Director of Development (Foundation and Corporations)

Columbia College Chicago•Chicago, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Columbia College Chicago is an acclaimed undergraduate and graduate institution that provides a comprehensive education in the arts, communications, and public relations. We constantly aim to reach our full potential as an educational innovator, incubator of new creative practice and generator of real-world success for young creatives. We are in the heart of Chicago, across the street from historic Grant Park, and housed in some of the most iconic buildings in the South Loop. Columbia College Chicago is a private urban institution of approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students, four-year College offering a distinctive curriculum that blends liberal arts, creative and media arts and business is currently searching for a(an) DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT (FOUNDATIONS AND CORPORATIONS). Reporting to the Senior Director of Development (SDOD) within the office of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR), the Director of Development (Foundations and Corporations) (DOD) works closely with the SDOD to support long-term revenue growth for the College. The DOD will focus on managing a major gift portfolio by identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting institutional prospects and donors through customized cultivation and solicitation strategies while simultaneously meeting established fundraising goals and metrics. The DOD must effectively and efficiently manage multiple high-priority initiatives and work independently in a fast-paced environment. The ability to effectively and efficiently self-organize and to make decisions based on the best return on investment will be crucial. This position is based in Chicago, IL and will be expected to be in office Monday through Friday. This role will also require regional and national travel, as well as occasional evening and weekend work.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred
At least 5 years of direct foundation and/or corporate giving experience
Ellucian, Salesforce, Blackbaud, or other CRM-based experience
High degree of professionalism, discretion and confidentiality
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and organization skills
Strong project management skills, with a keen eye for detail and quality
Proactive and thoughtful working style
Commitment to overall team success and the College’s mission

Responsibilities

Meet identified goals and metrics for major gift work, including annual goals for visits, asks, and revenue raised.
Build (identify and qualify) and manage (cultivate, solicit, and steward) a personal portfolio of major gift ($50K+) prospects and donors.
Conduct regular prospect and donor meetings and personalized outreach to deepen relationships and secure increased support.
Identify and recommend opportunities for Director, Decanal, and/or Presidential engagement.
Cultivate and promote prospects for leadership volunteer roles at the college.
Coordinate compelling proposals, reports, and donor communications tailored to donor interests.
Bring a data-driven approach to portfolio management, ensuring accurate donor records, real-time reporting, and clear moves management tracking in the CRM.
Work with the SDOD to ensure effective and efficient management of institutional major gift strategies for the College.
Partner with peer DAR team members to ensure strong stewardship and communication practices, thoughtful event engagement, effective volunteer management, and efficient major gift tracking and reporting.
Work with school and program leadership across the College to understand philanthropic and engagement priorities.
Represent the DAR team through interactions with campus leadership, staff, and other colleagues and strive to create successful working relationships in service of philanthropic and fundraising goals and strategies.
Foster a collaborative, results-driven culture focused on relationship-building and donor-centric strategies.
Serve as a visible ambassador for the College at internal and external events.
Participate in professional development training and maintain peer connections in the field.
Contribute to DAR-based strategic planning discussions, initiatives, and events.
Perform special projects and/or other related duties and responsibilities, as assigned or required.