Senior Associate Director, Major Gifts

Department: Alumni Relations & Development
Salary/Grade: EXS/12

Target hiring range for this position will be between $110,260 - $115,000 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 Sr. Director of Major Gifts, this position will manage a significant portfolio of major gift donors which includes individual, corporate, institutional and/or foundation prospects. Will collaborate with deans, faculty, and development colleagues to identify and research prospective donors, and to develop comprehensive solicitation strategies that align donor interests, financial capacity, and preferred giving vehicles while identifying meaningful stewardship opportunities for major donors.

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.

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.
• Closes major gifts for the University ($100K+).
• Ensures effective stewardship.

Collaboration

• Involves high level of collaboration with both internal department and broader University partners to identify common goals & develop & execute strategies to increase integration.

Please bullet examples of key partnerships and work involved below:

• Schools and Programs
• Gift planning
• Northwestern Alumni Association (NAA)
• Northwestern University Leadership Circle (NULC)
• Professional schools (Kellogg, Pritzker Law, and Feinberg)

Prospects & Gifts

• Builds a portfolio through discovery and qualification of approximately 40+ prospects annually in the region they are assigned to.
• Identifies, researches, cultivates and personally solicits major gifts of $100K to $5M.
• Requires travel throughout the region or country. Twelve trips annually.
• Partners with other areas of development, specifically Annual & Planned Giving to coordinate contacts.
• Researches & develops prospects including up-to-date knowledge on assigned groups & works with other areas of development to coordinate contacts.

Events

• Will work on boutique events in their various regions in collaboration with the NU Club, NAA or other partners at ARD
• Administration
• Writes correspondence and drafts proposals to prospective donors.
• Prepares contact reports on meetings and interactions with alumni.
• Updates and maintains prospect management information in the donor database.
• Tracks and manages the prospective donor pool to develop reports and monitor program results.

Supervisory

• Provides training to staff within or outside of immediate dept or division in regard to function.
• Works closely with the Program Assistant on the major gifts team, providing guidance and mentorship without direct supervisory responsibility

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 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.

• 6 years development, marketing, sales or the equivalent experience is required.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Team Leadership - Inspires, guides, and develops team members to achieve ambitious fundraising goals while fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability.

• Curiosity and Analytical Thinking - Demonstrates intellectual curiosity and applies data-driven analysis to identify donor trends, uncover opportunities, and inform strategic decisions.

• Global/Organizational Perspective - Maintains a broad understanding of institutional priorities and global context, ensuring gift strategies align with organizational mission and long-term objectives.

• Complex Problem Solving - Navigates multifaceted challenges with creativity and sound judgment, delivering innovative solutions that balance donor interests and organizational needs.

• Ability to Work in a Fast-Paced Environment - Thrives under pressure, adapts quickly to changing circumstances, and consistently delivers high-quality results within tight timelines.

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://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.