Director of Development (Individual Donors)

Columbia College Chicago•Chicago, IL

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Columbia College Chicago is seeking a Director of Development (Individual Donors) to join their Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) team. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development (SDOD), this role is crucial for driving long-term revenue growth by managing a major gift portfolio. The Director will focus on identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting individual prospects and donors, employing customized strategies to meet established fundraising goals. This position requires the ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives independently in a fast-paced environment, with a strong emphasis on self-organization and decision-making based on return on investment. The role is based in Chicago, IL, with an expectation of Monday-Friday in-office presence, and will also involve regional and national travel, along with occasional evening and weekend work.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required
At least 5 years of direct individual fundraising experience
Ellucian, Salesforce, Blackbaud, or other CRM-based experience
Strong leadership and supervisory skills, with experience developing team members
High degree of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and organization skills
Strong project and program 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

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred

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, with support from DAR leadership.
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.
Maintain 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 individual 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.