The Hotchkiss School, one of the country’s great boarding schools, is an independent school located in Lakeville, CT. Founded in 1891, the school provides an education of distinction in every way to 600 students, of whom 16% are international, 36% are U.S. students of color, and 33% receive financial aid, in grades 9 through 12 and to a small number of postgraduates. Students come to Hotchkiss from 6 continents, 35 countries, and 32 states, and graduates attend many of the most selective universities and colleges. Hotchkiss is guided by the School’s mission, values, and priorities, which were recently updated and appear here: https://www.hotchkiss.org/our-school/mission-statement
The Opportunity
The Hotchkiss School is seeking a highly knowledgeable and experienced gift planning professional. This opportunity is ideal for a current head of a gift planning program or a knowledgeable second-in-command ready to lead a program. Given The Hotchkiss School’s long history of alumni philanthropic support, the director of gift planning will have the opportunity to build a best-in-class gift planning program.
The director will make data-driven decisions and bring intelligence, ambition, warmth, and a deep understanding of deferred giving to the role. Reporting to the Executive Director of Leadership Giving, the director will be a player/coach and will oversee a portfolio of current and prospective deferred gift donors, serve as the in-house expert on gift planning vehicles and the many benefits of deferred gifts, and lead a comprehensive marketing and gift planning outreach program. Finally, the director will be an outstanding colleague working closely with development colleagues, school leaders, faculty, administrators, and volunteers to identify prospective donors, cultivate relationships, solicit gifts, and provide thoughtful cultivation and stewardship in support of the School’s highest goals and priorities.
The Hotchkiss School is currently planning a historic fundraising campaign (their first in more than 25 years), and the Director of Gift Planning will play an important role in the campaign’s launch, implementation, and success.