Senior Director of Development

CURE Epilepsy•Chicago, IL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

CURE Epilepsy is a parent-founded nonprofit dedicated to finding a cure for epilepsy through research. Epilepsy is a significant neurological disorder affecting many Americans, with a portion of individuals experiencing uncontrolled symptoms or severe medication side effects. Since 1998, CURE Epilepsy has funded over $100 million in research, leading to substantial advancements. This role is crucial in advancing the mission by leading visionary fundraising efforts. The Senior Director of Development reports to the CEO and is a key member of the senior leadership team. This position will oversee and enhance CURE Epilepsy's comprehensive development program, aiming for sustainable revenue growth and fostering a donor-centered culture. The role involves strategic leadership for major gifts, annual giving, institutional philanthropy, planned giving, events, and donor engagement to meet ambitious revenue targets. Success will be measured by revenue growth, as well as the strengthening of people, systems, partnerships, and culture for long-term philanthropic success. The Senior Director will build, coach, and inspire a development team responsible for generating over $6 million annually, positioning the organization for continued growth and promoting a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. This role requires a data-informed approach, strengthening fundraising operations, and cultivating shared fundraising ownership among staff and the Board. It sits at the intersection of scientific innovation and philanthropy, translating complex research into compelling stories for donors to accelerate breakthroughs for people with epilepsy. The ideal candidate is a strategic, collaborative, results-oriented executive with strong business acumen and emotional intelligence, skilled in relationship building, people management, and persuasive communication.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive fundraising leadership experience
Proven success growing philanthropic revenue
Ability to develop and execute fundraising strategies
Experience leading comprehensive fundraising programs
Expertise across major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, and events
Track record cultivating high-capacity donors and philanthropic partners
7+ years of people management experience preferred
Experience building and developing high-performing teams
Collaborative leadership style with strong coaching skills
Experience partnering with boards, volunteers, and executive leaders
Data-driven approach to fundraising strategy and decision-making
Experience developing budgets, forecasts, and performance metrics
Strong project management and organizational skills
Experience with Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT or similar CRM platforms
Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills
Compelling storyteller with donor-focused communication skills
Ability to translate complex scientific concepts for diverse audiences
Passion for advancing CURE Epilepsy’s mission and research priorities
Bachelor's degree required

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree and/or CFRE preferred
Experience in healthcare, medical research, or voluntary health organizations
Familiarity with Chicago philanthropic community
CFRE certification

Responsibilities

Lead and strengthen an integrated development organization that aligns fundraising strategy and operations with communications and scientific priorities.
Serve as a strategic member of the senior leadership team, contributing to organizational planning, decision-making, and long-term growth.
Foster a culture of philanthropy and shared fundraising ownership across staff, leadership, and the Board.
Partner with the Board of Directors to strengthen fundraising engagement, identify new philanthropic opportunities, and support board development activities.
Promote innovation, continuous improvement, and data-informed decision-making throughout the development function.
Lead the development and implementation of a multi-year fundraising strategy that grows and diversifies philanthropic revenue across all giving channels.
Establish annual fundraising goals, performance metrics, and key performance indicators to drive sustainable growth.
Identify emerging philanthropic opportunities and adapt fundraising strategies to capitalize on changing donor trends and organizational priorities.
Develop integrated donor strategies that coordinate the efforts of the CEO, Principal & Strategic Gifts Officer, Board members, and development staff to maximize philanthropic outcomes.
Personally manage a select portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects, focusing on strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of key relationships.
Expand and strengthen annual giving, corporate and foundation partnerships, planned giving, and other revenue-generating initiatives to create a balanced and diversified fundraising program.
Build systems and strategies that increase donor acquisition, retention, engagement, and lifetime value across the organization's fundraising portfolio.
Partner with the Chief Financial Officer to develop and monitor fundraising forecasts, pipeline metrics, and performance dashboards to ensure accurate revenue projections and informed strategic decision-making.
Provide regular fundraising performance reports and strategic recommendations to the CEO, Board of Directors, and senior leadership team.
Build, lead, and inspire a high-performing development team by establishing a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
Establish clear performance expectations and support staff in achieving ambitious fundraising goals.
Model best practices in donor engagement, fundraising ethics, and relationship management.
Partner with the Chief Scientific Officer and scientific staff to translate complex research into compelling philanthropic investment opportunities.
Foster productive partnerships across departments to ensure fundraising strategies are integrated with organizational priorities.
Serve as an ambassador for CURE Epilepsy, representing the organization with donors, corporate partners, foundations, volunteers, and the broader epilepsy community.
Identify opportunities to increase CURE Epilepsy's visibility and strengthen its reputation as a leader in epilepsy research.
Ensure systems, processes, analytics, stewardship, and reporting effectively support fundraising growth.
Oversee the strategy, financial performance, and execution of CURE Epilepsy's signature fundraising events.
Promote continuous improvement by leveraging fundraising analytics and industry best practices.