Director of Development

Director of Development

Thayer Academy seeks an experienced and strategic Director of Development to lead and enhance the school’s fundraising and engagement efforts. Reporting to the Chief Advancement & Engagement Officer, the Director of Development will oversee key areas, including Annual Giving, Special Events, Stewardship, Parent and Alumni Engagement, and Donor Systems. This leadership role is instrumental in continuing to strengthen Thayer’s culture of philanthropy, deepening relationships within the Thayer community, and driving sustained financial support for the Academy’s mission. In addition to working closely with the members of the Advancement & Engagement team, the Director of Development will build strategic partnerships with key faculty, staff, and volunteers to continue to build upon the growth in Thayer’s fundraising efforts. The Director will also lead efforts to optimize the use of data and technology in fundraising operations, helping to build systems and processes that support long-term donor relationships and strategic decision-making.

In addition to the managerial and strategic elements of this role, the Director of Development will manage a modest portfolio of 80 prospects capable of making leadership-level donations, allowing them to not only contribute to the success of the Academy’s fundraising efforts through strategic oversight but also to work directly with donors to see those efforts in action from the front lines.

As we prepare for our next campaign, tied to the newly launched Forever Forward strategic plan, the Director of Development will play a critical leadership role in expanding Thayer’s base of philanthropic support, cultivating a robust pipeline of donors and volunteers, and enhancing the Academy’s fundraising infrastructure.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a talented and hardworking team and a mission-driven community at a time of momentum and growth, as Thayer moves forward with an ambitious strategic plan and prepares to celebrate its 150th anniversary.

Leadership & Annual Giving

• Works closely with the Director of Annual Giving & Parent Relations to build upon the successes of the Annual Giving plan, collaborating on strategies that will increase participation and revenue from all constituencies, including current and past families, alumni, faculty/staff, grandparents, and friends in an effort to build unrestricted Annual Fund giving to the $3M+ level in the next 5 years.
• Collaborates with the Director of Alumni Relations to develop and execute a comprehensive alumni giving strategy to increase participation and revenue, inclusive of Reunion giving.
• Manages a portfolio of 80 prospects capable of making leadership-level gifts to the Forever Forward Campaign.
• Collaborate with the Chief Advancement & Engagement Officer and the Advancement team on major and leadership giving strategies to ensure a strong donor pipeline.
• Partner with the Communications team to create compelling stories, donor appeals, and messages that engage and inspire our community, encouraging increased giving.
• Work with gift officers to develop strategies for encouraging donors to give at higher levels, maintaining a robust, active, and growing donor pipeline year after year.
• Coordinate with the advancement team and senior leadership to align strategies with the Academy’s goals and vision. 

Engagement & Special Events

• Works closely with the Director of Special Events and Parent Programming to ensure we are using parent/guardian, alumni, grandparent, and faculty/staff engagement initiatives to foster meaningful connections through targeted outreach, events, and volunteer opportunities.
• Strategizes with the Alumni Engagement Team on creating an annual alumni event calendar that will create opportunities for building stronger connections to Thayer for our alumni base, including Reunion, Homecoming, regional events, college campus visits, on-campus presentations, and more.

Stewardship & Donor Relations

• Creates and oversees a thoughtful and impactful donor recognition program, including acknowledgments, reports, and personalized touchpoints.
• Develops strategies to strengthen donor retention and deepen engagement.

Data Management & Donor Systems

• Works closely with the Director of Advancement Services to leverage data analytics and donor insights to identify giving trends, inform strategy, and drive increased philanthropic support across all constituencies.
• Implement best practices in donor segmentation, tracking, and analytics to drive fundraising success.
• Review technology resources and platforms regularly with the Donor Systems Team to ensure we have access to the most advanced systems, providing the best possible opportunity for continued fundraising growth.

Collaboration & Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and support a high-performing Development team.
• Work cross-functionally with faculty, staff, and volunteers to promote philanthropy across the Thayer community.

Other Duties 

• Attends and assists with all Development Special Events (occasionally on weekends or evenings)

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent professional experience required
• Seven+ years of non-profit fundraising experience required, experience in an independent school preferred, or higher education preferred
• Strong leadership and team management skills are necessary
• Demonstrated organizational and communication skills, as well as the ability to work with and motivate other development professionals and volunteers
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
• Experience in relationship databases preferred, Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge fundraising database experience is most preferred
• Microsoft Office proficiency with an emphasis in Word, Excel, Google, and competency in mail merges
• Demonstrated ability to use good judgment to handle confidential information sensitively

• Ability to work independently in a self-directed manner and in collaboration with others
• Able to handle multiple projects simultaneously 
• Possesses strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Able to work with and process information in an analytical fashion
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
• Demonstrated ability to use good judgment and to handle confidential information with a high level of sensitivity, ensuring the privacy of donors and prospects
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Exceptional customer service skills
• Mature professional judgment
• Superior follow-through and ability to meet deadlines and goals
• Strong organizational capabilities

• $165,00 - $175,000 annually
• Full-Time
• Exempt Position

• Please click here to complete an application and upload your resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for three to five references, including two present or past direct supervisors.
   
• Equal Opportunity Act: Thayer Academy is an equal opportunity employer. The Academy complies with and adheres to all state and federal anti-discrimination laws with respect to its employment practices. Thayer Academy does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin or ancestry, age, or disability, or any other category protected under state or federal law. This policy extends to recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, assignment, working conditions, promotions, transfers, termination, re-employment, education, tuition assistance, employee treatment, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. All employment-related decisions are made on a nondiscriminatory basis so as to further the principle of equal employment opportunity.

• Americans with Disabilities Act: Thayer Academy complies with all aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws. This means that we will not discriminate against qualified individuals with a disability in any phase of the employment relationship including application for employment, hiring, promotions and/or advancement opportunities, termination, compensation, training, and any other conditions or privileges of employment.