Director of Development, Parent & Family Leadership

Position Overview

The Director of Development, Parent and Family Leadership leads development efforts for alumni and non-alumni parent major gift fundraising efforts.

S)he reports to the Assistant Vice President of Regional Development and partners with fellow parent fundraiser(s), development colleagues across the division, along with Prospect Management, Research and Engagement colleagues.

S)he maintains a personal major gift portfolio of current parents, assists with building the Parent & Family Leadership Council from a development and engagement perspective, working closely with the additional Director of Development for Parent and Family Leadership.

This role is based out of our downtown Chicago office. It also has the opportunity to work in a hybrid work arrangement, with time worked from the office as well as remotely.

Duties and Responsibilities 1. Portfolio Management :

Manages a portfolio of approximately 40 prospects with capacity to make gifts of $100,000 and more with annual production goal in excess of $1,000,000;

regularly identifies and contacts additional prospects through research and referrals.

• Meets individually with prospects and volunteers. Responsible for moving constituents through the major gift pipeline and toward making a philanthropic commitment to the university.
• Makes personal gift solicitations. Management of the process includes maintaining a comprehensive understanding of university priorities, preparation of the solicitation materials, conducting strategy meetings, and preparing briefing materials for President / Vice President of Advancement / others involved in solicitation.
• Travels within region to meet with donors and prospects.

2. Collaboration :

• Partners with parent teammate to develop and execute an annual fundraising business plan in partnership with Student Affairs.
• Works collaboratively with Donor Relations and Regional Development on stewardship plans for unit and PFLC benefactors.
• Provides input on the Parents & Family Leadership Council (PFLC), including developing and managing fundraising goals and strategies and creating a culture of philanthropy among leadership members.

3. Administrative focus :

• Meets regularly with the Assistant Vice President, Regional Development to assess projects, review strategies, and track progress toward meeting fundraising performance benchmarks.
• Maintains appropriate contact with prospects and records all contact in University Advancement prospect management system.
• Travels to campus quarterly and / or as needed.

4. Perform other duties and responsibilities as required, assigned, or requested. Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required.

A minimum of 5 years of either sales or fundraising experience in higher education, including a successful fundraising track record of working a portfolio of prospects and securing major gifts

Ability to develop short- and long-range development plans, builds relationships, displays organizational savvy, thinks strategically, and executes on plans, communicates clearly and listens effectively, identifies and implements effective processes and procedures, leverages networks, drives for results of high quality, influences and motivates others to action.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Public speaking experience, familiarity with donor-based CRM and working in higher education industry.

Department University Advancement