About The Thacher School 

The Thacher School is one of the most selective and highly regarded boarding schools in the nation. Founded in 1889 by Sherman Day Thacher, the School serves academically talented students from over 20 states and close to 10 countries in a rigorous college preparatory experience. More than 54% of students identify as people of color. The faculty and students live and work closely together on a 427-acre campus nestled in the foothills of the Los Padres National Forest in Ojai, California (85 miles north of Los Angeles). Honor, fairness, kindness, and truth are the cornerstones of School life. Together, the School community commits to the belief that demands in the academic classroom, when combined with those of mountains and horses, of sports and the arts, produce independent minds, strong bodies, and powerful character. The School enrolls 250 students, has an operating budget of $25 million, and an endowment of $180 million. 

The Thacher School is dedicated to providing equal opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran’s status, or any other factor that is a prohibited consideration under applicable law.

Job Description 

Thacher seeks an experienced development professional who is familiar with campaign and prospect management. This position will occupy a key role on the Lead Gifts Team and be critical to the success of the School’s fundraising efforts. 

Summary of Responsibilities 

Prospect Moves Management and Reporting 

• Proactively manage and assign all prospect manager assignments
• Track and monitor all capital campaign solicitation activity including meeting regularly with fundraisers, managing Lead Gift Team meetings and tracking the activity of donor pipelines. 
• Partner with Director of Stewardship to ensure collaboration between teams with shared donors 
• Ensure collaboration with Annual Fund team especially regarding donors assigned to Lead Gifts Team members

• Works with director of development operations to run any and all campaign reports including prospect pipelines 

Volunteer Management, Stewardship and Cultivation 

• Support the work of the Capital Campaign Steering Committee 
• Create campaign briefings for head of school and board chair

• Support the stewardship director with a communication plan for major donors and maintain an updated list of naming opportunities and materials. 
• Executes small campaign related events (aka dialogue dinners, cultivation events). 
• Customizes campaign materials keeps them updated and organized in a place where relationship managers have access. 

• Prepares package of materials, to include proposals, as needed for donor meetings. Needs are identified by the director of advancement, campaign director, relationship managers, and volunteer solicitors. 

Professional Qualities of Thacher Faculty & Staff

• Contribute to the delivery of the mission, vision, and values of the school community.
• Build, foster and participate in an inclusive school community.
• Model lifelong learning, flexibility and a growth mindset.
• Maintain a commitment to professional development.
• Maintain high standards of professionalism with students and colleagues.
• Manage time effectively and meet deadlines and commitments.
• Value collaboration with colleagues and active participation in a community of students
• and adults.
• Embrace and actively participate in signature Thacher programs, including the
• backcountry program.
• Exhibit flexibility and adaptability to change as needed.

Education & Experience

A bachelor’s degree (B.A.) or equivalent years of experience is required. Ideal candidates will have multiple years of experience in Development and have a familiarity with moves management and capital campaigns. Experience with Raiser’s Edge or a similar platform is required including the ability to enter and retrieve data, generate reports, and track progress. 

To be successful in this role, an individual must collaborate very well with others including “managing up” to fundraisers and other leadership. A criminal background check must be successfully completed before employment can begin.

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. As prescribed by law, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

About The Thacher School

The Thacher School is one of the most selective and highly regarded boarding schools in the nation. Founded in 1889 by Sherman Day Thacher, the School serves academically talented students from over 20 states and close to 10 countries in a rigorous college preparatory experience. More than 54% of students identify as people of color. The faculty and students live and work closely together on a 427-acre campus nestled in the foothills of the Los Padres National Forest in Ojai, California (85 miles north of Los Angeles). Honor, fairness, kindness, and truth are the cornerstones of School life. Together, the School community commits to the belief that demands in the academic classroom, when combined with those of mountains and horses, of sports and the arts, produce independent minds, strong bodies, and powerful character. The School enrolls 250 students, has an operating budget of $25 million, and an endowment of $180 million. The Thacher School is dedicated to providing equal opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran’s status, or any other factor that is a prohibited consideration under applicable law.

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