Sr. Director of Development

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Senior Director
of Development (SDD) oversees all direct fundraising units
including the NMH Fund, major gifts for domestic and international
supporters, and legacy giving with primary responsibility for
securing financial success of the current $225 million This
Place, This Moment: The Campaign for Northfield Mount Hermon.
The position manages a team of 7-10 staff professionals and many
volunteers including Trustees, members of the Campaign Committee,
Alumni and Family Councils, and others as needed both to accomplish
the work and to engage constituents in meaningful ways. The
position carries an advancement portfolio of 75+ potential donors
created in collaboration with the Chief Advancement Officer to meet
institutional goals and to align with SDD’s past experience and
knowledge of specific regions or constituents. 

 

Major Functions and Key Accountabilities

 

The SDD is primarily responsible for overseeing and continuously
improving a comprehensive development program for NMH for the
duration This Place, This Moment: The Campaign for
Northfield Mount Hermon. This requires knowledge and
expertise of educational fundraising programs that rely largely on
a matrixed-approach to secure individual gifts from alumni, parents
and friends using both class and regional structures for economies
of scale. NMH is fortunate to have a robust structure of volunteers
who provide support to staff teams and, ideally, are more engaged
with and consequently more generous to the institution as a result.
Thus, the position requires deft volunteer management skills. In
addition to ongoing close collaboration with the Chief Advancement
Officer, the Senior Director of Development will work closely with
the Senior Director of Advancement and the Director of Marketing
& Communications to shape an overall culture of generosity,
gratitude and action within the division, across the campus and
throughout our world-wide NMH community. These oversight
responsibilities account for approximately 40% of the Director’s
energies.

 

The SDD manages a semi-fluid portfolio of at least 75 potential
donors capable of making significant philanthropic gifts to the
institution including consistent annual leadership support of the
NMH Fund, major gifts for campaign priorities, and often some type
of deferred gift. The SDD works with the people in the portfolio at
all levels of the philanthropic cycle including identification,
qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. Many of
the people in this portfolio are apt to be key volunteers, former
Trustees and other special members of the NMH community. The direct
fundraising aspect of the position accounts for approximately 40%
of the SDD’s energies and includes frequent travel and evening and
weekend work.

 

The SDD will work closely with the Senior Director of
Advancement and likely with an external consultant to determine
effective processes to create and manage all donor portfolio
assignments including those for the Head of School, and will assist
with donor research needs as appropriate. While NMH is fortunate to
have a sufficient pool of potential donors to meet campaign
objectives, portfolio assignments need to be prioritized based on
current realities. To do this effectively, we plan to develop an
articulated prospect management strategy and accompanying ongoing
research strategy. The SSD will be an active thought partner,
designer and implementer of these systems going forward. It is
expected that prospect management will account for approximately
10% of the SDD’s time.

 

The SSD will work collaboratively with the Senior Director of
Advancement and the Director of Marketing & Communications to
ensure that all campaign media help fundraising staff and
volunteers to secure enthusiasm and funds for campaign priorities
in integrated and timely ways. The SDD’s work will largely entail
providing feedback from constituents on the effectiveness of
current communications including areas of confusion or need for
greater elaboration. It is expected that this aspect of the work
will take approximately 10% of the SDD’s time. 

 

The Senior Director of Development needs to be familiar with NMH
culture and traditions and should be a respected campus leader and
member of the NMH community. While the position will not be
required to serve as teaching faculty nor assume non-Advancement
responsibilities, there will be expectations of attending key
campus activities as travel allows, periodically eating in the
dining hall and getting to know teachers, coaches and students.

 

Qualifications and Experience

 

Bachelor’s degree is required;
advanced degree preferred.
Proven abilities of effective
fundraising and management and supervision of fundraisers.
Demonstrated abilities to hire, coach
and develop staff members to meet institutional needs.
Demonstrated experience in effective
volunteer management and choreography.
Excellent people and project
management skills and experience.
Strong interpersonal, written and
verbal communication skills with the capacity and expectation to
thrive in a fast-paced environment; able to manage multiple
concurrent projects; comfort with ambiguity; and ability to build
organizational and cross-functional awareness. High attention to
detail. Exemplary customer service skills.
Ability to work independently and
creatively within established guidelines, while at the same time
functioning as a member of several collaborative teams.
Creativity, curiosity, sense of
humor, and an enthusiasm for meeting and working with a wide range
of individuals.
Comfort with technology and abilities
to learn new platforms and tools.
Deep sensitivity to issues of and
appreciation for confidentiality, discretion and tact.
A strong respect for Northfield Mount
Hermon, a commitment to its mission, and a clear understanding of
and appreciation for schools like NMH .
Commitment to working with a diverse
and inclusive community.

The position is full-time, Monday-Friday; frequent travel and
evening and weekend work are key to success. 

 

Northfield Mount Hermon educates the head, heart, and hands of
our students. We engage their intellect, compassion, and talents,
empowering them to act with humanity and purpose. NMH is committed
to a diverse, innovative, and equitable workplace. We offer an
on-campus daycare as well as free tuition for accepted students at
one of the best high schools in the world. Some of our other
outstanding benefits include free meals during work hours,
state-of-the-art gym with pool, plus spectacular views of the
Connecticut River Valley and Northfield Forest.

 

NMH Human Resources

One Lamplighter Way Mount Hermon, MA 01354

Phone: (413) 498-3229; Fax: (413) 498-3240

Northfield Mount Hermon is an Equal Opportunity Employer