Advancement Officer

DescriptionReporting to the Director of Development, the Advancement Officer will join the major gifts team with a primary focus on building and strengthening the pipeline of future leadership giving donors across annual, major, and planned giving programs. This role is responsible for identifying, qualifying, and engaging new prospects with the capacity and inclination to support Choate at a leadership level.The Advancement Officer will manage an active portfolio of prospects and is expected to conduct a high volume of visits and outreach, primarily within the tri-state area. This is a metrics-focused, goal-driven role, with clear expectations around activity, pipeline development, and prospect qualification. The position requires regular travel, as well as occasional evening and weekend responsibilities.RequirementsManage and advance a portfolio of 200-300 discovery-stage prospects, with a focus on qualification and pipeline developmentConduct a high volume of in-person visits, virtual meetings, and outreach activities to assess capacity, interest, and readiness for leadership giving engagementProactively identify and qualify new prospects through outreach, research, referrals, and event follow-upDevelop and execute engagement strategies to assess, qualify, and advance prospects through the pipelineCollaborate with the Alumni Engagement team to identify and engage prospective donors, leveraging events, volunteer leadership, and alumni networks to support pipeline developmentPartner closely with Major Gift and Annual Fund teams to evaluate, position, and transition prospects, ensuring alignment with the most appropriate giving strategy and point of engagementPrepare briefing materials, contact reports, and qualification summaries to support prospect strategy and handoffTrack and assess prospect movement through the pipeline, contributing to overall pipeline strategy and developmentMaintain accurate and timely documentation of all prospect interactions and activity within the CRMTravel regularly within the tri-state area for in-person donor visits and small group meetingsStay informed on Choate's priorities, programs, and funding opportunities to effectively represent the institutionWork independently while contributing to a highly collaborative team environmentEDUCATIONBachelor's degree requiredPRIOR EXPERIENCE2-4 years of relevant experience in fundraising, sales, client relationship management, or a related fieldDemonstrated ability to work in a goal-oriented or metrics-driven environmentExperience conducting outreach, building relationships, and moving individuals through a defined engagement or sales processFamiliarity with fundraising or nonprofit environments preferred, but not requiredExperience with CRM systems preferredOTHER KEY COMPETENCIESCommitment to the mission of an inclusive, highly regarded boarding school, with interest in engaging in a close-knit, student-centered communityStrong interest in a career in fundraising, particularly in major gifts and donor engagementProactive and self-motivated, with a willingness to initiate outreach and pursue new opportunitiesExcellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport quickly and effectivelyHighly organized and able to manage a high volume of activity, outreach, and follow-up with attention to detailStrong listening skills and the ability to assess donor interest, readiness, and alignmentCollaborative team player who works effectively with colleagues to support shared goalsAdaptable and resilient, with the ability to navigate frequent travel and a dynamic, externally facing roleProfessional presence and sound judgment in all interactions