Director of Development Major and… at Chadwick School · Palos…

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.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, preferably in independent schools, higher education, or nonprofit organizations.
• Demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and securing major gifts ranging from five to seven figures, with a proven ability to build strong donor relationships and advance significant philanthropic commitments.
• Experience supporting comprehensive capital campaigns, including major gift fundraising, donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success managing a portfolio of major gift prospects and achieving fundraising goals through strategic donor cultivation, personalized solicitation, and effective stewardship.
• Experience collaborating with volunteer leaders and campaign committees to advance fundraising priorities, strengthen donor engagement, and achieve campaign goals.
• Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and build strong relationships with donors, volunteers, school leadership, and other key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain strong relationships through emotional intelligence, active listening, empathy, and a thoughtful, donor-centered approach to engagement.
• Exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, balance competing demands, and consistently meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience leveraging fundraising metrics, data analytics, and performance reports to evaluate results, identify opportunities, and inform strategic decision-making.
• Experience with fundraising databases, preferably Veracross, and proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
• Demonstrated integrity, sound judgment, and commitment to the highest ethical standards and maintaining 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 to support donor engagement, fundraising initiatives, and Advancement events.

PREFERRED CHARACTERISTICS

The successful candidate will be:

• A collaborative and inspiring fundraising leader who fosters teamwork and advances a shared vision for philanthropic success.
• A strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to identify innovative fundraising opportunities.
• An exceptional relationship builder who connects donors’ philanthropic interests with Chadwick School’s mission and priorities.
• A proactive, results-oriented self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Passionate about independent school education and the transformative impact of philanthropy in strengthening Chadwick School and independent education more broadly.

Compensation

$150,000–$160,000, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT

• Required to lift and carry up to a maximum of 25 lbs., in a correct manner consistent with the appropriate training provided by the School.
• Occasionally required to use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, touch and use tools, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, bend, stoop, twist, lift, reach, push, pull, grasp, balance, kneel, crouch, crawl, grasp, talk, hear, and walk during the course of employment.
• Walking and being outdoors for somewhat extended periods of time on a regular basis is part of the job as the school sits on 45 acres of land.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and an ability to adjust focus.
• Will extensively use telephone, computer, copier, and other office equipment in the course of a day.

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. This may include warm, hot, or cold temperatures. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

CLEARANCES

Required Screenings: TB assessment Clearances: Livescan background check

Note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, and responsibilities that are required of the position.

By submitting an Employment Application, I hereby understand and agree that consistent with its obligations under Education Code Section 44051 subd. (a)(2) and as a part of the application consideration process, Chadwick School will contact each Educational Employer and inquire about your employment history including, without limitation, whether I was the subject of any credible complaints of, substantiated investigations into, or discipline for, egregious misconduct, as defined in Education Code Section 44932, subd. (a)(1).