Blair Academy’s Office of Advancement has an opening for a 12-month, full time Director of Annual Giving. This position offers an opportunity for a talented fundraiser to lead a team, collaborate with others and continue to cultivate a rapidly growing annual fund. The successful candidate will be energetic, enthusiastic, a team player and have a creative mindset. This position reports to the Managing Director of Major Gifts and Annual Giving.

Primary responsibilities:
Primary responsibilities will include a strategic mindset for the annual fund and the programs that fall within it. This candidate will also manage a portfolio of donors and volunteers. Creativity and collaboration within the office is key to success in this role.

Fundraising (50%)

• Identify, cultivate and solicit Blair Fund gifts from assigned classes
• Manage a number of reunion classes to encourage annual giving and reunion attendance
• Identify, recruit and engage volunteers for class outreach and/or solicitation
• Manage a portfolio of assigned prospects to visit personally or work with other staff to coordinate cultivation/solicitation/stewardship outreach

Program Responsibilities (50%)

• Oversee two Blair Fund team members
• Develop mail, phone and email solicitation strategies, messages, marketing materials and website
• Manage campaigns that affect the Blair Fund dollars and donors (Day of Giving, Peddie Challenge and others)
• Manage the True Blue loyalty giving program with the Director of Stewardship
• Coordinate the solicitation of top alumni Blair Fund prospects ($500+)
• Coordinate engagement events and/or network opportunities and manage alumni-focused social media platforms in partnership with the Director of Alumni Relations

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree and five years of fundraising experience, preferably in annual giving
• Experience in leading a team
• Extensive database experience with Raiser’s Edge, Blackbaud NXT and GiveCampus
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, Zoom and email marketing platforms
• Ability to travel and attend evening and weekend events when necessary
• Exceptional writing and communication skills
• Demonstrated understanding of independent schools and philanthropy
• Demonstrated initiative to multitask and meet deadlines across multiple projects
• Ability to develop timelines and manage a budget for the annual giving program
• Curiosity, creativity and growth mindset to inspire donors and colleagues to grow the Blair Fund

School Setting:
Founded in 1848, Blair Academy is a dynamic, coeducational boarding school in northwest New Jersey where 470 students pursue a superior college preparatory education empowered by strong faculty-student relationships and a vibrant community life.

How to apply:
Resume, cover letter and salary requirement should be forwarded to Blair Academy’s human resources department at Blair Academy, P.O. Box 600, Blairstown, N.J. 07825-0600 or by email to [email protected]. No phone inquiries, please. E.O.E.

Blair Academy seeks and supports employees who enliven and strengthen our community through their contributions to our classrooms, extracurricular activities and their desire to bring people together in a welcoming, inclusive community. We are committed to hiring people from a diversity of backgrounds. We do not discriminate against any applicants, as we ensure equal employment opportunities for all.