Polytechnic School

Donor Relations Officer

Full-time Exempt (Salaried)

Polytechnic School seeks a Donor Relations Officer who will develop creative, meaningful, and strategic stewardship opportunities for Poly’s supporters in partnership with Poly faculty and staff, especially as the school prepares to launch a forthcoming capital campaign. The Donor Relations Officer is an integral member of the Advancement team, reports to the Director of Individual Giving, and is central to the school’s ability to appropriately express gratitude to the many generous donors who support it each year.

Major Responsibilities:

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  Develop and execute a comprehensive and dynamic stewardship plan in collaboration with Advancement team members that focuses on and recognizes all of our donors.

• Ensure the timely completion of acknowledgement letters; thank you calls and handwritten notes; donor recognition events; recognition levels and benefits associated with the Poly Fund; occasional gifts; and special opportunities.

• Manage the endowment and current-use fund reporting process to ensure that donors receive accurate and timely reports each year. This includes working with multiple stakeholders across the school (including Finance, Communications, faculty, and administrators) as well as developing written content for the reports and collaborating with a designer.

• Conceive of and produce the annual Report of Giving publication, print and virtual, with the support of Communications and Advancement colleagues, ensuring its timely delivery to the Poly community.

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  Collaborate with major gift officers to develop customized stewardship plans that fit within other stewardship opportunities for donors who give major and principal gifts for special projects and initiatives.

• Participate in ongoing strategy conversations with Advancement team members, focused around how best to demonstrate need, impact and gratitude to Poly prospects and donors.

• Manage a small portfolio of loyal donors and correspond with them throughout the year in accordance with moves management.

• Develop a written guide that articulates capital project naming opportunities (both endowment and building) including square footage, publicity, fabrication materials and dimensions, as well as an inventory of currently named spaces and funds. Manage fabrication with vendors when necessary and plan corresponding donor recognition events in collaboration with the Director of Events.

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  Write compelling letters, reports, talking points and other material to effectively tell meaningful stories which pertain to Polytechnic students, alumni, faculty and funding opportunities.

• Participate in the creation of campaign materials as they relate to statements of intent, case statements, proposals, gift announcements and other collateral.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelors Degree with at least three years experience working in a fundraising office within an independent school and/or higher education setting.

• Basic understanding of nonprofit support and structure. Experience working in donor stewardship preferred.

• Demonstrated proficiency and success writing in various formats and for a variety of audiences, including letters (business and personal), proposals and reports, interviews, and articles. Writing samples will be requested as part of the interview process.

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  Dedication to upholding Poly’s mission and vision as defined by leadership, with a commitment to diversity, discretion, honesty, and collaboration, as well as a willingness to contribute to and uphold a positive team culture.

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  Eagerness to collaborate with colleagues in a fast-paced, community-facing office as well as excellent interpersonal skills. A desire to communicate effectively and respectfully with internal and external constituents is key.

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  Strong organizational skills with a high degree of attention to detail and deadlines.

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  Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Suite and a willingness to become proficient in new programs, systems, and platforms. Experience with Blackbaud/Raisers Edge and/or design programs a plus.

• This position is part of the Poly community and as such requires on campus attendance during the school day, with occasional work from home flexibility. Periodic evening and weekend hours may be requested.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

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  Works in an environment dealing with a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and a diverse array of individuals;
• May work at a desk and computer for extended periods of time;
• Be able to occasionally lift up to 30 pounds;
• Work primarily in a traditional, climate-controlled environment;
• Work intermittently in outside weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold.

Salary:

Polytechnic School is committed to attracting and retaining talented, dedicated employees through a competitive compensation plan that is commensurate with experience.

Benefits:

A full benefits package includes medical, dental and vision coverage, and a retirement plan.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, Poly will recruit, hire, train, and promote faculty and staff without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, genetic information, sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality), national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member status, marital status, pregnancy, age, medical condition and physical or mental disability (whether perceived or actual), or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. School policy also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.

An independent, coeducational college-preparatory school in Pasadena, Calif., Polytechnic School offers a broad curriculum in the liberal arts for students in kindergarten through grade 12. Founded in 1907, the school enrolls approximately 860 students from diverse ethnic, racial, religious, and economic backgrounds. The mission of Polytechnic School is to develop the intellect, talents, and character of each student in a community of learning dedicated to principles of academic excellence that values the uniqueness and dignity of each member and fosters personal responsibility and service to others. We are committed to honesty, justice, charity, and the pursuit of knowledge. We respect the dignity and worth of all human beings — their thoughts, their feelings, and their individuality. We seek to celebrate the joy, the love, and the creativity that emanate from the human spirit. We strive to be responsible and contributing members of our families, our school community, and the world. The Poly community appreciates the cultural, ethnic, and economic diversity present in the Pasadena area and strives to reflect it. Members of the Poly community appreciate and learn from individual differences, foster the ability to disagree with civility, and embody courtesy and compassion.