Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter) was co-founded in 1781 by John and Elizabeth Phillips, who believed every student should have access to the very best education — one that embraces the ideals of both goodness and knowledge. Now a coeducational, residential school with more than 1,000 high school students from the United States and 33 foreign countries, Exeter has a centuries-old tradition of academic excellence and a commitment to empowering Exonians to find their place in the world. Exeter is a community that celebrates curiosity and cultivates potential. Diversity and inclusion are critical to sustaining and strengthening the tradition of excellence in all aspects of life at Exeter — academic, programmatic, and organizational.

The Opportunity

Exeter seeks a seasoned, highly collaborative fundraiser as its next Director of Principal and Major Gifts. Reporting to the Director of Institutional Advancement, the new Director will be responsible for providing strategic direction and the development of an annual operating plan for the achievement of principal and major giving goals. The Director will lead and manage a team of five frontline fundraisers while overseeing direct management of the Planned Giving, Prospect Research, and Principal Stewardship programs and staff. The successful candidate will carry a portfolio of 100–150 of Exeter’s top-tier prospects and donors, as well as support the fundraising efforts of Exeter’s Principal Bill Rawson ’71, P ’08. With an international student body, the Director will also support the Exeter Asia Council and oversee the management of engagement and solicitation strategies in the region.

The ideal candidate will be an exceptional relationship-builder and senior leader with excellent communication skills who understands and embraces Exeter’s mission, philosophy, and values. They will work to establish a culture of teamwork, trust, collegiality, and accountability within the Advancement team.