Sr. Development Officer, Major Gifts

NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK•Geneva, IL

4d•$73,744 - $86,757•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Development Officer is a senior individual contributor responsible for building and managing a portfolio of major-gift donors and prospects, generally at the $10,000+ level. The position develops personalized strategies to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors whose philanthropy can advance Northern Illinois Food Bank's mission and strategic priorities. Working closely with the Chief Philanthropy Officer, CEO, philanthropy colleagues, program leaders, and volunteers, the Senior Development Officer translates organizational priorities into compelling donor opportunities. The position exercises a high level of independent judgment in developing donor strategies, strengthening relationships, and advancing major gift opportunities. This full-time position is based out of our West Suburban Center (Geneva) location.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Seven or more years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including a demonstrated record of securing significant gifts from individuals.
Experience managing a portfolio and using a disciplined moves-management or prospect-review process.
Demonstrated ability to develop cultivation and solicitation strategies, make direct asks, and close gifts.
Exceptional relationship-building, listening, writing, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
Strong project management, organization, follow-through, judgment, and attention to detail.
Ability to work independently, prioritize competing demands, and collaborate effectively across teams and levels of leadership.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and a donor relationship management database; willingness to use data to guide strategy and maintain accurate records.
Commitment to Northern Illinois Food Bank’s mission and to respectful, donor-centered, and ethical fundraising practices.

Nice To Haves

Experience securing six-figure or larger gifts.
Experience with planned giving, campaigns, principal gifts, or complex gift conversations.
Experience in hunger relief, human services, healthcare, or another mission-driven organization.

Responsibilities

Manage a defined portfolio of current and prospective major donors, maintaining an appropriate balance of qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activity.
Develop and execute written, donor-specific strategies with clear next steps, target ask amounts, timing, and internal partners.
Conduct regular donor visits and meaningful interactions in person, virtually, and by phone; document activity and next steps promptly in the donor database.
Qualify new prospects through research, discovery conversations, giving history, engagement, and philanthropic capacity, and recommend portfolio entry or disqualification as appropriate.
Solicit major gifts independently and in partnership with the Chief Philanthropy Officer, CEO, board members, volunteers, and other organizational leaders.
Prepare donor briefings, proposals, concept papers, solicitation letters, gift agreements, and stewardship reports in collaboration with philanthropy, finance, programs, and communications colleagues.
Partner across the organization to understand funding priorities, develop credible cases for support, and connect donor interests with measurable opportunities for impact.
Maintain accurate forecasts and a healthy pipeline; participate actively in moves management and prospect-review meetings and address stalled relationships.
Achieve annual goals for revenue, donor retention, portfolio movement, meaningful interactions, solicitations, and other agreed-upon performance measures.
Create thoughtful stewardship experiences that demonstrate impact, deepen trust, and position donors for renewed and increased support.
Identify opportunities for blended, planned, campaign, and principal gifts and engage appropriate internal or external expertise when needed.
Serve as a resource and mentor to gift officers by sharing effective practices, offering strategic counsel, and supporting a consistent donor-centered approach.
Represent Northern Illinois Food Bank at donor meetings, tours, community gatherings, and special events, including occasional evening or weekend commitments.
Protect donor confidentiality and follow gift acceptance, documentation, ethical fundraising, and data-management policies.
Perform other related duties and/or responsibilities as assigned or required.