Major Gifts Officer (rev.04072025)

Position Description and Qualifications

Job Summary:

Under the guidance of the Director of Institutional Advancement and Director of Development, the Major Gifts Officer will play a crucial role in fostering and enhancing Ensworth School's culture of philanthropy across all constituencies. As Ensworth begins the planning towards a capital campaign, this individual will be responsible for identifying and cultivating relationships with potential major donors, actively managing a portfolio of prospects, and collaborating with various stakeholders to implement effective fundraising plans.

Key Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

• Abides by Ensworth’s Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct
• Commits to the ideals expressed in Ensworth’s Mission Statement, Vision Statement, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement
• Adheres to the Essential Expectations of an Ensworth Faculty, Staff, or Administrator

Major Gifts Responsibilities:

• Prospect Research: Conduct prospect research to identify, qualify, and assess potential major donors, providing critical insights to inform outreach and solicitation strategies.
• Portfolio Management: Develop annual visitation, solicitation, and revenue goals in coordination with the Director of Institutional Advancement and Director of Development.
• Annual Giving Strategy: Collaborate with the Director of Development to implement an annual giving strategy with a specific focus on cultivating and building a robust pipeline for major gift prospects
• Relationship Building: Initiate and build long-term relationships with individuals capable of making significant contributions to Ensworth. This includes current parents, past parents, alumni, and grandparents.

Stewardship Responsibilities:

• Comprehensive Stewardship: Manage, refine, and implement a comprehensive stewardship plan that includes personalized acknowledgment, recognition, and ongoing communication with donors to ensure a positive and enduring relationship with the School.
• Event Support: Provide support for current parent, past parent, alumni, and grandparent engagement events and programs to enhance donor relationships.
• Database Integrity: Ensure the accuracy and integrity of information in the Raiser’s Edge database, maintaining up-to-date visit reports, stages, strategies, and tasks relevant to assigned prospects.

Other Duties:

• Attend meetings and events as appropriate, fostering a collaborative environment with colleagues, administrators, and high-level volunteers. 
• Abide by Ensworth’s Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct, maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and ethical behavior.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, or comparable work experience.
• Prior major gift fundraising experience required; experience in independent schools or higher education preferred.
• Demonstrated energy, enthusiasm, and focus to achieve established fundraising and participation goals.
• Proven ability to handle highly confidential personal and financial information.
• Exceptional interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Positive engagement with the Ensworth community, including faculty/staff, parents, trustees, and alumni.
• Aptitude for efficiently meeting deadlines and managing multiple projects concurrently.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products and Google Suite.
• Knowledge of relational donor database software (Raiser’s Edge & RE NXT).
• Continued Education Programs (as required by Grade Level and/or position) – Periodically participate in different training sessions identified by you, the employee and/or Divisional Leadership/Supervisor with the goal of keeping our teachers and staff up to date with current teaching methods, practices and any new knowledge in their respective field. Depending on the program, such training may need to take place outside of normal working hours and/or in the summer months.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• Regularly works in standard office or classroom conditions and climate, occasionally works outdoors in varying weather conditions and climate
• Regularly uses close and distance vision, occasionally works at a computer screen for extended periods of time, ability to observe students from various distances
• Frequently required to move around the office. Occasionally works at a desk for extended periods of time, frequently moves around campus
• Ability to occasionally move items weighing up to 30/50 lbs. across the campus and around the interior of buildings
• Sometimes works in a highly stressful environment, effectively dealing with a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and a varied and diverse array of contacts, stamina to maintain attention to detail despite interruptions
• Ability to periodically work flexible hours to support before and after-school or weekend events
• Ensworth requires employees to be physically present on campus, with limited exceptions that are at the sole discretion of the School. Under extraordinary circumstances, some or all of the workforce may be required to move to a remote working environment. Additionally, certain individuals may also be approved for limited remote work, based on the nature of the job description, specific circumstances, and only with written prior approval by a direct supervisor.

Application Requirements:

Qualified candidates should complete an online application for employment and attach a cover letter and résumé. Contact marichk@ensworth.com with any questions.

About Ensworth School:

Ensworth is a kindergarten through twelfth grade, coeducational independent school. The School promotes academic excellence and inspires students to be intellectually curious, to use their talents to the fullest, to be people of integrity, and to be contributors to society.

Located on two campuses in Nashville, Tennessee, Ensworth enrolls approximately 1,200 students and serves families in more than 50 zip codes. Ensworth is recognized among the leading independent schools in the nation. The school’s challenging academic program is embedded in a culture of support and encouragement and reflects a commitment to the core skills of observation, collaboration, communication, analysis, questioning, evaluation, and most importantly, the application of knowledge. Graduates have the adaptability, resilience, and resourcefulness necessary for success in the 21^st century and are not only prepared to meet the demands of the future but are also imbued with a sense of purpose and service to others.

Ensworth School is an extraordinary place to work and seeks employees who are passionate about learning and motivated by the opportunity to awaken that passion in students.

It is Ensworth's policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other reason prohibited by law. It is the intent and resolve of Ensworth to comply with the letter and the spirit of the law in the implementation of all facets of equal opportunity. This equal opportunity policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, evaluation, promotion, disciplinary action, termination, compensation and training. Employment decisions at Ensworth will be based on merit, qualifications and abilities.