Associate Director of Major Gifts

Bullis School seeks an Associate Director of Major Gifts (ADMG) who will provide expertise and experience while participating in fundraising efforts, strategies, and initiatives for Bullis School. Reporting to the Director of Advancement, the ADMG will manage a robust portfolio of current and prospective donors, with a focus on identifying, cultivating, and soliciting donors with the capacity to make high six-figure and seven-figure gifts. Working within a collaborative Advancement office, the ADMG will play an integral role in achieving annual fundraising objectives and in advancing Bullis School’s priorities. The ADMG will build partnerships with colleagues across the school to understand funding priorities and engage them as needed to build strong donor relationships.

Essential Functions

• Create a compelling case for support of Bullis’ Annual Fund program for current and potential donors.
• Develop and implement a plan for increased Annual Fund support and participation rates across all constituencies including current parents, alumni, past parents, friends, and more.
• Oversee the creation and management of a volunteer peer-to-peer solicitor network which includes strategy, messaging, and goal setting along with the recruitment, training, and retention of engaged volunteers.
• Support the development and production of all Annual Fund materials (coordinated with the Communications Department) for print, digital, and social media channels.
• Use prospect research to determine appropriate targets and solicitation strategies for individuals.
• Manage a portfolio of donors and solicit constituents for Annual Fund gifts.
• Help plan and execute cultivation and stewardship events for donors and volunteers.
• Assist with internal and external progress reports that evaluate overall success of the Annual Fund against benchmarks and develop strategies to increase effectiveness.
• Regularly analyze donor data to identify trends, preferences, and opportunities for personalized engagement.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of donor interactions, preferences, and contributions in the school's donor management system.
• Keep current with best practices, innovative developments, and trends in the annual giving field with a focus on the independent school community.
• Work with the Director of Advancement to coordinate Annual Fund giving strategies with capital campaign asks.
  
  

Required Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, sales, communications, marketing, or project management.
• Minimum of 10 years Major Gifts experience.
• Proven track record of successful fundraising in major gifts.
• Experience with volunteer management.
• The ability to effectively negotiate and persuade potential donors to make significant financial contributions.
• Proficiency in using fundraising software and databases to manage donor relationships and track fundraising progress. Knowledge of Raiser's Edge desired.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented with the ability to multi-task.
• Exceptional writing and interpersonal skills.
• Must be a collaborative team player.
• Possess a demonstrated ability to take initiative, work under pressure, meet deadlines and independently make decisions.
• Prior fundraising experience in an independent school setting preferred.
• Understanding of the Washington, DC metro area independent school landscape a plus.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including some nights and weekends.