Principal Gifts Strategy & Case Development Director

Loyola University Chicago; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 78,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Loyola University Chicago seeks an Associate Director, Gift Strategy & Case Development to lead planning and execution for major philanthropic opportunities, focusing on gifts of $1 million and above. You will coordinate gift strategies, develop compelling fundraising cases, and guide donor engagement in partnership with university leaders.

Responsibilities include managing prospect strategy, preparing materials, and collaborating across departments to translate priorities into donor-centered

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in Advancement, Fundraising, Nonprofit Strategy, Donor Communications, Project Management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to develop Fundraising cases, proposals, and other communications for individuals, foundations, or corporations.
• Strong strategic thinking, writing, editing, and information-synthesis skills.
• Excellent Project-Management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, stakeholders, and confidential information.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Fundraisers, Senior Leaders, Academic Partners, and colleagues across a complex organization.

Responsibilities

• Support a disciplined strategy and planning process for principal and campaign-level prospects, establishing clear objectives, next steps, owners, and timelines.
• Track prospect activity and progress; maintain reports and dashboards; and identify opportunities requiring additional action.
• Prepare materials and facilitate follow-up for prospect strategy meetings, including background summaries, strategic questions, recommended next moves, and action items.
• Collaborate with relationship Managers, Donor Relations, Prospect Research, Academic Partners, and University Advancement Leadership to develop Donor-centered cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Partner with Fundraisers, Deans, and University leaders to translate institutional priorities into clear and compelling cases for philanthropic support with attached goals, budgets, project plans as necessary.
• Develop and edit Fundraising communications, including case statements, concept papers, proposals, and one-sheets, ensuring accuracy and alignment with Loyola’s mission, strategic priorities, and campaign objectives.
• Collaborate with events team to oversee the Fundraising aspects of two to four small, high-level Donor and Prospect engagement opportunities each year, coordinating audience strategy, briefing materials, leadership talking points, program flow, and follow-up.
• Identify University, civic, cultural, athletic, and business events that can be used strategically for Donor cultivation and stewardship.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Donor engagement

CRM systems

Project management platforms

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Ellucian Advance

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Loyola University Chicago seeks an Associate Director, Gift Strategy & Case Development to lead planning and execution for major philanthropic opportunities, focusing on gifts of $1 million and above. You will coordinate gift strategies, develop compelling fundraising cases, and guide donor engagement in partnership with university leaders.

Responsibilities include managing prospect strategy, preparing materials, and collaborating across departments to translate priorities into donor-centered