Campaign Officer

Position Summary

The Campaign Officer is a contractual member of The Williams School’s development team, responsible for assisting in the execution and success of the School’s $15M+ comprehensive campaign (capital, endowment, and annual fund) and related fundraising efforts. This role blends strategic leadership with operational management, providing both the vision and hands-on support needed to meet campaign goals and advance the School’s philanthropic priorities. The Campaign Officer reports to the Head of School, working in partnership with the Director of Development and Alumni Engagement (DODAE). This person is responsible for working closely with campaign leadership, the Board of Trustees, volunteers, and the broader school community.

This campaign aims to increase and develop our indoor and outdoor teaching and learning, athletics, arts, and wellness spaces on both the Connecticut College and Bloomingdale Road campuses – providing one modernized world class school on two CT shoreline campuses. The Campaign Officer will play a pivotal role in advancing this bold vision. Continuous growth of our enrollment and distinctive programs will positively impact the School and, most importantly, the minds and futures of our students, faculty and staff, alumni, and the greater community.

Key Responsibilities

Campaign Management & Strategy

• Work alongside DODAE to develop and implement a comprehensive campaign plan, including donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and public relations strategies.
• Manage and monitor aspects of campaign planning and execution, including timelines, goals, donor strategies, volunteer engagement, and milestone tracking.
• Collaborate with consultants and staff to ensure best practices in campaign execution.

Donor Relations & Annual Fund Program

• Assist with the identification, research, evaluation, and solicitation of prospective major donors for the Campaign and Annual Fund Program
• Help prepare customized proposals, reports, and communications for major donors, foundations, and corporate prospects.
• Partner with campaign leadership and volunteers to support top-tier solicitations.
• Create and implement a donor recognition and stewardship plan.

Volunteer Engagement & Committee Management

• Manage activities of the Campaign Steering Committee and related volunteer groups.
• Coordinate campaign-related meetings, prepare meeting materials, track follow-up actions, and support volunteer needs.

Operations & Communications

• Establish and maintain systems for tracking, acknowledging, and reporting Campaign and Annual Fund contributions.
• Organize fundraising documents, and maintain a clean and updated prospect database.
• Draft and distribute campaign-related correspondence, reports, and updates.
• Support campaign-related events, including planning, invitation management, logistics, day-of execution, and follow-up.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in capital, comprehensive, or endowment campaign management, preferably in an educational setting. Minimum 5 years required.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to create compelling donor materials and reports.
• Ability to work both strategically and operationally—leading planning while also executing key tasks.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and motivate volunteers and donors.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to philanthropy and a willingness to make a personal gift in alignment with one's capacity, while upholding the highest standards of donor privacy and confidentiality.

Commitment & Culture

This position will have required occasional evening and weekend events, as well as some travel. The ideal candidate is enthusiastic, mission-aligned, and committed to fostering a culture of philanthropy within the Williams community.

Contract Term: 12 Month Contract Position with the possibility for renewal based on campaign progress and funding.

Desired Start Date: ASAP.

Founded in 1891 by Harriet Peck Williams in memory of her son, The Williams School has a long and proud tradition of academic excellence, character development, and community engagement. Originally established as the Williams Memorial Institute, the school has evolved over more than 130 years into a vibrant, co-educational, college-preparatory day school located on the campus of Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut for grades 6-12. Enrollment is 200. The average class size is 12.

The Williams School does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.