Executive Director of The Hotchkiss Fund

Executive Director of The Hotchkiss Fund

The Hotchkiss School has partnered with Lindauer, a global search and talent firm, to conduct this search. To apply, please submit your resume on the Lindauer website.

Opportunity

The Hotchkiss School is a premier independent boarding school located in Lakeville, Connecticut. Founded in 1891, the School provides an education of academic distinction to 600 students in grades 9 through 12, and to a small number of postgraduates. Students at Hotchkiss come from across the United States and around the world, and its graduates attend many of the most selective universities and colleges.

The School seeks a strategic, growth-oriented, and data-driven Executive Director of The Hotchkiss Fund (ED of THF) to join the Alumni & Development team. The Executive Director will oversee a comprehensive $7 million-plus annual giving program that seeks annual operating unrestricted and restricted gifts through The Hotchkiss Fund and targeted initiatives for special projects that are broad-based in nature.

 The ED will work closely with the other teams within the Alumni & Development department: with the Advancement Services team to work on data analyses and segmentation strategies, data exports for solicitations and THF-related communications, the execution of appeals, and metrics as well as management of online tools for volunteers; with the Leadership Gifts, Gift Planning, and Donor Relations teams to collaborate on initiatives and coordinate relationships with donors; and with the Alumni Engagement team to build on engagement opportunities with key stakeholder groups. The ED will also work with the campaign director and Communications Office on THF-related communications, as well as with other program departments.

The ideal candidate for this position will be an ambitious, experienced, and visionary leader and marketer with proven performance in modern annual giving practices, capable of the successful execution of multiple fundraising projects and adept at the management and oversight of a team of three or more professional staff. A mission-driven ambassador and advocate for THF, the successful candidate will bring a highly entrepreneurial and collaborative spirit to drive growth of The Hotchkiss Fund and elevate constituent relations and engagement activities across the School.

Essential Functions

• Develop a strategic plan for The Hotchkiss Fund, which will drive financial and participation growth and develop a robust donor pipeline.
• Cultivate and solicit annual fund gifts, building and sustaining meaningful relationships with donors to meet and exceed goals and targets for The Hotchkiss Fund.
• Establish meaningful KPIs and regularly analyze results to drive strategic adjustments to the annual plan.
• Create a comprehensive annual calendar of segmented campaigns across multiple channels (digital, print, staff, and volunteer outreach) for The Hotchkiss Fund and special projects.
• Oversee and execute targeted micro-campaigns, such as reunion, class gifts, senior parent gifts, and other initiatives that have broad-based participation goals.
• Create systems and structures that enable collaborative success across departmental boundaries.
• Build and nurture a vibrant community of donors, volunteers, and advocates who are actively engaged with The Hotchkiss Fund’s mission and goals.
• Build a strong infrastructure for the volunteer program, which includes an effective volunteer management system, volunteer training, and regular reports to volunteers.
• Provide regular, detailed reports and information to the Chief Advancement Officer, as well as provide reports three times a year to the Development Committee of the Board of Trustees.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the mission and values of Hotchkiss and a donor-centric annual fund program.
• Be able to successfully articulate a compelling case for The Hotchkiss Fund and other strategic priorities.
• Lead cross-functional collaborative efforts to ensure seamless donor experiences across departments.
• Be an active member of the senior team of the Alumni & Development Office, working collaboratively with the Chief Advancement Officer and the Directors of Advancement Services, Alumni Engagement, Campaign, Donor Relations, and Leadership Gifts/Gift Planning to align the work of all A&D teams and guide overall A&D strategy.
• Work closely with members of the Alumni & Development Office to support overall campaign goals and objectives and ensure collaboration for comprehensive campaign solicitations.
• Implement innovative stewardship strategies that demonstrate impact and strengthen donor acquisition and retention.
• Perform other duties as needed and assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and/or a minimum of seven years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising, including successful solicitation of annual gifts.
• A strong and demonstrated annual fund management track record in a comprehensive campaign setting.
• A demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively, make data-driven decisions, be accountable for and drive results, and work well under pressure.
• Experience analyzing, researching, and interpreting financial information to develop meaningful metrics that will drive program growth.
• Demonstrated success in project management, managing and prioritizing multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining quality standards and meeting deadlines.
• Proven leadership, managerial, and supervisory skills; an ability to motivate and inspire direct reports, colleagues, donors, and volunteers; foster teamwork and collaboration; set a positive tone; lead by example; and attract and retain outstanding talent.
• Experience with successfully managing a large volunteer structure.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; experience writing effective appeals, annual fund cases, volunteer manuals, and social media posts.
• A demonstrated ability to articulate strategic priorities in a compelling manner with diverse constituencies.
• Proficiency in G-Suite, Raiser’s Edge or similar fundraising software, Microsoft Office, Constant Contact, Hustle, Give Campus or similar platforms.
• Proven success in identifying and implementing innovative fundraising strategies that adapt to changing donor preferences and behaviors.
• Commitment to staying abreast of industry best practices and technological advancements in annual giving, including AI.
• Experience with relationship-centric fundraising approaches that prioritize authentic connections over transactional interactions.
• Self-motivated, goal-oriented, and possessing a growth mindset and high emotional intelligence.
• Exceptional active listening skills. Capacity to respond with insight, tact, and sensitivity to the hopes and concerns of donors, volunteers, and colleagues.
• Ability and willingness to travel and work flexible hours, when needed, including weekends and evenings.

The role is primarily based in an office environment, with typical responsibilities involving repetitive keyboard work. However, it also requires flexibility, as events may involve extended periods of standing and walking. Additionally, the position entails some travel, requiring adaptability to a variety of settings and schedules.

The essential functions and basic skills have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This position description is subject to change at any time.

The Hotchkiss School is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to basing judgments concerning the employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities. The School is firmly committed to equal employment and advancement opportunities for all employees and applicants in all phases of the employment process (including recruitment, hiring, assignment, terms and conditions of employment, compensation, benefits, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, and termination).

In accordance with applicable law, the School does not discriminate against any individual based on age, ancestry, color, genetic information, learning disability, marital status, past or present history of mental disability, national origin, physical disability, race, religious creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.