Director of Development - Major Gifts

Benedictine University•Lisle, IL

11h•Onsite

About The Position

Benedictine University is an inclusive academic community inspired by the Catholic intellectual tradition and Benedictine values. The Director of Development provides strategic leadership and executes fundraising initiatives, with a primary emphasis on major gifts while contributing to annual giving, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, and campaign priorities. Reporting to the Vice President of University Advancement, the Director manages a portfolio of leadership-level prospects and donors, develops cultivation and solicitation strategies, and works across the University to advance a culture of philanthropy. The role involves engaging donors, volunteers, and institutional leaders in support of the University's mission and priorities. The Director develops strategies for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major and leadership gift prospects, managing approximately 100–150 qualified prospects with a focus on gifts of $25,000 and above. The position also leads a comprehensive planned giving program, promotes legacy giving, and oversees the University's legacy recognition society. It establishes and meets fundraising goals, maintains donor records in Raiser’s Edge, and uses data and analytics to monitor performance and inform strategy. This is a full-time, benefit-eligible position based at the Lisle Campus in a standard office environment. The role includes travel, supervisory responsibility, attendance at departmental and University events, and completion of University-specific and OSHA-related training. Salary is $75,000–$100,000, based on qualifications and experience.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree.
A minimum of 3–5 years of progressive fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in major gift solicitation.
Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and close five- and six-figure gifts.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to engage diverse constituencies.
Experience working with senior leadership and volunteers in a fundraising context.
Familiarity with planned giving concepts and integrated advancement strategies.
Proficiency with CRM systems such as Raiser’s Edge and data-driven fundraising practices.
Valid driver's license.
Ability to travel.
Ability to talk or hear regularly; stand and walk frequently; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and occasionally lift office products and supplies up to 20 pounds.
Ability to use a computer screen and phone, and to perform customer service duties.
Ability to bend or sit for long periods.
Vision abilities including close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Compliance with campus-specific pandemic protocols.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and leadership gift prospects.
Manage a portfolio of approximately 100–150 qualified prospects, focusing on gifts of $25,000 and above.
Create individualized cultivation and solicitation plans in coordination with senior leaders, faculty, and volunteers.
Lead or support solicitations for significant gifts, including multi-year commitments and campaign investments.
Contribute to an integrated fundraising plan aligned with University priorities and campaign goals.
Collaborate with annual giving, planned giving, and corporate and foundation relations colleagues to advance philanthropic outcomes.
Assist with planning and executing capital campaigns and targeted fundraising initiatives.
Design and lead a planned giving program, including cultivating prospects for estate gifts, beneficiary designations, charitable gift annuities, trusts, and blended gifts.
Promote legacy giving through outreach, educational programming, events, communications, and stewardship.
Oversee and grow the legacy recognition society while respecting benefactors’ confidentiality preferences.
Maintain documentation and stewardship processes for deferred gift commitments.
Build long-term relationships with alumni, parents, friends, and institutional partners.
Provide timely donor acknowledgments, impact reporting, and ongoing engagement opportunities.
Partner with University leadership to deepen donor understanding of institutional priorities and giving opportunities.
Establish and meet annual fundraising goals, including goals for visits, solicitations, and dollars raised.
Maintain accurate and timely donor interaction and strategy records in Raiser’s Edge.
Use data and analytics to inform fundraising strategy, track progress, and adjust approaches.
Contribute to a collaborative, mission-driven Advancement team; mentor junior staff or lead initiatives as appropriate.
Follow fundraising best practices and uphold donor confidentiality and ethical standards.
Follow University and University Advancement policies and procedures, work independently and collaboratively, and attend departmental and University meetings and events.
Coordinate with University offices and departments, facilitate program needs, and serve on University committees as needed.
Manage multiple tasks, apply professional best practices, and use sound project management practices.
Organize information, use online platforms, analyze data, and develop reports.
Handle confidential and sensitive matters with diplomacy and sound judgment, applying analytical, conflict-resolution, and problem-solving skills.
Complete required University-specific and OSHA-related training.