Director of Development Major and Planned Gifts

Job Title: Director of Development – Major and Planned Gifts

Division/Department: Advancement

Reports to: Director of Institutional Advancement

Direct Reports: None

Location: Palos Verdes, CA

FLSA Status: Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Development is a senior fundraising leader responsible for advancing Chadwick School’s philanthropic priorities through the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of leadership and major gift donors. Reporting to and working closely with the Director of Institutional Advancement (DIA), the Director develops and implements strategic fundraising initiatives to strengthen annual giving, expand major gift support, deepen donor relationships, and drive the successful planning and execution of Chadwick School’s major gift campaign.

The Director manages a portfolio of leadership and major gift prospects, develops tailored donor engagement and solicitation strategies, and collaborates with the DIA, Advancement team, volunteers, and school leadership to secure transformational philanthropic support. The Director also identifies and pursues grant funding opportunities, provides strategic leadership for donor stewardship initiatives, and leads the planning, implementation, and evaluation of signature Advancement events that strengthen donor relationships and advance Chadwick School’s fundraising priorities.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Major Gifts Fundraising

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 125–150 leadership and major gift prospects through all phases of the donor engagement cycle, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, with a focus on securing repeat gifts, strengthening donor loyalty, and cultivating long-term philanthropic relationships.
• Develop and implement customized cultivation and solicitation strategies for major gift prospects, aligning donor interests and philanthropic priorities with Chadwick School’s fundraising goals to maximize giving potential and foster long-term donor engagement.
• Personally, solicits annual gifts, major campaign contributions, and planned gifts to advance Chadwick School’s philanthropic priorities, strengthen donor relationships, and secure sustained, long-term financial support.
• Collaborate with the DIA, Advancement team, and campaign volunteers to develop and implement major gift strategies, strengthen donor engagement, and advance Chadwick School’s fundraising and major gift campaign priorities.
• Identify appropriate grant opportunities and develop, prepare, and submit compelling grant proposals that align with Chadwick School’s mission, strategic priorities, and fundraising goals.
• Develop and prepare gift agreements, donor stewardship reports, and tailored donor communications for individuals, corporations, and foundations to ensure clear documentation of philanthropic commitments, demonstrate the impact of giving, and strengthen long-term donor relationships.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit planned giving opportunities and transformational philanthropic investments that advance Chadwick School’s long-term financial sustainability, support strategic priorities, and strengthen the school’s culture of philanthropy.

Major Gift Campaign Leadership

• Actively contribute to the development and execution of major gift campaign priorities, strategic prospect plans, and volunteer engagement initiatives to advance fundraising goals and strengthen donor relationships.
• Develop and prepare major gift campaign materials, comprehensive donor briefings, and tailored solicitation strategies to support fundraising initiatives, strengthen donor engagement, and maximize philanthropic support.
• Monitor and evaluate major gift campaign progress against fundraising goals, analyze results, and recommend strategic adjustments to maximize fundraising outcomes and increase philanthropic support.

Volunteer & Board Engagement

• Collaborate with capital campaign volunteer leaders to strengthen philanthropic engagement, deepen donor relationships, expand fundraising opportunities, and advance major gift campaign priorities in support of Chadwick School’s long-term strategic goals.
• Serve as a staff liaison to the Board’s Advancement Committee and participate in capital campaign meetings as assigned, providing fundraising updates, strategic insights, and support to advance Chadwick School’s philanthropic priorities and campaign objectives.

Stewardship & Donor Engagement

• Develop and implement meaningful, personalized donor stewardship experiences that recognize philanthropic generosity, demonstrate the impact of giving, strengthen donor relationships, and inspire continued philanthropic investment in Chadwick School.
• Oversee Chadwick School’s cumulative giving recognition program and donor stewardship initiatives, ensuring meaningful recognition of philanthropic contributions, fostering lasting donor relationships, and encouraging continued engagement and support.

Development Operations

• Collaborate with advancement staff to strengthen operational efficiency, maintain effective systems and accurate reporting, enhance donor stewardship, and deliver exceptional customer service in support of Chadwick School’s fundraising and philanthropic priorities.
• Partner with advancement staff to support the management of the advancement budget, oversee gift processing workflows, ensure timely and personalized donor acknowledgments, and maintain accurate fundraising reports to support operational efficiency and fundraising goals.
• Continuously assess and enhance fundraising processes, systems, and data management practices to improve operational efficiency, ensure data accuracy and integrity, and strengthen the effectiveness of Chadwick School’s advancement operations.
• Leverage fundraising metrics, performance indicators, and data analytics to evaluate fundraising effectiveness, identify trends and opportunities, measure progress toward goals, and inform strategic decision-making to maximize philanthropic support for Chadwick School.

Advancement Events

• Provide strategic leadership for Chadwick School’s signature fundraising and donor stewardship events, assist with the planning, implementation, and evaluation to strengthen donor engagement, advance philanthropic priorities, and maximize fundraising impact, including:
  • Golf Tournament Committee
  • Chadwick Parents Association - Spring Gala Committee
  • Legacy Dinner
  • MacFarlane Leadership Scholarship Dinner
• Collaborate closely with advancement staff to plan and execute strategic events that deepen donor relationships, enhance philanthropic engagement, and advance Chadwick School’s fundraising priorities and goals.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented, and high-performing team culture that promotes communication, accountability, continuous improvement, and a shared commitment to advancing Chadwick School’s philanthropic mission and fundraising goals.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of Chadwick School’s academic programs, strategic priorities, and campus initiatives to effectively communicate the school’s mission, institutional impact, and philanthropic needs to donors, prospects, volunteers, and other key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with colleagues across departments to identify and develop philanthropic opportunities, align fundraising initiatives with institutional priorities, and strengthen constituent engagement in support of Chadwick School’s mission and long-term success.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the advancement team and Chadwick School’s institutional priorities and philanthropic goals.