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Job description
Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high‑performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K‑12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!
Job Description
As Director, Major Gifts, you will build and manage a portfolio of high‑capacity donors and prospects, leading the full lifecycle of major gift fundraising, from identifying and cultivating new relationships to securing transformational philanthropic investments and stewarding long‑term partnerships. You will develop individualized engagement strategies, partner closely with school and Home Office leaders, and connect donors to Uncommon Schools’ mission through meaningful opportunities to invest in student success. Your work will play a critical role in expanding philanthropic support and advancing our organizational priorities.
Portfolio Management & Fundraising Strategy
Build and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, with a focus on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding relationships
Design and execute individualized strategies to align donor interests with Uncommon’s priorities
Develop proposals, letters of inquiry, and tailored communications to support fundraising efforts
Donor Engagement & Relationship Building
Lead in‑person and virtual engagement with donors through meetings, school visits, and curated experiences
Translate Uncommon’s impact into clear, compelling narratives that inspire philanthropic investment
Ensure timely, thoughtful stewardship to strengthen long‑term donor relationships
Prospect Identification & Network Expansion
Identify and qualify new prospective donors through research, events, and outreach
Partner with internal stakeholders and leadership to expand access to new donor networks
Contribute to building a strong pipeline of high‑capacity prospects
Pipeline Management & Cross‑Functional Collaboration
Maintain accurate donor records and pipeline data in Salesforce or similar systems
Forecast revenue and track progress toward fundraising goals
Collaborate with development, marketing, and program teams to align messaging and engagement strategies
Qualifications
Required:
Bachelor’s degree
10+ years of professional experience or an equivalent track record building and managing sophisticated major gift portfolios
Demonstrated experience in frontline fundraising, with a focus on major or principal gifts
Proven success managing a portfolio of high‑net‑worth individuals and personally cultivating, soliciting, and closing six‑ and seven‑figure philanthropic gifts
Experience building trusted relationships with senior executives, trustees, philanthropists, or other high‑profile stakeholders
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey mission and impact
Experience developing donor strategies, proposals, and engagement plans
Proficiency with Salesforce or similar CRM systems, including pipeline tracking and revenue forecasting
Preferred:
Familiarity with the New York City philanthropic landscape
Experience collaborating across teams to support fundraising strategy
Strong analytical skills to support planning and decision‑making
Physical Requirements
Minimal physical demands, including extended periods working at a desk
Not sure you meet every qualification? We encourage you to apply—we’re excited to learn what you bring.
Additional Information
Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.
Compensation
The full compensation range for this role is $116,800–$146,000. Typically, new hires who fully meet all qualifications listed in the job description will start at $124,100. Starting compensation below this reflects candidates with less experience or qualifications. Offers near the top end of the range are reserved for candidates who significantly exceed the qualifications, bringing extensive experience and specialized expertise beyond what is listed.
Compensation determinations consider relevant professional experience and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Additionally, because we value internal growth and tenure, current staff members are not subject to salary caps within this range.
Work Environment
Uncommon is an in‑person organization, with a commitment of at least three days each week at our Central Office in downtown Manhattan (100 Church Street).
Benefit Highlights
19 days of paid time off
3 weeks of paid Winter and Summer org‑wide holidays
Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision insurance plans
403(b) retirement savings program + employer match
Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)
Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits
Pre‑tax flexible spending, dependent care, and health saving accounts
A detailed list of all benefits is located HERE.
At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of the communities we serve—with over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.
As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email
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Worksite address
new york, NY, 10261, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.