Director of Development Major and Planned Gifts

Chadwick School•Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Development is a senior fundraising leader in Chadwick School’s Advancement department, reporting to the Director of Institutional Advancement. The role advances the school’s philanthropic priorities through the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of leadership and major gift donors. The Director develops and implements fundraising initiatives to strengthen annual giving, expand major gift support, deepen donor relationships, and plan and execute the school’s major gift campaign. The Director manages a portfolio of approximately 125–150 leadership and major gift prospects; creates tailored donor engagement and solicitation strategies; identifies grant opportunities and prepares proposals; and pursues planned gifts and transformational philanthropic investments. The role also provides strategic leadership for donor stewardship and signature Advancement events, collaborates with campaign volunteers and school leadership, and supports effective Advancement operations, systems, reporting, and data practices. The position is based in Palos Verdes, California. Local and national travel, as well as evening and weekend work, may be needed. The work involves regular walking and outdoor activity on the school’s 45-acre campus, occasional physical tasks including lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds, and extensive use of office equipment. The role requires a TB assessment and Livescan background check.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least eight years of progressively responsible fundraising experience.
Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and securing major gifts ranging from five to seven figures.
Demonstrated success managing a major gift prospect portfolio and achieving fundraising goals through strategic cultivation, personalized solicitation, and stewardship.
Experience collaborating with volunteer leaders and campaign committees to advance fundraising priorities and campaign goals.
Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
Ability to build relationships through emotional intelligence, active listening, empathy, and donor-centered engagement.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience using fundraising metrics, data analytics, and performance reports.
Experience with fundraising databases and proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
Integrity, sound judgment, ethical conduct, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
Commitment to Chadwick School’s mission, Core Values, and educational philosophy.
Ability to travel locally and nationally and work evenings and weekends as needed.
Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds and perform the physical activities described in the posting.
Required TB assessment and Livescan background check.

Nice To Haves

Experience in independent schools, higher education, or nonprofit organizations is preferred.
Experience supporting comprehensive capital campaigns, including major gift fundraising, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, is strongly preferred.
Experience with Veracross is preferred.
Collaborative and inspiring fundraising leadership.
Strategic thinking and an entrepreneurial mindset to identify innovative fundraising opportunities.
Ability to connect donors’ philanthropic interests with the school’s mission and priorities.
Proactive, results-oriented approach and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Passion for independent school education and the impact of philanthropy.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of approximately 125–150 leadership and major gift prospects through identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Develop customized cultivation and solicitation strategies aligned with donor interests and Chadwick School’s fundraising goals.
Personally solicit annual gifts, major campaign contributions, and planned gifts.
Collaborate with the Director of Institutional Advancement, Advancement team, and campaign volunteers on major gift strategies and campaign priorities.
Identify grant opportunities and prepare and submit grant proposals aligned with the school’s mission and priorities.
Prepare gift agreements, donor stewardship reports, and tailored communications for individuals, corporations, and foundations.
Identify, cultivate, and solicit planned giving opportunities and transformational philanthropic investments.
Contribute to the development and execution of major gift campaign priorities, prospect plans, and volunteer engagement initiatives.
Prepare campaign materials, donor briefings, and tailored solicitation strategies.
Monitor campaign progress, analyze results, and recommend strategic adjustments to advance fundraising goals.
Collaborate with capital campaign volunteer leaders to strengthen donor engagement and fundraising opportunities.
Serve as staff liaison to the Board’s Advancement Committee and participate in capital campaign meetings as assigned.
Develop and implement personalized donor stewardship experiences and oversee the cumulative giving recognition program.
Collaborate with Advancement staff to improve operational efficiency, donor stewardship, reporting, and customer service.
Support advancement budget management and gift processing workflows; ensure timely donor acknowledgments and accurate fundraising reports.
Assess and improve fundraising processes, systems, and data management practices.
Use fundraising metrics, performance indicators, and data analytics to evaluate effectiveness and inform decisions.
Provide strategic leadership for signature fundraising and stewardship events, including the Golf Tournament, Chadwick Parents Association Spring Gala, Legacy Dinner, and MacFarlane Leadership Scholarship Dinner.
Collaborate with Advancement staff to plan, execute, and evaluate strategic events.
Foster a collaborative, service-oriented, high-performing team culture.
Maintain knowledge of the school’s academic programs, strategic priorities, and campus initiatives to communicate its mission and philanthropic needs.
Collaborate across departments to identify philanthropic opportunities and align fundraising with institutional priorities.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Advancement team and school priorities.