Description

Position Summary 

The Leadership Gift Officer is responsible for managing relationships and securing support from donors who are capable of making gifts of $25,000 or more to Charlotte Latin. The Officer will manage a personal portfolio of 100-125 prospects within the broader fundraising strategy established by the Advancement leadership team. The Officer is expected to identify, research, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospects for annual giving, capital campaigns, and standalone capital projects.

Responsibilities

• Manage an active portfolio of major gift and leadership-level prospects through all stages of the Moves Management process.
• Identify, research, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective donors to advance institutional fundraising priorities and achieve individual portfolio and overall campaign goals.
• Build and sustain meaningful relationships with prospects and donors through strategic engagement, leading to the successful solicitation and closure of major and leadership gifts.
• Develop and execute individualized solicitation strategies aligned with institutional fundraising priorities and plans, including determining appropriate gift purpose and level, identifying cultivation and solicitation partners, and ensuring timely and effective follow-through.
• Collaborate with Advancement colleagues on solicitation strategies for key prospects and participate in internal planning and portfolio review efforts.
• Travel nationally to meet with alumni, parents, and other major donor constituents.
• Serve on Campaign Steering Committees and contribute to campaign planning, execution, and progress reporting.
• Prepare and maintain comprehensive reports, briefing materials, proposals, correspondence, and related documentation to support donor engagement and solicitations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with established performance metrics.
• Partner with the Director of Stewardship to implement donor-specific plans within the broader stewardship framework, ensuring thoughtful recognition, engagement, and stewardship of major and special gift donors.
• Collaborate with the Director of Marketing & Communications to inform and support the development of compelling messaging, marketing initiatives, and events related to capital campaigns and special gift efforts.
• Support and coordinate special projects and initiatives of the Office of Advancement as assigned and in support of broader campaign success.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of school programs, faculty priorities, and student initiatives to effectively align donor interests with institutional needs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Skills 

• Demonstrated commitment to Charlotte Latin’s mission, values, and educational excellence.
• Strong interest in relationship-based fundraising, with a demonstrated ability to build authentic, trust-based relationships within an established community and engage meaningfully with varied constituencies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a strong understanding of capital and endowment fundraising principles.
• Proven ability to understand donor motivations and effectively articulate the Charlotte Latin case for support to secure gifts and pledges of $25,000 or more.
• Goal-driven, results-oriented, and strategic thinker with a high degree of integrity and initiative.
• Demonstrated coachability, openness to feedback, and ability to work effectively within a structured, team-based fundraising strategy.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, sophisticated fundraising environment while managing complexity and change.
• Exceptional organizational, listening, and analytical skills, with a demonstrated ability to set and achieve ambitious goals.
• Strong time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize effectively, meet deadlines, and work both independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to manage multiple, shifting priorities with professionalism and focus.
• Demonstrated commitment to confidentiality, discretion, and ethical fundraising practices.
• Willingness and ability to work outside regular business hours, including evenings and weekends, and to travel nationally several times per year.

Education and Experience 

• Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of professional experience in direct fundraising.
• Demonstrated success applying best practices in fundraising, with a focus on direct solicitation of major and capital gifts.
• Proficiency in Google suites products, demonstrated experience with fundraising databases - Raiser’s Edge preferred.