Director, Major Gifts & Campaign Strategy

Lindenwood University; St. Charles (IL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid tuition benefits

Free lunch Fridays

Learning Academy professional growth

Comprehensive benefits program

Job summary

Lindenwood University seeks a Director of Development to secure private philanthropic support by aligning donor interests with institutional priorities. The role focuses on gifts of $25,000+ and emphasizes gifts of $100,000+, working across campus to grow the donor pipeline.

The successful candidate will collaborate with Advancement and Academic leadership, travel regionally for donor visits, and serve as a liaison to designated colleges and units.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of three years of experience soliciting major donors and gifts.
• Experience in a higher education environment preferred, including participation in campaigns or capital projects.
• Experience with Raiser's Edge preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manages a portfolio of major donor prospects capable of making gifts of $25,000 or more, with focus on qualification, cultivation, solicitation and gift closure.
• Coordinates with senior leadership and prospect researchers to develop strategies to meet annual and campaign fundraising goals.
• Meets with donors and prospects 25%–50% of the time through travel, on-campus visits, phone calls, and video conferences.
• Prepares donor proposals, reports and communications tailored to donor interests.
• Develops strategies for assigned units to increase major-gift support in partnership with leadership and other colleagues.

Skills

Donor solicitation

Major gifts

Relationship building

Travel readiness

Proposal writing

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Job description

Lindenwood University seeks a Director of Development to secure private philanthropic support by aligning donor interests with institutional priorities. The role focuses on gifts of $25,000+ and emphasizes gifts of $100,000+, working across campus to grow the donor pipeline.

The successful candidate will collaborate with Advancement and Academic leadership, travel regionally for donor visits, and serve as a liaison to designated colleges and units.