"Managing Director/Director of Development"

Managing Director/Director of Development

Company:
Illinois Institute of Technology

Job Location:

Category:
Development and Fundraising

Type:
Full-Time

Director of Development

The Director of Development is a frontline fundraiser responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects capable of commitments of $100,000+. Directors manage a portfolio of prospects and support the university’s fundraising priorities across all academic units. Directors are assigned based on institutional priorities and will have primary fundraising responsibility for one or more academic units.

Managing Director of Development

The Managing Director, Development, serves as the senior frontline fundraising leader for all academic units across the university—including professional programs and STEM-based colleges and institutes. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Development, the Managing Director oversees a team of frontline fundraisers and manages a select major/principal-gift portfolio of 50–75 high-capacity prospects. The role supports fundraising strategy, drives campaign execution, and ensures strong alignment between academic priorities and donor interests. The Managing Director leads a unified frontline team to ensure consistent standards and coordinated strategies across units. The Managing Director partners closely with the planned giving team and plays a critical role in building and mentoring a next-generation frontline team during an upcoming hiring expansion. This position is pivotal to pipeline growth, portfolio performance, and the success of the university’s public-phase comprehensive campaign.

Key Responsibilities

1. Major Gift Fundraising & Portfolio Management
   Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects, with capacity of $100,000+.
   Conduct approximately 100 donor visits per year, including at least 20 formal solicitations (may include blended or planned gifts).
   Qualify prospective donors through discovery to assess philanthropic interest, capacity, and alignment with university priorities.
   Develop individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies aligned with academic unit priorities.
   Achieve annual revenue goals aligned with experience and unit priorities.
   Maintain strong stewardship practices and solicit annual leadership gifts from assigned prospects.
2. Prospect Strategy, Research, & Analytics
   Partner with leadership and Prospect Research & Management (PRM) for portfolio optimization and pipeline development.
   Participate in regular portfolio reviews.
   Prepare proposals, gift agreements, and donor correspondence in collaboration with Donor Relations and Gift Administration.
   Ensure timely and accurate documentation of all prospect activity in Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT; adhere to stage movement and data integrity standards.
   Prepare briefing materials for meetings involving deans, faculty, or university leadership.
   Participate in Advancement meetings, prospect strategy reviews, and professional development trainings.
3. Academic Partnerships
   Serve as key liaison for one or more academic units; align fundraising strategies with dean-defined priorities and program needs.
   Develop deep knowledge of university and unit priorities. Partner with faculty and program leaders and understand student success initiatives, to align donor interests with institutional needs.
   Represent Advancement at donor and university events as assigned.
   Contribute to special projects and cross-unit initiatives that advance institutional and campaign fundraising goals.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree.

Minimum of 5 years of fundraising (or closely related) experience with direct donor engagement and solicitation. (For Managing Director of Development role, 5 years experience managing frontline fundraisers with 10+ years experience in frontline fundraising preferred)

Demonstrated success closing major gifts.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced degree.

7+ years of frontline major gift experience. (For Managing Director role 10+ years plus experience managing school- or unit-based fundraising programs. Campaign experience preferred.)

Experience with STEM and/or professional school donors.

Strong communication and organizational skills.

Experience with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT.

Work Environment & Conditions

Periodic out-of-state travel.

Occasional evening or weekend work.

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