Associate Director of Development, Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations

The Pingry School, a prestigious K-12 coeducational, independent day school with a rich history dating back to its founding by Dr. John F. Pingry in 1861, stands at the forefront of academic excellence in the United States. With campuses located in Basking Ridge, Pottersville, and Short Hills, New Jersey, Pingry is celebrated for its academic programs, a student-written Honor Code that underpins our community values, and a comprehensive commitment to arts, athletics, community, and civic engagement. Our mission is to inspire in our students a lifelong passion for learning, personal development, and social responsibility, preparing them to be global citizens and luminaries of the 21st century. Rooted in relationships and guided by our foundational philosophy, Pingry is a vibrant community of more than 1,100 students hailing from over 90 towns across New Jersey and New York. At Pingry, we are united by a love of learning and a commitment to preparing students to navigate the complexities of the 21st century with confidence and integrity. For more information, we invite you to visit our website at pingry.org or connect with The Pingry School on Facebook, X, and Instagram to discover why we love school.

Position Summary

The Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations is responsible for the strategic vision, direction, and implementation of the stewardship and donor relations program. This position will collaborate with a broad range of colleagues to advance programs and projects that strengthen donor confidence, enhance the donor experience, and increase donor satisfaction and retention. The Director will play a critical role in supporting a future capital campaign by developing and executing stewardship strategies that inspire confidence and deepen relationships with campaign donors. This position will report directly to the Director of Development and will work closely with the Individual Philanthropy and Annual Giving teams to develop strategy and execute stewardship and/or recognition plans for those constituents.

Responsibilities

• Utilize a data-driven approach to identify, analyze, and act on philanthropy trends and performance in regard to stewardship and donor relations, as well as drawing upon market-based research to anticipate, plan, and implement strategic improvements to the stewardship and donor relations program.
• Lead the planning of and support the Assistant Director of Development, Events, and Community Engagement in the execution of donor-funded programs to further affinity among all constituents, including but not limited to lecture series, dedications, groundbreakings, and planned giving, loyalty, and leadership society events.
• Support committees for endowed lectures series and awards.
• Manage all components of endowed and named funds, prizes, and awards reporting, including partnering with the Controller's Office to ensure accurate financial data.
• Lead donor recognition projects, including plaquing, scrolls, awards, and digital recognition.
• Partner with the development writer in drafting acknowledgments, impact reports, donor profiles, and other donor relations communications materials.
• Create and manage content on digital and print platforms for all endowed and named funds, prizes, awards, and planned giving, loyalty, and leadership society.
• Manage design, content, and production of annual report on giving.
• Work directly with frontline fundraisers to implement proactive, strategic stewardship plans for principal and major gift donors and prospects.
• Oversees donor recognition related to philanthropic naming of physical spaces and non-physical spaces in conjunction with the School's Naming, ensures philanthropic naming meets all required approvals, including approvals by School administrators of the terms set forth in gift agreements, and maintains up-to-date knowledge and database of available naming opportunities related to physical and non-physical spaces.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university.
• Commitment to embracing the mission of The Pingry School.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a fast-paced fundraising organization with demonstrated success in donor relations and event planning, an in-depth knowledge of principles of donor-centered programs, and the ability to identify, measure, report, and act on best practices.
• Demonstrated ability with computer software programs including but not limited to Google Docs, Microsoft Office, specifically Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Fluency with financial documents, database creation and management, financial record- keeping.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, analytical and strategic thinking capabilities, well-refined organizational skills, initiative, and creative energy.
• Knowledge of Raiser's Edge and Veracross preferred, including the ability to build reports; create and run queries and dashboards; develop analytics on various strategies; research trends; and improve ways of operation.
• A valid driver's license and ability to drive.
• In addition to honor and character, commitment to intellectual engagement, and appreciation for stewardship and sustainability, especially important is the candidate's ease with diverse constituencies and demonstrated commitment to an inclusive school community.
  
  

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply online at https://www.pingry.org/careers. The resume review process will begin in January, followed by the first round of interviews.

The Pingry School aspires to be an anti-racist community and is committed to the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Pingry is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Pingry School's employment policy is that individuals will receive equal opportunity in all matters pertaining to recruitment, employment, salary, promotion, and assignment, regardless of race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy status, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran, or other basis proscribed by federal, state, and local law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.