Director of Major Giving, Midwest

Director of Major Giving, Midwest

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Posting Details

Posting Number: 20254310S
Position Title: Director of Major Giving, Midwest
Position Type: Staff
Location: Chicago, IL
Recruitment Type: Internal/External Applicants
Work Schedule: full-time/12-months
Avg Hours Week Department: 604 - University Advancement

Ignite Your Career at Villanova University!
Whether undergraduate or graduate, faculty or staff, each community member brings with them a wealth of experiences that enrich our University and shift our perspectives. As a part of this community, your work will improve lives and ignite change!

Why work at Villanova?

• Join a mission-driven organization. Since Villanova University’s founding in 1842, we have been inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, and are a community dedicated to service to others.
• Villanova has been included among the nation’s best colleges and universities. VU’s inclusion again in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best Colleges” rankings is another indication of the University’s continued prominence and forward momentum.
• Villanova’s most precious asset is our people. As an employee, you will receive a holistic benefits package, generous paid time off, a competitive retirement savings plan, flexible work options, wellness programs including gym membership, professional development, tuition assistance, and more.

Villanova University has embarked on a 10-year strategic plan, Rooted. Restless., with the goal of enhancing the Augustinian Catholic living and learning experience for all members of our community. University Advancement is seeking exceptional talent to join our mission-driven team working together toward our shared vision for Villanova, fueled by the generosity of the University’s philanthropic supporters as we “keep moving” in the spirit of St. Augustine in the public phase of Villanova’s comprehensive capital campaign: Espiritus Nova.

This is a full-time remote position, based in Chicago, IL.
Reporting to the Executive Director for Regional Development, the Director of Major Giving for the Midwest region will develop, implement, and maintain a fundraising initiative for the Midwest region with a strategic focus on the Chicagoland area. Other subregions of focus include Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Missouri, and Wisconsin. The Director will identify, cultivate, and solicit alumni, parents, and friends of the University for major gifts ($100,000 and above); identify and manage senior volunteers; design and conduct prospect cultivation events; and maintain an awareness of relevant Alumni Relations activity in the region. The Director will be responsible for day-to-day management of the Midwest Region and the Midwest Campaign Committee. The Director will collaborate with other Advancement staff and academic leaders to achieve fundraising and engagement objectives. This position will require quarterly trips to campus (Philadelphia area), in addition to regular local prospect-driven travel throughout the region.

The Director is expected to conduct 10-12 prospect visits per month and manage a portfolio of 100 prospects per year, and must be able to represent Villanova University’s mission enthusiastically and accurately to a variety of constituents and stakeholders. A successful Director will be independent, self-motivated, metrics-driven, and take creative and collaborative approaches to meet the University’s vision through the public-phase of its comprehensive campaign, Espiritus Nova.

Duties and Responsibilities

• (Fundraising) Plans, implements, and evaluates a major gifts plan for the Midwest Region, establishes priorities, activity, and revenue goals, and develops relationships and programs to maximize revenue from Alumni, parents, and friends of the University. Successfully creates and manages a major gift portfolio of prospects actively bringing them toward major gift closure.
• (External Relations) Actively develops relationships with academic leaders and staff to ensure positive internal and external public reactions.
• Supports the University in the Midwest region by staffing academic leaders, providing briefing materials/strategy assessment, and by organizing donor cultivation activities.
• Coordinates the management and strategy of regional gift prospects through the central prospect management system, collaborating with school and college-based colleagues where appropriate.
• Performs additional duties and assist with special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 5-7 years’ experience in fundraising, with at least 3-4 years in major gift work required.
• Proven successful experience in individual fundraising required and in acquiring corporate and foundation funding desired.
• Commitment to higher education and a strong desire to associate with Villanova University and champion its mission required.
• Understanding of the University culture and the process for decision making and program development required.
• Ability and willingness to travel required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills required.
• Comfort level working in a team-oriented environment required, but also must be disciplined and results-oriented.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with colleagues while working in an off-campus location required.
• Knowledge of general office equipment, including use of laptop computers, required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Significant major gift experience in a sophisticated, complex environment preferred.
• Management/supervisory experience preferred.

Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours

This position is based in Chicago, IL. Ability to travel and work evenings and weekends required.

Special Message to Applicants

Posting Date: 03/12/2025
Closing Date (11:59pm ET): Salary Posting Information: $139,600-147,400. Commensurate with experience. Salary Band: 20 Job Classification: exempt

References Needed

Minimum Number of References Needed: 3
Maximum Number of References Needed: 3

Supplemental Questions

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• * How did you first hear of this employment opportunity?

Documents needed to complete your application:

• Cover Letter / Letter of Interest
• Resume / Curriculum Vitae