Job Description

Senior Director of Strategic Giving

Chicago, IL

Onsite

Position Overview

This is an opportunity for you to play a critical role at an impactful organization in Chicago, IL. As the Senior Director od Strategic Giving, you will be responsible for leading the major and planned giving efforts, managing a team and a portfolio of top donors to support a $15M annual revenue goal while advancing campaigns and equity-focused fundraising. This role requires a seasoned development leader with expertise in major gifts, capital campaigns, donor stewardship, and team mentorship.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an annual plan with clear goals, objectives, and success metrics to grow annual and strategic major gifts
• Cultivate and retain donors, converting strategic initiative donors into renewing leadership annual giving donors at the major gift level
• Manage a team of 3-5 Major Gifts Officers and oversee a portfolio of 35-50 prospects
• Identify and prioritize top prospects through research and giving history analysis
• Develop personalized cultivation strategies for key donors each quarter, aligning with overall fundraising goals
• Lead major gift solicitations in collaboration with the Chief Philanthropy Officer and senior leadership
• Oversee solicitation strategy and moves management for major, principal, and campaign gifts
• Create and contribute to donor proposals and personalized stewardship reports
• Enhance donor recognition efforts through events, publications, and permanent acknowledgments in partnership with the Senior Director of Stewardship and Operations
• Strengthen the planned giving program, integrating it into major gift strategies with the Senior Planned Giving Officer
• Promote planned giving awareness among annual and direct response donors
• Coordinate cross-team donor engagement strategies with senior leadership, finance, and annual giving teams
• Collaborate across departments to support fundraising initiatives and institutional funding opportunities

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• 7+ years of development experience and 3+ years in major gifts and team management
• Expertise in donor relations, including major gift solicitation, planned giving, and capital campaigns
• Strong collaboration skills, working effectively with high-level donors, volunteers, and colleagues
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in fundraising practices
• Proactive and adaptable, capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and negotiation skills
• Detail-oriented and highly organized
• Team player with the ability to work independently
• Proficient in MS Office; Raiser's Edge experience preferred

Compensation

• Salary: $160,000 - $165,000 (commensurate with experience)
• Excellent benefits package that includes medical, vision, and dental care

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