Bexley Seabury Seminary |Director of Philanthropy

Capital Development Services•Chicago, IL

8d•$140,000 - $150,000•Remote

About The Position

Bexley Seabury Seminary is seeking a Director of Philanthropy (DOP) to serve as the senior advancement leader and the President’s closest partner in donor strategy, cultivation, and major-gift conversations. This fully remote, full-time role will report directly to the President, focusing on major gifts, endowment-level commitments, and long-term philanthropic relationships. The DOP will build and manage the major-donor portfolio, develop a strong Presidential portfolio, and create the systems and structures that support sustainable philanthropic growth. The role requires extensive travel to meet with major prospects and donors across the United States, with a focus on Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. While focusing on high-level relationships, the DOP will also guide annual giving and alumni relations activities in coordination with the Dean of Student and Community Engagement. The ideal candidate is a seasoned major-gifts professional with strategic sophistication and hands-on execution, energized by the Seminary’s mission, and comfortable in a small, entrepreneurial environment.

Requirements

7–10+ years of progressive fundraising experience, with a strong record of securing major gifts.
Demonstrated success building and managing donor portfolios and closing five- and six-figure gifts.
Experience partnering with executive leaders on donor strategy.
Exceptional communication, storytelling, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to work independently in a fully remote environment.
Strong organizational discipline and comfort working in a financially urgent context.
Ability to build systems and donor pipelines.
Ability to travel extensively to build donor-centered relationships for the Seminary.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the Episcopal Church or mainline Protestant traditions.
Experience in theological education, higher education, or faith-based nonprofits.
Familiarity with CRM systems and data-driven fundraising practices.
Supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

Serve as the President’s primary philanthropic advisor and strategic partner.
Prepare briefings, talking points, call sheets, and follow-up plans for donor meetings.
Ensure the President spends 50%+ of his time in cultivation and solicitation.
Translate Presidential vision into structured donor strategies and philanthropic opportunities.
Support the Development Committee of the Board to build their engagement in fundraising and building donor relationships.
Build and manage the Seminary’s major-donor portfolio, including alumni, friends, parishes, dioceses, and foundations.
Develop a curated Presidential portfolio using historical giving data.
Create individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies for high-capacity prospects.
Establish major-gift tracking systems.
Write grant applications, as needed.
Build the structures, processes, and reporting systems that support long-term philanthropic growth.
Implement moves-management practices and ensure donor relationships are documented and transferable.
Translate institutional priorities into compelling philanthropic cases for support.
Establish early frameworks for legacy giving.
Oversee the CRM (Bloomerang), gift entry, acknowledgement, and stewardship processes.
Use the Seminary’s theological and missional language consistently — philanthropy as stewardship, invitation, and partnership.
Articulate the Seminary’s Gospel focus in a donor-centered, invitational way.
Build relationships rooted in authenticity, trust, and shared purpose.
Work closely with academic leadership, communications, and community engagement to ensure alignment in messaging and donor experience.
Collaborate and communicate with recruitment and engagement, through the Dean of Student and Community Engagement.
Oversee annual giving and alumni engagement roles as the advancement team grows.
Foster a culture of philanthropy across the Seminary, helping Board members, faculty, staff, and trustees understand their roles in donor engagement.
Develop and oversee the Development budget.
Participate and coordinate with the following staff committees: Leadership Team, Marketing, Financial Aid, Alumni Relations, Student Life.