and values of Hotchkiss and be able to successfully articulate a compelling case for The Hotchkiss Fund and other strategic priorities; and
• Perform other duties as needed and assigned.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree and/or a minimum of seven years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising;
• A strong and demonstrated annual fund management track record in a comprehensive campaign setting;
• Excellent leadership, managerial, and supervisory skills with a proven commitment to teamwork and collaboration, an ability to motivate and inspire colleagues, donors, and volunteers, set a positive tone, lead by example, drive results, and attract and retain outstanding talent;
• Self-motivated, goal-oriented, and possessing a growth mindset and high emotional intelligence;
• A demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively, make data-driven decisions, work well under pressure, and manage details of several concurrent projects;
• Superior annual fund marketing skills, both technical and in writing cases, brochures, and appeals;
• Experience researching and interpreting financial information to develop meaningful metrics that will drive the program;
• Capacity to respond with insight, tact, and sensitivity to the concerns of donors, volunteers, and colleagues;
• A demonstrated ability to articulate strategic priorities in a compelling manner with diverse constituencies;
• Stays abreast of industry best practices and technological advancements in annual giving;
• Advanced skills in Excel (data exports and data merges), Constant Contact or similar software, Hustle; and GiveCampus;
• Proficiency in G-Suite, Raiser’s Edge or similar fundraising software, and Microsoft Office;
• Must be able to travel and work flexible hours, when needed, including weekends and evenings;

COVID-19:

Given the persistent risks of the spread of the Covid-19 virus – risks that are heightened due to the emergence of more highly transmissible variants – all employees of the School are required to be fully vaccinated by their first day of work as a condition of employment. Employees who are unable to receive the vaccine due to disability, medical condition, or a sincerely held religious belief may request an exemption, which will be reviewed by the School to determine the availability of any reasonable accommodations.

Physical Conditions:

• Primarily an office environment.
• At events, a significant amount of time standing/walking.
• Repetitive (keyboard) motion
• Extensive travel.

The essential functions and basic skills have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This position description is subject to change at any time.

The Hotchkiss School is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to basing judgments concerning the employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities. The School is firmly committed to equal employment and advancement opportunities for all employees and applicants in all phases of the employment process (including recruitment, hiring, assignment, terms and conditions of employment, compensation, benefits, training, promotion, transfer, discipline and termination).

In accordance with applicable law, the School does not discriminate against any individual based on age, ancestry, color, genetic information, learning disability, marital status, past or present history of mental disability, national origin, physical disability, race, religious creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.