Development Officer - Major Gifts
Position Title: Development Officer – Major Gifts
THE RIDLEY DIFFERENCE
Founded in 1889, Ridley College is a co-educational boarding and day school with over 750 students in JK to grade 12 from more than 55 countries worldwide. The Ridley experience integrates a traditional liberal arts education with individual learning enhanced by the principles of positive psychology, the International Baccalaureate continuum program, a learner-driven culture and campus community, exceptional athletics and dynamic arts programs, and a commitment of service to others. This unique combination prepares meaningful and flourishing lives by teaching the habits of mind, body and spirit, and the values needed to lead in a global society.
Ridley College is located on 90 acres in St. Catharine’s, Ontario in the heart of the Niagara Peninsula and is comprised of a stunning blend of century old buildings housing modernized technology.
OUR TEAM
Ridley offers the prospect of being part of a high-performance team in a nourishing workplace community that encourages collaboration, innovation, inclusivity and curious minds, and where grit and perseverance are assets. We strive to create a culture of belonging on campus based on trust, collaboration and cooperation, and to promote and deepen these shared values in all we do, with all members of our extended community.
Joining the team at Ridley means you are committed to life-long learning and development, have integrity, and value being of service in a richly diverse community. We cultivate the full potential in each of our students by having a caring, committed and world-class team. Attracting, developing and retaining people who thrive in Ridley’s positive education culture that recognizes and celebrates individual strengths is critical to our success.
OVERVIEW
A key position within the development department, the Development Officer will work to develop opportunities to increase fundraising revenue. Reporting to the Director of Development, the Development Officer will identify and manage a defined portfolio of prospects and donors. Specifically, this position will be responsible for managing a portfolio of major donors and will work alongside the Director of Development and Headmaster to manage relationships with Ridley's top philanthropic supporters.
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
· Manage a portfolio of major giving prospects and donors, providing strategic and tactical direction to the definition and successful pursuit of projected gift targets in the $10,000+ range. Assume responsibility for identifying, cultivating, stewarding, and soliciting support from them, both individually and/or in collaboration with senior faculty and volunteers.
· Identify new prospective donors through consistent outreach and discovery calls.
· Develop and maintain a good working knowledge of Ridley’s activities, priorities and needs to support the mission and vision.
· Nurture and develop sustainable long-term relationships with alumni, parents, key stakeholders, and other members of the Ridley community.
· Analyze data and prepare written materials including tailored proposals, correspondence, briefing notes, progress reports, and planning documents as appropriate.
· Design and implement stewardship programs for various donor levels
· Work in conjunction with the college’s leadership team and Development Team to build and enhance a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization
· Develop donor strategies individually and in collaboration with fundraising colleagues.
· Support alumni engagement initiatives, including donor relations events and assisting with managing committees within the alumni association.
· Record, maintain and report on information about prospects and donors in Raiser’s Edge NXT.
· Other duties as assigned.
· University Degree and a minimum of five years of experience in fundraising/revenue generation leadership role with a proven track record of success raising major gifts
· Experience in Independent School or not-for-profit educational fundraising is considered an asset
· Understanding of the charitable landscape including CRA regulations
· Exceptional computer skills – proficiency using Raiser’s Edge and Microsoft Office programs
· Strong organizational, analytical and relationship building skills
· Evidence of leadership and initiative, tact, diplomacy, attention to detail and, creativity
· Detail-oriented with ability to multi-task, organize, prioritize, and meet deadlines
· Self-motivated, high energy, results oriented and the drive to exceed expectations
· Using project management techniques/principles, plans and manage multiple concurrent projects with conflicting deadlines, effectively using resources to achieve deliverables and manage competing priorities.
· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to build strong collaborative relationships with colleagues, donors, alumni, parents, and other stakeholders at all levels of the organization
· Experience working with volunteers
· Proven ability to motivate others, i.e. volunteers, team members, donors
· Strong team player who values collaboration
· Exceptional interpersonal and communication (written and verbal) skills
· Must be flexible to work occasional non-traditional work hours that might include evenings and weekends based on operational needs
· Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a fun, exciting, fast-paced environment
OUR OFFER
Ridley College offers a positive and inclusive workplace community with a competitive compensation package; innovative, challenging and rewarding opportunities; a learning environment that promotes professional development and personal growth; active community involvement; and a beautiful campus setting in the heart of Niagara that engages and inspires our employees to flourish.
Qualified applicants are encouraged to upload their resume in the fields on the right side of this page.
As a condition of employment, a satisfactory Vulnerable Persons Screening Report must be provided. While all applicants are thanked for their interest, only those chosen for interviews will be contacted.
Ridley College is committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible and equitable environment where everyone feels respected, valued and supported. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you are selected to participate in the recruitment process, please inform Human Resources of the nature of any accommodation(s) that you may require in respect of any materials or processes used in order to ensure your equal participation.
“We inspire flourishing lives to transform our globe.”