Director of Stewardship

Anticipated hiring: July 1, 2025

Westminster School, one of the leading small independent boarding schools in the country, is a diverse, co-educational high school, a close-knit community of approximately 190 employees and 430 students (75 percent boarding, 25 percent day students) set on a 200-acre campus in Simsbury, Connecticut. Since its founding in 1888, Westminster School has been committed to the core values of community, character, balance, and involvement. Our motto – virtute et numine – by grit and grace – defines and distinguishes the Westminster experience, our community, and our alumni.

The Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations is responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive stewardship program that celebrates and strengthens relationships with donors at all levels. This role ensures meaningful donor engagement through personalized communications, impactful reporting on the use of gifts, and thoughtful recognition initiatives. The Director will work closely with the Advancement team, school leadership, and other stakeholders to foster a culture of gratitude and inspire continued philanthropic support. This is a 12-month, full-time position requiring flexibility to work occasional evenings or weekends.

Responsibilities:

Donor Stewardship and Recognition

• Develop and manage a personalized stewardship program that aligns with Westminster’s mission and values.
• Oversee gift acknowledgment processes, ensuring donors are thanked promptly and appropriately based on giving levels and donor history.
• Create and execute innovative donor recognition strategies, including events, impact reports, and creative thank-you touchpoints.
• Collaborate with leadership and faculty to highlight the impact of major gifts through narratives, videos, and events​​.

Endowment and Gift Impact Reporting

• Produce customized annual reports for endowed fund donors, including updates on scholarships, teaching chairs, and programmatic funds.
• Partner with the Business Office to ensure accurate financial reporting and alignment with donor intentions.
• Implement a digital platform for endowment reporting to enhance donor engagement and transparency​​.

Strategic Donor Engagement

• Develop personalized stewardship plans for major donors and those approaching milestone giving thresholds.
• Work closely with major gift officers to identify opportunities for donor cultivation and recognition that align with donor interests.
• Lead initiatives to build long-term donor loyalty and celebrate significant lifetime contributions, such as creating named giving societies​​.

Event Planning and Execution

• Work closely with the Director of Events to plan and execute high-profile donor recognition events, including dedications and milestone celebrations.
• Coordinate with key stakeholders to ensure that events align with school priorities and appropriately recognize donor contributions​​.

Data Management and Reporting

• Maintain accurate stewardship records in the donor database, including tracking of recognition touchpoints and reporting cycles.
• Regularly audit donor records to ensure consistency and data integrity.
• Leverage data analytics to measure the effectiveness of stewardship activities and refine strategies​​.

Team Collaboration and Leadership

• Actively collaborate with the Director of Annual Giving to properly track, acknowledge, and recognize leadership donors with a focus on both acquisition and retention.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the Advancement Office and internal stakeholders to coordinate stewardship efforts across departments.
• Work closely with colleagues in the Advancement Office to provide direction and support on stewardship practices across the office, including Annual Giving, Alumni, and Family Giving.
• Supervise any staff or consultants supporting stewardship activities, providing guidance on best practices and professional development.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• 5 years of experience in stewardship, donor relations, or advancement, preferably in independent schools or higher education.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a focus on crafting compelling donor communications.
• Proficiency in donor management systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge) and digital stewardship platforms.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to interpret financial data and translate it into clear, impactful donor reports.
• High level of discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive donor information.
• Creative, proactive, and collaborative mindset.
• Strong commitment to Westminster School’s mission and values.
• Must be positive and get along with visitors, vendors, students, and colleagues.

To Apply:

Salary is competitive and the employment package consists of excellent benefits, including outstanding health care coverage and retirement plan. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to the Director of Human Resources, Pamela Daly, at pdaly@westminster-school.org.

Westminster School is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from candidates of color. Westminster School reaffirms its long-standing nondiscriminatory policy and employs individuals of any race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available at Westminster. Westminster does not discriminate in its hiring, educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, or athletic and other school-administered programs.

Job Type: Full-time

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person