Major Gifts Officer

Description

The Major Gifts Officer plays a critical role in CESJDS’s Institutional Advancement Office, contributing to the Development team’s efforts to secure major gifts, manage planned gifts, and steward the school’s endowment program. Responsible for a portfolio of major gift donors, this role oversees each step from identification to stewardship, helping secure transformational gifts to meet CESJDS’s strategic goals. The Major Gifts Officer will report to the Director of Development. 

Core Job Functions:

Major Gifts - Donor Prospecting, Cultivation, and Management

• Develops, plans, and implements a strategic major gift program as a central component of CESJDS’s Advancement strategy.
• Manages a portfolio of approximately 100 major gift prospects. Engages in all stages of the donor lifecycle: identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding.
• Cultivates and stewards relationships with prospective planned giving donors, ensuring they feel valued and recognized for their long-term commitment to CESJDS.
•  Spends 50% of work hours meeting with CESJDS constituents, including off-campus meetings and travel as necessary.
•  Partners with the Director of Development to develop tailored materials and outreach strategies to promote legacy-giving opportunities.
•  Acts as a passionate advocate for CESJDS, articulating the school’s mission, values, and priorities in a way that resonates with potential donors and reinforces long-term engagement.
• Conducts prospect research to expand and refine the portfolio of prospective major and planned giving donors.
• Regularly reviews and updates the portfolio to align with CESJDS’s current needs and funding priorities.

Donor Stewardship, Reporting, and Measurement

• Manages relationships with endowment and major gift donors, ensuring regular updates on the impact of their gifts and compliance with donor intent.
• Oversees giving societies and provides recognition and engagement for donors giving at varied levels.
• Coordinates with Development team members to plan stewardship-related events and activities.
• Collaborates with the Director of Development to set and track annual metrics and benchmarks for donor engagement, revenue generation, and portfolio growth.
• Monitors progress toward financial goals, making strategic adjustments to meet and exceed expectations.
• Records all contacts, notes, and relevant updates in CESJDS’s CRM system, ensuring accurate data and adherence to fundraising best practices.
   

Qualifications:

• Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of fundraising experience and two (2) years of major gifts fundraising, with a proven track record in securing major and planned gifts.
• Relational Skills: Strong relationship-building skills with an ability to communicate persuasively and inspire donors to support CESJDS’s mission. Experience with portfolio management, stewardship, and closing major and planned gifts. Experience with alumni engagement is considered a plus.
• Proactive Leadership: Demonstrated ability to take initiative, set strategic priorities, and proactively identify and engage high-capacity donors.
• Mission Alignment: Appreciation for the mission and values of Jewish day school education, with an enthusiastic commitment to representing CESJDS.
• Travel and Flexibility: Willingness and ability to travel as necessary for donor meeting sand school events.

To learn more about this opportunity and the School, please visit https://www.cesjds.org/about/work-at-cesjds

The Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and inclusion. We evaluate all applicants without unlawful consideration of race, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The School encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Salary : $90,000 - $110,000