Senior Director, Major Gifts

University of Chicago • Chicago, IL

4d • $145,000 - $185,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business is the second-oldest business school in the U.S. and second to none when it comes to influencing business education and business practices. Since 1898, the school has produced ideas and leaders that shape the world of business. Their rigorous, discipline-based approach to business education transforms students into confident, effective, respected business leaders prepared to face the toughest challenges. Chicago Booth has the finest set of facilities of any business school in the world. Each of the four campuses (two in Chicago, one in London, and one in Hong Kong) reflects the architectural traditions of its environs while offering a state-of-the-art learning environment. Chicago Booth is proud to claim: -an unmatched faculty. -degree and open enrollment programs offered on three continents. -a global body of nearly 56,000 accomplished alumni. -strong and growing corporate relationships that provide a wealth of lifelong career opportunities. As part of the world-renowned University of Chicago, Chicago Booth shares the University's core values that shape the distinctive intellectual culture. At Booth, they constantly question and test ideas, and seek proof. This extraordinarily effective approach to business leads to new ideas and innovative solutions. Seven of the Booth faculty members have won Nobel Prizes for these ideas - the first business school to achieve this accomplishment. For more information about the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, please visit: http://www.chicagobooth.edu/
The Senior Director, Major Gifts provides strategic and operational leadership for Chicago Booth’s domestic major gifts program, advancing the school’s philanthropic priorities and fundraising goals. The role oversees a team of frontline fundraisers and support staff, ensuring consistent performance, portfolio health, and accountability across regions. Working in close partnership with the Executive Director, Development, the Senior Director translates institutional strategy into executable fundraising plans and supports leadership engagement in major gift activity. This role plays a critical part in strengthening a culture of philanthropy and maximizing major gift outcomes across the U.S.

Requirements

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Master’s degree.
• A minimum seven years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including experience in major gifts.
• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Outstanding verbal, written, and presentation skills, as well as organizational skills.
• Work independently with little supervision; possess a self-motivated disposition; identify opportunities for improvement and recommend effective changes, all while achieving key objectives resulting in desired outcomes.
• Excellent strategic planning, critical thinking, analytical, and persuasion skills.
• Handle multiple detailed tasks/projects simultaneously and meet strict deadlines with frequent interruptions.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and diplomatically with colleagues, as well as with students, faculty and corporate contacts in a multitude of communication methods, including in-person, email, and phone.
• Professional demeanor, including tact, discretion, and a customer service-oriented approach.

Responsibilities

• Leads the planning, execution, and evaluation of Chicago Booth’s domestic major gifts strategy in support of school and University priorities.
• Manages and mentors a team of major gifts professionals, setting clear expectations, goals, and accountability measures.
• Oversees portfolio management, forecasting, and performance metrics to ensure progress toward fundraising targets.
• Partners with the Executive Director, Development to develop multi-year fundraising plans and establish performance benchmarks.
• Provides strategic guidance on cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for high-capacity prospects.
• Collaborates with Advancement colleagues, faculty, and senior leadership to align donor interests with institutional priorities.
• Supports leadership engagement by preparing briefings, strategy recommendations, and follow-up actions for donor interactions.
• Ensures consistent use of fundraising systems, data, and best practices across regional portfolios.
• Contributes to a positive team culture that values collaboration, professional development, and continuous improvement.
• Develops department strategies and plans to achieve fundraising goals.
• Reviews and assesses staff.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Benefits

• The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees