Director of Development, Major Gifts

DePaul University Athletics

Director of Development leading comprehensive fundraising strategy for the College of Education and other university units. Focused on major gifts and donor engagement to support philanthropic initiatives.

Posted 5/28/2026full-timeChicago • Illinois • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $74,367 - $100,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

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.
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.
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.
Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to pursue professional development opportunities in the field of Advancement.
This position is responsible for the expense against budget for the fundraising budget for COE and SCPS.

Requirements

What you’ll need

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.

Benefits

Comp & 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

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

fundraisingmajor gift solicitationrelationship managementstrategic planningproject supportbudget managementlong-term planningcommunication skillspresentation skills

Soft Skills

professional demeanorwritten communicationverbal communicationrelationship buildingenthusiasmcommitment to excellencemotivational abilityinitiativecollaboration

Certifications

Bachelor's degree