Director of the Annual Fund - Portsmouth Abbey School (Portsmouth, RI)

Nora OHara

Director of the Annual Fund

Direct Report: Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

The Director of the Annual Fund has a convincing track record of developing, implementing and managing an effective, comprehensive annual fund program which includes components of constituency and alumni relations. Partnering with the development team, this manager develops and implements annual fund strategies and programs that include the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of annual gifts from trustees, alumni, parents, and friends, including personal solicitations, direct mail, esolicitations, telephone solicitations, and reunion giving.

Position Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a strategic plan of action with objectives, timelines and evaluation plans for the Annual Fund program that include identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of constituents along with constituents relations.
• Create and administer a program and activities to solicit gifts from board members, alumni, parents and friends including personal solicitations, and mail programs for the Annual Fund.
• Manage and evaluate work of Annual Fund staff
• Maintain a portfolio of approximately 50 leadership and major gift prospects
• Serve as the direct liaison for alumni 30+ years out, current parents, and parents of alumni; establish individual targets and goals, and determine cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Direct Reunion year giving initiatives for classes celebrating their 40th, 45th, 50th, 55th, and 60th milestones, along with overseeing Diman Club initiatives.
• Develop annual solicitation messaging and marketing appeals. Supervise the production and mailing of all printed and electronic solicitation pieces. Coordinate with Director of Communications as needed.
• Oversee the strategy and execution of Giving Day in coordination with the full Development team.
• Use development database and report writing software to retrieve data and utilize statistics to evaluate current Annual Fund programs and to make recommendations for program changes.
• Oversee management of and communications between the Annual Fund team and all Annual Fund volunteers.
• Ensure open communication with Major Gift Team regarding contact of potential donors.
• Responsible for writing and evaluating Annual Fund program and reporting of program's progress.
• Oversee the acknowledgment and recognition of all Annual Fund gifts.
• Responsible for reporting Annual Fund progress to both internal and external constituents.
• In conjunction with the Director of Advancement, oversee Alumni Relations efforts including networking initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience & qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 5 years of progressively successful experience in fundraising are required. Experience leading an Annual Giving program in an independent school is preferred.
• Will demonstrate knowledge of the principles and practices associated with fundraising in independent schools, including personal solicitations, direct mail, esolicitations, telephone solicitations, reunion giving and donor relations.
• Strong computer and excellent writing skills are required. Experience with The Raiser’s Edge software is ideal.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to quickly adjust strategy based on data trends.
• Must be an independent and strategic thinker capable of understanding a full scope of projects while seeing individual tasks through to completion.
• Must be able to multi-task, with an ability to prioritize and manage deadlines.
• Must be a results-oriented individual who demonstrates the ability to work well with people at all levels of an organization and warmly develops relationships with diverse constituencies while employing keen judgment.
• The ability and willingness to travel on occasion.

Other Qualifications:

• All prospective employees must be able to clear a background check.

Please email a letter of interest and resume to:
Patty Gibbons
Interim Director of Advancement Portsmouth Abbey School
285 Cory’s Lane Portsmouth, RI 02871
pgibbons@portsmouthabbey.org

No phone calls please.

Salary will be commensurate with experience.