Senior Director, Major Gifts

The Community Solution•Chicago, IL

17h•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Director, Major Gifts is the lead individual fundraiser driving philanthropic support for The Chicago School, including the Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine. This builder’s role is responsible for establishing and growing a major-gift prospect pipeline where limited fundraising infrastructure currently exists. The Senior Director identifies, cultivates, solicits, and closes six- and seven-figure gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations, focusing on The Chicago School Fund, the IllinoisCOM Fund, the Clinical Psychology Impact Fellowship, and NRCI. The role works with the President and Executive Cabinet to position the institution for these funding opportunities and build a donor pipeline. It is an externally focused, individual-contributor fundraising position based in Chicago, with significant time spent engaging donors and prospects away from campus. Internal campaign management, including employee and trustee giving, is managed by the Director, Major Gifts. Occasional travel may be required. The position is offered under an initial one-year employment agreement; renewal terms will depend on demonstrated performance and institutional needs. Success includes developing a qualified pipeline of principal and major gift prospects that supports an annual goal of $1 million in new commitments; securing six- and seven-figure gifts and multi-year commitments; advancing prospects consistently through the fundraising cycle; and maintaining clear, accurate reporting on key performance indicators. The role also manages and coaches Major Gifts personnel, oversees employee and trustee giving campaign execution, coordinates with institutional teams, and maintains fundraising records and reports.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
At least 7 years of frontline major gift fundraising experience, with a demonstrated track record of closing six- or seven-figure gifts.
Experience managing a personal portfolio of 50–75 major and principal gift prospects.
Some direct or matrixed management experience, such as managing or coaching a coordinator or junior fundraiser.
Familiarity and experience with Chicago-area funders, corporations, or foundations.
Experience building a fundraising pipeline and closing major gifts with limited infrastructure.

Nice To Haves

Experience fundraising in higher education, healthcare, or academic medicine.
Experience partnering directly with a president, CEO, or executive leadership team on fundraising strategy and execution.
Familiarity with clinical psychology, mental health, or osteopathic medicine as a philanthropic priority area.
Proficiency with a donor CRM; Raiser's Edge is preferred.

Responsibilities

Build and manage a portfolio of principal and major gift prospects, personally advancing each through identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Prepare and negotiate proposals and gift agreements for six- and seven-figure commitments.
Build relationships with local, regional, and national funders aligned with the four priority funds; conduct prospect research and identification as needed.
Design and execute stewardship plans for major donors, including gift acknowledgment, impact reporting, and ongoing engagement to support retention and increased giving.
Work with the President and Executive Cabinet to position the institution for its priority funding opportunities.
Manage and coach Major Gifts personnel; set portfolio strategy and regularly review pipeline activity.
Oversee execution of employee and trustee giving campaigns managed by the Director, Major Gifts, ensuring alignment with overall fundraising strategy.
Coordinate with External Affairs teams, including University Communications, Office of Sponsored Programs, Alumni Relations, and Public Affairs, and with other institutional leaders to support university goals.
Set annual fundraising goals in conjunction with the President.
Maintain and oversee accurate, timely records of fundraising activity, moves, and next steps in Raiser's Edge, ensuring team compliance with university policies and procedures.
Report monthly on key metrics, including visits, proposals, and dollars raised against goal, and support additional executive- or board-level reporting as needed.