Director, Principal Gifts

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report.

Location

Olympia Center

Job Description

General Summary:        

As Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago prepares for its next fundraising campaign, we seek a skilled and strategic fundraising professional to lead principal gift prospecting and infrastructure development.  

Reporting to the SVP, Development & Campaign, the Director, Principal Gifts will be responsible for identifying new principal gift prospects, developing prospect strategies and securing philanthropic gifts of $10M+.  The role requires exceptional volunteer management skills and a demonstrated ability to lead collaboratively with volunteers, institutional leaders, physicians, and development staff. The Director must be highly motivated, entrepreneurial, and creative in developing new approaches to prospect engagement and stewardship.

Essential Job Functions:

• In partnership with Foundation colleagues, Board members and other volunteers, identify and qualify principal gift prospects with the ultimate goal of establishing a portfolio of qualified donors to manage.

• Prepare and implement strategies for qualification and assigned prospects, working independently and in collaboration with Board members and other key volunteers, physicians and Medical Center administrators.

• Solicit and close eight-figure+ gifts that reflect both the donor’s wishes and the Medical Center’s needs/aspirations.

• Maintain attention to detail as well as a grasp of big picture issues while advancing individual relationships along the continuum of donor activity.

• Partner with Foundation colleagues to generate written communication for assigned prospects, including writing and/or editing proposals and various types of correspondence that optimally and creatively present an appealing case for Lurie Children’s.

• Provide leadership, direction, motivation and mentorship as the principal gifts program is developed.

• Place a high priority on serving internal and external contacts in a timely, courteous manner; follow up until needs are met.

• Participate in activities that support the development profession, including speaking at conferences.

• Perform job functions adhering to service principles with focus of innovation, service excellence and teamwork to provide the highest quality care and service to our patients, families, co-workers and others.

• Other job functions as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university required; advanced degree or CFRE preferred.

• Ten+ years of progressive experience in a substantial institutional setting with experience in healthcare and/or academia is strongly preferred.

•  Experience with Raiser’s Edge, Blackbaud CRM or other fundraising databases preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to manage teams and/or significant bodies of work.

• A proven track record of successful principal gift solicitation with evidence of substantial fundraising accomplishments.

• Discretion with confidential materials required and demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a broad spectrum of people: staff, volunteers, physician leaders.

•  Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Proven ability to be solutions-focused, resourceful, opportunistic and entrepreneurial.

• Ability to work independently in a deadline-oriented team environment required.

• Ability to serve as a strong and effective advocate for prospective donors and the community; an organized, focused and goal-oriented personality coupled with a high level of initiative, energy, and capacity for work.

• Strong and effective management and coaching skills are necessary as is a willingness to coordinate and collaborate with the Foundation Senior Leadership team to meet agreed upon goals.

• Participate in the lif