Senior Director of Development

CURE Epilepsy

Senior Director of Development responsible for enhancing philanthropic revenue for CURE Epilepsy. Leading fundraising strategies, building donor relationships, and managing development teams.

Posted 7/28/2026full-timeChicago • Illinois • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $150,000 - $175,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive experience in developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies, with a strong focus on major gifts, annual giving, and planned giving. Proven ability to lead high-performing teams and foster collaborative relationships with boards and stakeholders to drive philanthropic revenue growth.

Highest-signal resume keywords

10+ Years Fundraising Leadership ExperienceProven Success Growing Philanthropic RevenueExpertise in Major Gifts and Planned GivingData-Driven Fundraising Strategy DevelopmentExperience with Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Fundraising Strategy DevelopmentMajor Gifts ExpertiseAnnual Giving ManagementPlanned Giving ProgramsPerformance Metrics DevelopmentBudgeting and ForecastingProject ManagementData Analysis for FundraisingDonor Relationship ManagementFundraising Event Strategy

Soft Skills

Collaborative LeadershipCoaching SkillsExceptional CommunicationCompelling StorytellingOrganizational Skills

Tools & Technologies

Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXTCRM Platforms

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor's DegreeAdvanced Degree PreferredCFRE Preferred

Industry Keywords

PhilanthropyFundraisingDonor EngagementNonprofit LeadershipEpilepsy Research

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

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.

Requirements

What you’ll need

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
Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills
Compelling storyteller with donor-focused communication skills
Passion for advancing CURE Epilepsy’s mission and research priorities
Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree and/or CFRE preferred

Benefits

Comp & perks

medical and dental insurance
long-term disability
life insurance
403(b) retirement plan with a match
vacation, sick, and personal days