Career Center

Department: Alumni Relations & Development
Salary/Grade: EXS/14

Please note: The target budgeted salary for this position is $125,000 - $140,000 annually. Offers will be based on candidate experience and education, as well as equity within Northwestern University.

*Please also submit a cover letter for full consideration

About Alumni Relations and Development

Alumni Relations and Development appreciates that the collective sum of our individual differences, experiences, knowledge, and self-expression is crucial for our success. We strongly invite candidates of all backgrounds to apply and to participate fully and authentically in our workplace.

We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet 100% of the preferred qualifications.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Alumni Relations and Development is committed to genuine inclusion. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Elizabeth Frisch at [email protected] Consistent with its obligations under the law, Northwestern will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential job responsibilities.

Job Summary:

Extraordinary opportunity to help advance one of the top journalism and integrated marketing communications schools in the nation. The Director of Development for the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications manages the overall fundraising efforts for the School and partners with the dean to develop philanthropic and fundraising strategies to prepare the dean, faculty, and University administrators for prospect meetings and solicitation. 

Senior fundraising position with management responsibilities.  Designs and implements innovative programs to identify prospective major and/or principal gift donors. Devises and executes plans to qualify, cultivate, steward and solicit donors to the School. Builds and adapts programs to a point of sustainability.  Collaborates with various teams within Alumni Relations and Development to ensure an emerging prospect pool and successful donor cultivation and stewardship.  Provides strategic direction and volunteer management for the Medill Board of Advisors.  Collaborates with Medill’s alumni relations and marketing teams on donor engagement efforts.

The successful candidate must have a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. 

Please note: Frequent travel is required.

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Creates & leads a coordinated program of fundraising activities designed to increase the number and level of major &/or principal gifts donors.
• Develops & executes strategies to involve campus leaders, alumni, friends, & volunteers to identify and cultivate new individual, corporate, institutional &/or foundation prospects. 

Collaboration

• Reviews & proposes strategic alliances, joint ventures & key collaborations with department and other University partners to identify opportunities to integrate University strategic plan goals. 
• Oversees and coaches team members regarding department collaborations.
• Key Partnerships include:
  • Central Major Gifts
  • Annual Giving
  • Gift Planning
  • Medill Alumni Relations
  • Medill Marketing

Prospects and Gifts

• Manages staff, provides leadership, determines & evaluates individual goals, develops & implements training & mentoring, & assigns & monitors coverage of primary areas of focus ensuring that goals & objectives are attained. 
• Identifies and personally solicits high-profile, &/or extremely complex major gifts of $100,000+ from prospects annually. 
• Oversees continuous research, development & up-to-date knowledge on prospects & works with other areas to coordinate contacts. 
• Requires travel throughout the region or country.

Events

• Oversees development and management of events and programs designed to expand constituent participation. 
• Reviews and approves event plans and summaries ensuring that overall goals and objectives are attained. 
• Works directly with high-level volunteers and donors to ensure that event objectives are met.

Administration

• Oversees administration of school development operations. 
• Ensures compliance with prospect management guidelines for tracking & maintenance of contact & progress reporting. 
• Coordinates appointments and prepares materials used by senior management, Board & volunteers for meetings, visits, events or phone calls made to high-profile prospects. 
• Oversees administrative support management to ensure effective team success and daily operations.

Budget

• Strategically manages a department budget ensuring to minimize expenses while maximizing return.

Supervisory

• Supervises a frontline fundraiser and program assistant.
• Provides training to staff within or outside of immediate dept or division in regard to function.
• Leads, coaches and evaluates performance of direct reports.

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.   
• 8 years operations, administration, development, or the equivalent experience is required. 

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

• team leadership; curiosity and analytical thinking, global/organizational perspective; complex problem solving; ability to work in fast-paced environment); attention to detail; initiative; commitment to excellence

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ideal candidate will have a demonstrated knowledge, work experience, and genuine appreciation for journalism, media, communications and/or related fields.

• Experience in positions of increasing responsibility in academic fundraising at a college or university with a comprehensive development program; comprehensive campaign experience at a multi-faceted institution is a plus.
• Preference for candidates with strong financial literacy

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Demonstrated leadership ability to develop strategic plans, implement programs, organize, initiate, and motivate.
• Strong management skills and ability to lead a team of individuals towards a common goal.
• Sound organizational ability, a high degree of energy creativity and initiative; the ability to project the unique aims and values of Northwestern to its donors and alumni.
• Proven success in gift closure at the six-and seven-figure level
• Excellent communications skills, coupled with strong writing and presentation skills, as well as the ability to present before a group.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a team environment. 
• Discretion and an ability to interact with high-level donors. 
• Comfort with personal computers and software programs.

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 strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.
  

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About Northwestern University

Northwestern University is a major private research university with 12 academic divisions located on three campuses in Evanston, Chicago, and Education City in Doha, Qatar. We have approximately 2,500 full-time faculty members, 17,000 graduate and undergraduate students, and over 5,700 full and part-time staff. Northwestern University combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment. It provides students and faculty exceptional opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional growth.

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