Director of Major Gifts

About the Role

Lead major gift strategy within a nationally recognized academic health system.

The Director, Major Gifts serves as a senior representative of Loyola Medicine, cultivating relationships with community leaders and philanthropists capable of gifts of $100,000 or more. This role partners with physicians, executives, board members, donors, and other key connectors to identify, engage, and advance major gift prospects through the grateful patient and relationship development process. As relationship manager for assigned prospects, the Director plans and participates in major gift solicitations and manages donor progression within a collaborative, team-based approach.

Responsibilities

• Manages a portfolio of prospective donors capable of gifts of $100,000 and advances relationships through the major gift development process using a team-based approach.
• Partners with physician connectors and leverages the grateful patient process to identify, qualify, and cultivate high‑capacity major gift prospects.
• Engages physicians, senior leaders, board members, and community partners as referral sources; attends events and meetings to identify and develop donor relationships.
• Develops and executes individualized donor strategies based on giving history, capacity, and alignment with Loyola Medicine’s priorities, in collaboration with philanthropy and clinical partners.
• Documents donor strategies and interactions accurately and timely in the CRM.
• Collaborates with clinical, administrative, and philanthropy teams to develop compelling proposals and secure major gifts aligned with organizational priorities.
• Ensures appropriate donor recognition, stewardship, and ongoing engagement.
• Performs other related major gift activities as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; CFRE or relevant master’s degree preferred.
• Seven or more years of direct fundraising or related experience (health care or academic medical center preferred).
• Proven success closing major gifts of $100,000 .
• Experience with increasing responsibility in a complex organizational environment.

Required Skills

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to navigate complex institutional environments with diplomacy and discretion.
• Genuine commitment to the organization’s mission of patient care, education, and research.
• Comfortable engaging with physicians, nurses, donors, patients, and administrators.
• Team‑, service‑, and solutions‑oriented mindset.
• Strong critical thinker with the ability to analyze, synthesize, and apply information quickly.
• Sincere interest in and enjoyment of working with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Self‑starter who takes initiative and balances flexibility with results‑driven execution.
• Unquestioned integrity, professionalism, and credibility.

Preferred Skills

• Interest in and understanding of fundraising and philanthropy.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects with overlapping deadlines.
• Exceptional project management, organization, and attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, CRM systems, and prospect research tools.

Pay range and compensation package

Pay range: $96,782- $159,702 Annualized. Actual compensation will fall within the range but may vary based on factors such as experience, qualifications, education, location, licensure, certification requirements, and comparisons to colleagues in similar roles. Annual Bonus: Eligible for incentive compensation annual target as outlined in Plan Document. Per the Plan Document, Loyola Medicine reserves the right to amend, modify, suspend, or terminate the Plan in whole or in part at any time and for any reason. Trinity Health Benefits Summary

Equal Opportunity Statement

Applicants for this position must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor an employment visa for this position.