Director of Development, Major Gifts in Chicago, Illinois at DePaul University
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Job Description
Director of Development, Major GiftsLoop Campus (Hybrid)Job Description
What You'll Do:
1. Directs the identification, qualification, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift prospects/donors, including alumni, parents, and friends of the College of Education, the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, and other university units with comprehensive campaign-related philanthropic priorities (i.e., Mission and Ministry, Student Affairs, Libraries, etc.). Develop and implement strategies to engage parents with major and leadership gift potential as philanthropic partners. Ensures that, over time, assigned areas have sufficient qualified major gift prospects to achieve established goals.
2. Create and implement annual and long-range major gift solicitation plans based on specific metrics and financial goals. Ensure solicitation plans, reports, and shifts in stages of readiness are accurately noted and regularly maintained in the division's relationship management platform.
3. Provide strategic project and outreach support to leadership of the College/School, university units, and/or Associate Vice President of Advancement. Support donor, prospect, and parent engagement activities, including coordination of outreach aligned with fundraising and campaign priorities. Participates, as appropriate, in university-wide initiatives, task forces, and committees, representing assigned areas in select engagement activities.
4. Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to pursue professional development opportunities in the field of Advancement.
5. This position is responsible for the expense against budget for the fundraising budget for COE and SCPS.
• Bachelor's degree, required;
• 3 - 5 years of increasing responsibility as a professional fundraiser, focused on cultivating and soliciting major gifts; experience working with parent prospects, preferred.
• Polished, professional demeanor and superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to develop relationships with colleagues across all areas of Advancement and the ability to work successfully with a wide variety of colleagues throughout campus.
• Enthusiasm, a commitment to excellence, motivational ability, and the ability to successfully interact with high net-worth individuals and their families.
• Ability to develop and organize long-term plans and execute those plans.
• Demonstrated proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, and experience with fundraising CRM systems; Salesforce, preferred.
• A creative, entrepreneurial approach to working with academic partners.
• Excellent personal presentation and superior communication skills.
• Comfortable operating independently and taking initiative within the context of team-based, collaborative environment.
• Position requires some travel.
• Occasional evening and weekend work for events and donor meetings.
Perks:
- Working for a stable and well-known University.
- Top choice medical, dental, and vision benefits.
- Retirement plan matching contribution of 8%.
- Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
- Generous paid time off, sick time, holidays, floating holidays, and more!
- Full-Time Benefits
Vincentian Mission:
Guided by an ethic of Vincentian personalism and professionalism, DePaul compassionately upholds the dignity of all members of its diverse, multi-faith, and inclusive community. We seek to hire collaborative, open-minded, and dedicated professionals who are committed to advancing our university mission to making education accessible to all, with special attention to including underserved and underrepresented communities. Successful candidates thrive in an environment where ideas and perspectives representing a wide variety of cultures, backgrounds and experiences are welcome and supported.
Required Background Check:
DePaul University is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information or any other legally protected status, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local EEO laws.
Job Category: Advancement
Posting date: 05/28/2026, 06:20 PM
Job Schedule: Full time
Locations: Loop Campus (Hybrid)
Append string: DePaul University is an Equal Opportunity employer with a strong commitment to hiring for our mission and diversifying our faculty and staff. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion (except where religion is a bona fide occupational qualification for the job), national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status or any other factor protected by law.