Careers

Reports To: Director of Development

Description last revised: 6/7/21

GENERAL SUMMARY
The Director of Parent Giving, reporting directly to the Director of Development, will oversee all aspects of parent giving at Thayer Academy. They will work with parent volunteers to build parent engagement, raise Annual Fund support as well as capital and restricted money from current parents, past parents as well as grandparents. The Director will oversee both the Senior and Middle School Legacy programs as well as coordinate volunteers for parent giving initiatives for each class. Working closely with the Director of Development and the Campaign Director, the Director of Parent Giving will ensure that we are maximizing parent giving and will identify, cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of individuals capable of making gifts of $5,000 and above to support the mission of Thayer Academy. This person will create strategies for existing supporters, as well as new prospects to move them along the continuum of giving to achieve annual financial goals.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The Director of Parent Giving will develop strategies to best engage current parents, former parents and grandparents to maximize giving potential from each of these major constituencies.
• Working closely with parent volunteers, manages class-giving program for each class of parents with students currently enrolled at Thayer, with a goal of building stronger participation (82%) and higher Annual Fund giving ($1.2M) in FY22. from parents.
• Develop a portfolio of prospects with a goal of carrying 150 prospects annually.
• Cultivate, solicit and steward prospects for General’s Council level Annual Fund gifts of $1,877 and above and Campaign gifts of $10,000 and above. With a goal of closing $500,000 in gifts for FY22.
• Partnering with the Major Gifts Officer, will plan and execute Thayer’s Annual Founders Day: A Day of Giving – our annual community wide giving day.
• Strategize with faculty, senior leadership and fellow development staff on the appropriate engagement of prospects.
• Participate in TAPA meetings, as well as Campaign Steering Committee meetings.
• Strategize ways to engage key prospects, particularly those with the capacity to make gifts of $10,000 or more.
• Plan and participate in cultivation and stewardship events, including possible travel events and General’s Council events.
• Launch a grandparent giving program with engagement strategies including a revamping of our annual Grandparents Day as well as potential events in Florida and Cape Cod.
• Steward donor relationships so that donors feel highly appreciated by Thayer Academy.
• Prioritize work to have primary focus on face-to-face meetings and solicitations with current and prospective donors.
• Research new parents each year to identify potential donors.
• Coordinate with development staff to develop best strategies for growing the pipeline of major gift prospects.
• Identify organizational needs, innovations and other funding opportunities that would appeal to appropriate donors.
• Responsible for data integrity in Raiser’s Edge donor files including updating all personal information, keeping actions and proposals up to date and ensuring all notable information is recorded.
• Work with the gift processing team to ensure integrity of donor files, records, tracking, pledge reminders and communication.
• Attend and assist with all Development Special Events (occasionally on weekends or evenings).

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• 3-5 years of a proven track record in major gifts fundraising relationship building for a non-profit.
• Proven ability to identify, cultivate and solicit major gifts ($10,000 and above).
• Work earnestly in a team environment, and possess the ability to give and receive feedback.
• Demonstrated ability to use good judgment to handle confidential information sensitively.
• Natural ability to establish rapport with donors and the parent/grandparent community.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Working knowledge of The Raiser’s Edge software, Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, preferred.

SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Superb written and oral communication skills are essential.
• The ability to communicate to diverse constituencies in an effective and compelling manner.
• The ability to build successful professional relationships with faculty and staff.
• Mature professional judgment.
• Analytical thinking capacity.
• Ability to work independently in a self-directed manner and in collaboration with others.
• Superior follow-through and ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong organizational capabilities.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• Unflinching integrity seasoned with humor, perspective and curiosity.

The above is intended to describe the general contents and requirements of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive statement of all duties, responsibilities or skills of personnel so classified.

To Apply: Please send your cover letter, resume, and three references with phone and email contact information to Melissa Forger, Director of Development, at mforger@thayer.org.

Reports To: Director of Development

Description last revised: 6/7/21

GENERAL SUMMARY
The Director of Special Events and Parent Programming, reporting directly to the Director of Development, is responsible for the planning, strategic execution and management of a wide-ranging calendar of special events and parent programming. Developing a comprehensive calendar of events that will best enhance the overall mission and strategic goals of Thayer, this professional will oversee the execution of all aspects of each event – strategy, scheduling, planning, fundraising (if necessary), working with vendors and internal departments, follow up, etc. Additionally, they will also work closely with the Thayer Academy Parents Association (TAPA) to provide management and support to their efforts to enhance the Thayer experience for parents as well as students.

The Director will provide strategic direction and long-range/short-range planning for all of these areas in the context of enhancing both alumni and parent participation in events, fundraising and creating an overall more cohesive community, while simultaneously supporting the greater development and campaign goals of Thayer Academy.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide oversight to a complete calendar of special events including, but not limited to an auction, Golf Tournament, Reunion, General’s Council Dinner, Homecoming, Valicenti Cup, Last Hurrah, etc.
• Responsible for providing oversight to all aspects of our Development events including closing sponsorships, auction/raffle donations, tickets sales, guest lists, invitations, décor, speaking program, vendors, volunteers, etc.
• Work collaboratively with the Executive Team of TAPA to coordinate meetings, budget and events.
• Collaborate with Thayer’s Headmaster, Upper School and Middle School Directors, Director of Development and Development team to build strong connectivity and community amongst our parent population.
• Produce and review detailed analytics from Raiser’s Edge to inform decisions and develop best practices for Thayer’s overall events and parent programming strategies to maximize fundraising potential as well as build more inclusive community building opportunities through events and parent programming.
• Steward donor relationships through the strategic use of events so that donors feel highly appreciated by Thayer Academy.
• Attend and assist with all Development Special Events (occasionally on weekends or evenings).

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• 3-5 years of development events experience with a successful track record in closing event sponsorships and planning successful development events.
• Strong managerial and leadership skills necessary, especially where it applies to volunteer management.
• Ability to manage and stay within a budget, make critical decisions about expense priorities and work with community members and vendors to figure out opportunities for in-kind donations.
• Demonstrated analytical and fundraising skills with the ability to recognize opportunities identify critical, high pay-off activities and prioritize them to attain goals.
• Ability to use good judgment to handle confidential information sensitively required.
• Natural ability to establish rapport with donors and volunteers required.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of The Raiser’s Edge software and Microsoft Office Suite preferred.

SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Superb written and oral communication skills are essential.
• The ability to communicate to diverse constituencies in an effective and compelling manner.
• The ability to build successful professional relationships with faculty and staff.
• Mature professional judgment.
• Analytical thinking capacity.
• Ability to work independently in a self-directed manner and in collaboration with others.
• Superior follow-through and ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong organizational capabilities.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• Unflinching integrity seasoned with humor, perspective and curiosity.

The above is intended to describe the general contents and requirements of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive statement of all duties, responsibilities or skills of personnel so classified.

To Apply: Please send your cover letter, resume, and three references with phone and email contact information to Melissa Forger, Director of Development, at mforger@thayer.org.

Reporting to: Head of School

The School
Thayer Academy is a coeducational day school for grades 5-12, located in Braintree, Massachusetts, just south of Boston. Founded in 1877, Thayer seeks students from all backgrounds and offers an environment in which each student is affirmed, supported, and challenged to take on responsibilities, pursue ambitions, and strive for achievements. The school’s program combines rich tradition with 21st- century innovation. Here, students form lifelong relationships with one another and with inspiring teachers who care deeply about their personal growth and academic success.

Job Summary
The Executive Assistant to the Head of School provides high-level administrative support organizing, scheduling, coordinating, researching, and compiling information for the Head of School. The position requires a high level of professionalism, diplomacy, patience, and confidentiality, as well as the ability to handle multiple tasks at once with flexibility and agility. This person needs to consistently communicate effectively and clearly, both orally and in writing, with all constituencies, and needs to be able to
effectively collaborate with colleagues across all areas of the school. The Executive Assistant to the Head of School needs to be a trusted partner to the head, maintaining confidentiality around highly sensitive information and always exhibiting the highest levels of integrity.

Essential Duties

• Understand and anticipate the Head of School’s needs regarding preparation for and scheduling of all activities and meetings.
• Organize and maintain the Head of School’s calendar. Set up meetings for the Head of School with various constituencies: students, parents/guardians, administrators, faculty, trustees, alumni/ae, and other educational professionals.
• Prepare reports, mailings, internal documents, and correspondence. Maintain digital files of all correspondence from the Head’s office.
• Support logistical arrangements and orchestration of all meetings and travel both domestically and internationally.
• Coordinate agendas and collaborate with other school offices for a range of events during the school year, including opening of school, all-school meetings, and Commencement.
• Act as liaison to the Board of Trustees. Oversee and coordinate materials, logistics, and support for all meetings, activities, and initiatives for the Board, including coordination of Trustee board and committee meetings. Take and record minutes at Board meeting general sessions.
• Work with the Head of School and Business Office to manage the annual faculty and staff appointment letter process.
• Work closely with the Director of Food Services on menu selection for meetings and other events.
• Communicate and work closely with faculty, administrators, the Thayer Academy Parent Association, and members of all staff departments.
• Provide administrative support to select committees at the direction of the Head of School.

Qualifications and Preferred Competencies
Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent is required, with at least five years of administrative support experience, preferably with some experience in an executive office. In addition, the Executive Assistant to the Head of School will demonstrate proficiency in the following competencies:

• Exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills
• Ability to make independent decisions, work under pressure, multitask, and see assignments through completion
• Comfortable working with a wide range of constituencies
• Commitment to working in and fostering an inclusive community
• High attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including editing, proofreading, and presentation development
• Executive calendar management
• Meeting and event management experience
• Discretion working with confidential and sensitive information
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries with regard to the handling of privileged information
• Commitment to contributing positively to the overall morale of those within the school and to being a welcoming presence for many campus visitors
• Ability to work an occasional evening, weekend, or early morning
• Advanced computer skills, including experience with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Suite – Google Calendar, Google Docs and Google Sheets, and working knowledge of databases.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Ability to lift/move 10 lbs. and occasionally lift/move 30 lbs.
• Specific vision abilities including close vision.
• Regularly required to stand: walk: sit and reach with hands and arms.

Work Hours

This is a full-time, 40 hours per week position. The Academy hours of operation are typically M-F, 8am- 5pm. Some occasional evening or weekends may be required.

To Apply
Please send your Cover Letter, Resume, and 3 References with phone and email contact information to Head of School Search @ HR@thayer.org