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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive philanthropic growth by managing high-impact donor relationships and securing major gifts.
- Company: Join a prestigious educational institution committed to fostering a culture of giving.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for international travel.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for creativity and collaboration in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by connecting donors with impactful initiatives in education.
- Qualifications: Proven fundraising experience and exceptional communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Overall Purpose
The Director of Major Gifts is a frontline fundraiser responsible for driving philanthropic growth by managing a portfolio of high-impact donors. This role focuses on identifying, cultivating, and stewarding prospects capable of leadership annual, major, and planned gifts. As a key collaborator within the development team, the Director of Major Gifts aligns donor passions with institutional strategic initiatives to foster a vibrant culture of giving.
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities
- Manage a targeted portfolio of 75-100 major gift prospects, developing bespoke "moves management" plans to transition prospects into committed donors.
- Implement individualized strategies that align a prospect’s philanthropic goals with institutional needs, utilizing data and research to inform appropriate ask amounts.
- Collaborate with the Director of Development and Giving Manager to draft compelling gift proposals, case statements, and donor-facing materials.
- Partner with the Director of Development Services to execute creative cultivation plans and ensure all activities, meetings, and outcomes are documented in the CRM for team-wide transparency.
- Support high-priority campaigns, special initiatives, and fundraising events. Attend school and Advancement-hosted events to build community presence.
- Collaborate with development colleagues and volunteers to deliver high-touch stewardship and impactful gift reporting.
Essential Qualifications/Experience
- Substantive progressive frontline fundraising experience with a proven track record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts.
- Building and developing effective relationships.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, highly organized and a problem-solver, positive and friendly, strong people management and interpersonal skills.
- High emotional intelligence, attentive listening, and the ability to build credibility with major prospect stakeholders.
- Willingness to travel internationally and attend events outside of school hours and on weekends.
- A steadfast commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of children.
Desirable Qualifications/Experience
- Advanced degree preferred.
- Knowledge proficiency in Blackbaud Raiser's Edge.
- Knowledge and understanding of American and/or international educational institutions.
- Embraces continuous learning and collaborative problem solving, contributes creativity, initiative and teamwork to a mission-aligned development culture.
- Experience training or managing fundraising volunteers and committees.
- Ability to manage multiple relationships and projects simultaneously.
- Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, goal-driven environment and adjust to dynamic event schedules with ease.
- Collaborative team colleague, proactive and capable of thriving in a fast‑paced, goal-driven environment.
Director of Major Gifts employer: Case
Contact Detail:
Case Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Major Gifts
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the fundraising world. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential mentors. Building relationships can open doors you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you’re chatting with prospects or at events, let your enthusiasm for the cause shine through. People are more likely to support someone who genuinely believes in what they’re doing, so wear your heart on your sleeve!
✨Tip Number 3
Be strategic with your follow-ups. After meeting someone, send a personalised message thanking them for their time and reminding them of your conversation. This keeps you fresh in their mind and shows that you value the relationship.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for passionate individuals like you. Make sure your application stands out by showcasing your unique experiences and how they align with our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Major Gifts
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Director of Major Gifts role. Highlight your frontline fundraising experience and how it aligns with our mission at StudySmarter. We want to see how your skills can drive philanthropic growth!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since exceptional verbal and written communication is key, use your application to demonstrate these skills. Write clearly and persuasively, and don’t forget to include examples of how you've built effective relationships in the past. We love a good story!
Highlight Your Collaborative Spirit: This role involves working closely with various teams, so make sure to mention any collaborative projects you've been part of. Show us how you’ve contributed to team success and how you can bring that same energy to our development team at StudySmarter.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team and making an impact!
How to prepare for a job interview at Case
✨Know Your Donors
Before the interview, dive deep into understanding the potential donors you'll be working with. Research their philanthropic interests and past contributions. This will help you articulate how their passions align with the institution's strategic initiatives during your conversation.
✨Craft Your Moves Management Plan
Be prepared to discuss your approach to managing a portfolio of major gift prospects. Outline a few bespoke 'moves management' strategies you've successfully implemented in the past. This shows your proactive nature and ability to tailor your approach to individual donor needs.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since exceptional verbal and written communication is key for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Bring examples of compelling gift proposals or case statements you've drafted, as this will demonstrate your ability to create impactful donor-facing materials.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Highlight your experience working collaboratively within a development team. Share specific examples of how you've partnered with colleagues to execute successful fundraising campaigns or events. This will illustrate your ability to thrive in a fast-paced, goal-driven environment while contributing to a mission-aligned culture.