Associate Director, Major Gifts

Department: Alumni Relations & Development
Salary/Grade: EXS/10

Target hiring range for this position will be between $87,900-$90,000 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:

Reporting to the senior director, this position will identify, cultivate and solicits major gift donations from a prospect pool of alumni, parents and friends of the University located in the Chicago region or a specified region outside the Chicago Metro Area. Manages process and prospects which includes building a balanced portfolio through qualifying visits and cultivation of prospects through meaningful engagement opportunities leading to major gift solicitations that align with donor passions and financial capacity, securing commitments and stewarding gifts. May interface with deans, faculty, program directors and other University leaders to prepare them for prospect meetings and other solicitations.

This role includes structured professional development through Plus Delta’s Discipline of Frontline Fundraising program, which provides high quality training to strengthen fundamental skills in donor cultivation, solicitation, portfolio management, and strategic relationship building. Additional ARD resources further connect Northwestern policies and processes with the best practices introduced in Plus Delta’s curriculum.

We’re recruiting for multiple roles, and one of the positions will require travel.

 

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Gathers data, assesses leads, and develops strategies designed to realize the current and life-time giving potential of individual prospects.
• Maintains consistent and appropriate contact.
• Facilitates or makes solicitations.
• Ensures effective stewardship.

 

Collaboration

• Involves moderate- to-high level collaboration with both internal department partners and moderate level of collaboration with broader University partners to identify & integrate resources in order to accomplish strategic goals & objectives.
• Key partnerships and work involved includes:
  • Gift Planning (e.g., deferred gifts; estate giving, etc.)
  • Degree Granting Schools (e.g. Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences; McCormick School of Engineering; Medill School of Journalism; School of Education and Social Policy, etc.)
  • University Programs (e.g., University Libraries; Block Museum; Parent Giving and Student Affairs, etc.)
  • Northwestern Alumni Association; Northwestern University Leadership Circle

Prospects & Gifts

• Develops, plans & implements strategies, goals & approaches to close major gifts.
• Partners with other areas of development, specifically Schools and Programs team, Leadership Annual Giving, and Planned Giving to coordinate contacts.
• Builds a portfolio through discovery and qualification of approximately 45 prospects annually. Identifies, researches & personally solicits major gifts of $100K to $5M.
• Completes associated stewardship activities.
• Maintains up-to-date best practices and evaluates closed prospects.
• Recommends changes to enhance innovation, objectives & goals.
• Requires travel throughout a specified region outside the Chicago Metro Area

 

Administration

• Gathers, records and retrieves information about prospects and donors utilizing the University's donor and alumni tracking database, Internet, meetings with development staff, faculty, etc.
• Prepares contact reports on meetings and interactions with alumni.

 

Supervisory

• Provides training to staff within or outside of immediate dept or division in regard to function.

 

Miscellaneous 

• Performs other duties as assigned.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS  (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-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.
• 4 years development, marketing, sales or the equivalent experience is required.

 

MINIMUM COMPETENCIES (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Organization – Demonstrates the ability to structure tasks, manage priorities, and maintain efficient workflows to achieve objectives on time and within scope.
• Analytical Thinking – Applies logical reasoning and data-driven analysis to identify patterns, solve complex problems, and make informed decisions.
• Big-Picture Thinking – Understands and anticipates the broader impact of decisions, aligning actions with long-term goals and organizational strategy.
• Curiosity – Actively seeks new knowledge, explores innovative approaches, and adapts quickly to emerging trends and information.
• Independent Teamwork & Collaboration – Works autonomously while fostering strong collaboration, ensuring alignment and shared success across teams.

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS  (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Experience in higherEd or large complex institution.

 

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://hr.northwestern.edu/benefits/ 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://hr.northwestern.edu/well-being/ 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://hr.northwestern.edu/talent-development/ 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.

 

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