Location
Chicago, Illinois
Please include a cover letter for full consideration. This position is within Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, based on Northwestern's Chicago campus. Hybrid schedule available. Target hiring range for this position will be between $150,000 - $165,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. Job Summary The Director, Major Gifts (Medicine) is a senior fundraising position with responsibility for the management, design and implementation of innovative programs to identify prospective major and/or principal gift donors to support the Feinberg School of Medicine. Focusing on grateful patients and influential community leaders, the Director devises and executes plans to qualify, cultivate, steward and solicit donors. In addition, the person serving in this position oversees the tracking and management of a robust prospect pool to ensure an ongoing pipeline of philanthropic support, and builds and adapts programs to a point of sustainability. The Director interfaces with medical school faculty and leaders to prepare them for prospect meetings and solicitations, and collaborates with various Feinberg teams (e.g., other grateful patient fundraising teams, Donor Relations, Feinberg Special Events), university and Northwestern Medicine partners, along with senior institute and center leaders and/or faculty, to develop fundraising strategies. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Prospects and Gifts
Provides leadership, determines and evaluates individual goals, develops and implements training and mentoring, and assigns and monitors coverage of primary areas of focus ensuring that goals and objectives are attained.
Responsible for portfolio management and achieving measurable targets for each fiscal year associated with the qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of prospects and donors; achieve cash and commitment goals as part of the Feinberg School of Medicine Office of Development and Alumni Relations. Engages stakeholders through special events, volunteer outreach, and key initiatives for major gift fundraising and program development. Represents Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Northwestern Medicine at events at donor cultivation events. Identifies and personally solicits high-profile, and/or extremely complex major gifts by managing a robust portfolio of pool of prospective donors at the $100K+ level and above. Ensures that prospect information and contact reports are up-to-date; works with other areas to coordinate contacts. Travels locally and regionally to meet with donors and prospective donors. Strategic Planning
Creates and leads a coordinated program of fundraising activities designed to increase the number and level of major ($100K+) and principal gift ($5M+) donors, with a focus on grateful patients of Feinberg faculty physicians, along with patients' families and networks. Develops and executes strategies to involve institute and center leaders, medical school faculty, and volunteers to identify and cultivate new individual prospects.
Collaboration
Reviews and proposes strategic alliances, joint ventures and key collaborations within the department, medical school, Northwestern University, and Northwestern Medicine partners to identify opportunities and accomplish campaign goals and strategic objectives. Key collaborations include:
Leadership and faculty of Feinberg School of Medicine institutes and centers, as well as other assigned program areas Internal colleagues, including gift officers and the Donor Relations, Operations and Finance, and Special Events teams Northwestern Memorial Foundation counterparts NU Alumni Relations and Development (ARD) partners Mentors and coaches team members regarding collaborations. Administration
Oversees the concurrent administration of multiple major gifts. Ensures compliance with prospect management guidelines for tracking and maintenance of contact and progress reporting. Coordinates appointments and prepares materials used by senior management, faculty, and volunteers for meetings, visits, events, or phone calls with top prospects, donors, and key constituents. Manages administrative support to ensure effective, successful daily operations, including:
Timely, accurate completion of proposals, pledges and fund agreements. Documentation of prospect strategies and contact reports. Evaluation of new prospects. Strategically manages program budget to minimize expenses while maximizing return. Events and Volunteers
Manages fundraising events and volunteer committees related to Feinberg institutes and centers supported. Develops, plans, and implements strategies, goals, and approaches for programs and/or events that promote engagement and philanthropic opportunities. - Identifies target audience(s).
- Develops innovative programming for both in-person and virtual events.
- Creates event plans and summaries.
Oversees event budgets, including revenue and spending. Supervisory
Provides peer leadership, mentorship, and coaching within the team. In conjunction with Associate Dean, hires and supervises temporary staff associated with major events or projects. As needed, provides training to staff within or outside of immediate department or division in regard to function. Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)
Successful completion of a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree, or appropriate combination of education and experience. Eight years of development, marketing, sales or equivalent experience. Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)
Proficiency and comfort level using the Microsoft Office suite of applications, including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel. Knowledge of Feinberg School of Medicine's mission and the ability to effectively articulate (verbally and in writing) our impact on human health to the donor community. Strong understanding of fundraising best practices and the ability to cultivate and solicit donations from individuals at major gift capacity. Ability to manage one's time - simultaneously balancing multiple projects and prioritizing wisely. Ability to synthesize information, read situations, and solve problems using analytical thinking. Ability to work independently, collaborate with colleagues, and adapt with change. Inclination to learn about medical research studies from our faculty partners. Ability to teach faculty members about philanthropy and how to most effectively work with our office. Ability to handle sensitive information and situations with discretion, in accordance with the Northwestern Alumni Relations and Development Constituent Information Confidentiality Policy. Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)
Experience working in philanthropy at an institution of higher education, an academic medical center, or a hospital; experience in grateful patient fundraising. Experience working with a complex CRM, Salesforce preferred. Track record of growing fundraising totals, sales, etc. Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)
Strong writing skills to ensure that proposals and stewardship reports are succinct, clear, and compelling. Professional presence that conveys credibility and engenders trust. The ability to build strong collaborative relationships with colleagues, alumni, and donors. Strong work ethic coupled with a sense of humor and perspective. Familiarity with planned giving vehicles, private foundations, and trends in grateful patient philanthropy. Requires attending and staffing meetings and events outside of normal office hours (evenings, weekends, etc.). Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more. Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more. Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more. Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process. #LI-GY1
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Northwestern University
$150,000.00 - $165,000.00 / yr
life insurance
May 09, 2026