Job Description

New Canaan Country School, a Pre-K through Grade 9 co-ed, independent day school, currently serves 555 students from diverse backgrounds living in 21 different surrounding towns/cities in Connecticut and New York. Our mission is to create an active, joyful learning environment where children are challenged to think deeply, question confidently, and act generously so that they may lead lives of impact and purpose. We believe that childhood is in itself an integral part of life to be lived fully and happily. Our talented and devoted faculty engages our students in developmentally appropriate ways, delivering a challenging curriculum that builds intellectual skills and fosters creative and critical thinking.

Founded in 1916, the School has been a preeminent leader in early childhood, elementary and middle school education for more than 100 years.

New Canaan Country School seeks an enthusiastic and strategic fundraiser to lead our Alumni Affairs and Advancement Events efforts. The Director of Alumni Affairs & Advancement Events will work closely with the Director of Advancement, the Associate Director of Advancement and all members of the Advancement Team to engage key constituents, grow our school-wide culture of philanthropy and raise critical funds for Country School across all fundraising channels, with emphasis on engagement and fundraising strategies for our nearly 4,000 alumni. 

Responsibilities

• Lead comprehensive alumni engagement efforts, including the Alumni Council, Alumni Annual Fund, Alumni Events, Alumni Publications, Alumni Outcomes & Stories, the Alumni Award and other alumni opportunities as they arise. 
• Maintain a portfolio of alumni prospects in support of all NCCS fundraising efforts. Cultivate relationships with these prospects, solicit gifts from them, and steward them in appropriate and meaningful ways while creating a stronger major gifts pipeline within our alumni community. 
• Revitalize the Class Agent and Reunion Giving Programs to enhance alumni engagement and continue to grow alumni giving across all fundraising strategies. 
• Lead strategic engagement efforts with parents of alumni and former faculty and staff audiences, including communications, events, and other opportunities as they arise. 
• Work with the Director of Advancement, the Associate Director of Advancement and the Marketing & Communications team to design, develop, maintain, and refresh Advancement publications and materials, including appeals, invitations, the Bulletin Magazine and other strategic pieces in support of donor cultivation, stewardship and engagement.
• Help support and engage key Advancement volunteer groups, including the Parents’ Association, Alumni Council, Annual Fund Ambassador Team, Biennial Auction Committee and the Advancement Committee. 
• Work closely with members of the Advancement Team and other members of the NCCS community, including our Director of Community Engagement (who manages school events) and other members of the Leadership Team to plan, organize, and execute community-building events, including the Biennial Auction, Alumni Weekend and other alumni gatherings, Grandparents’ & Special Friends’ Day, Campaign events and other strategic fundraising, cultivation and stewardship events throughout the year. 
• Manage Advancement & Alumni Associate, as well as key alumni volunteers and summer interns.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree and significant professional fundraising experience preferred
• Experience managing projects and people toward collective goals
• Proficiency in fundraising databases, Raiser’s Edge (and NXT) preferred
• Experience with all phases of gift execution: cultivation, solicitation, closing of gifts, stewardship
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Ability to easily network and establish rapport with individuals and groups
• Commitment to confidentiality, discretion and customer service mindset
• Comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a fun and fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency, and inclusivity, with the ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds
• This position will require some evening and weekend work, as well as occasional travel

About New Canaan Country School

New Canaan Country School is a co-ed, independent day school for students in Pre-K (ages 3 & 4) through Grade 9 living in Fairfield and Westchester Counties. Located in New Canaan, CT, and serving 570 students, our mission is to guide students to reach their intellectual, creative, moral, and physical potential. A talented and devoted faculty engages our students in developmentally appropriate ways, delivering a challenging curriculum that builds intellectual skills and fosters creative and critical thinking. We lead by example and challenge students to fulfill their potential, find their path, and follow their passions whether in the classroom, on the playing fields, on the stage, or serving the community.

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