Description

Associate Director of Advancement, Major Gifts

Who You Are

The Episcopal Academy seeks a strategic, disciplined, and inspiring Associate Director of Advancement, Major Gifts to advance the impact of the school's major gifts program. As both a "player" and a "coach," you will manage a personal portfolio of high-capacity prospects while leading a team of three seasoned, motivated major gift officers. By orchestrating strategy across portfolios, strengthening the pipeline, and elevating donor engagement, you will ensure that cultivating and soliciting major gifts is an evergreen strength of the institution, not limited to campaigns, but embedded in The Episcopal Academy's culture. 

Episcopal is entering a period of significant philanthropic opportunity. This role shapes early campaign momentum, ensuring the major gifts program is disciplined, data-driven, and poised to achieve ambitious goals. You will leverage insights, strengthen pathways that move donors from first gifts to transformative commitments, and elevate team performance to expand the school's philanthropic capacity and accelerate progress toward its most ambitious objectives. This role blends frontline fundraising with strategic team leadership.

What You Will Do

• Manage a portfolio of 50-75 high-capacity prospects and secure major and principal-level commitments
• Lead, coach, and mentor three motivated major gift officers, providing strategic guidance, performance management, and professional development to ensure coordinated, high-impact fundraising
• Develop coordinated donor strategies across portfolios and create compelling proposals and giving opportunities
• Strengthen a renewable major gifts pipeline in partnership with annual giving and data analytics teams
• Use analytics, research, and disciplined moves management to guide decisions, forecast progress, and measure impact
• Ensure a culture of meaningful engagement, recognition, and stewardship
• Partner with senior leaders on high-level donor strategy and opportunities for significant investment

About You

You are a bold, relational fundraising leader who thrives at the intersection of strategy and execution. You bring a strong record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts and know how to inspire a team toward ambitious goals. You are energized by building relationships. You excel at donor engagement, communicate with clarity and purpose, and thrive in a mission-driven environment that values collaboration, innovation, and thoughtful urgency. You will excel in this role if you:

• Have a proven record of cultivating, soliciting, and closing six- and seven-figure major gifts
• Build and sustain a renewable pipeline of prospects in partnership with internal teams
• Excel at donor engagement, stewardship, and showcasing impact
• Balance coaching and motivating a team while independently managing a high-level portfolio
• Communicate clearly, warmly, and persuasively in writing, strategy sessions, and donor interactions
• Thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment that values collaboration, innovation, and growth

This position is based on our Newtown Square, PA campus and requires on-site work, regional travel to meet donors and prospects, and occasional evening or weekend events. A bachelor's degree and at least five years of experience in advancement work or related industry are required. Please include a cover letter with your application.

About the Office of Institutional Advancement

The thirteen-person Advancement team at The Episcopal Academy is a collaborative, mission-driven group that fosters a culture of philanthropy grounded in gratitude, stewardship, and authentic relationships. Our efforts directly support students, faculty, and programs that shape the Episcopal experience-from financial aid and faculty development to athletics and the arts. Recent milestones that highlight both the generosity of our community and the strength of our Advancement program include:

• Completion of a $123 million comprehensive campaign, including $75 million for endowment.
• $2.77 million raised for the Episcopal Fund in FY25 from over 1,800 donors.
• More than $6 million raised through EITC/OSTC in FY25 to support financial aid.
• Endowment surpassing $160 million, securing long-term sustainability.

About The Episcopal Academy

Located 16 miles outside of Philadelphia, The Episcopal Academy offers competitive salary and benefits; employer retirement plan match; generous paid time off; excellent work/life balance; access to ongoing professional development; complimentary lunch during the school year; and use of campus facilities, including library and fitness center.

While each employee at Episcopal brings a unique set of competencies and skills to their work, we believe all employees should:

• Be student-centered, embrace school life, and show it through actions and interactions with students, colleagues, and parents.
• Embody and live The Stripes.
• Consistently maintain high work standards and motivate others to achieve the same standard of excellence.
• Demonstrate a desire and willingness to constantly grow and learn, both personally and professionally, and see others, especially students, as having the ability to learn and reach success.
• Demonstrate a belief in and commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse school community.
• Foster a positive culture by being optimistic, selfless, flexible, and collaborative.

Position start date: Immediate.

Application deadline: Until filled.

The Episcopal Academy does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability and familial affiliation or any other characteristic protected by law. We seek candidates who hope to help foster a school environment where all people are valued and where all perspectives are respected and appreciated.