Director of Major Gifts, Special Projects

Position Title:

Director of Major Gifts, Special Projects

Time Type:

Full time

Position Summary and Qualifications:

Saint Joseph’s University is seeking a senior member of its Advancement Team – Director of Major Gifts for Special Projects. The successful candidate will join a dynamic team at an enterprising University. 

Founded in 1851, Saint Joseph’s University is a premier Catholic and Jesuit institution that prepares students for personal excellence, professional success and engaged citizenship. Saint Joseph’s is in the midst of dynamic change led by our president, Dr. Cheryl McConnell. Over the past 18 months, SJU has acquired two institutions [University of the Sciences and the PA College of Health Sciences] and as a result, the University has a major footprint in the Health Sciences, including Nursing. In addition, the University has made and will continue to make significant investments in campus facilities to enhance the student experience. As a result, SJU is viewed in the region as an innovator in higher education during a time of tremendous change. 

In 2021 the University entered the public phase of the largest fundraising campaign in its history: SOAR, The Campaign for Saint Joseph’s University. To date, the University has raised more than $225M toward the $300M goal. The Advancement program espouses a performance-based management approach that is built around achievement of team and individual goals, staff support and professional development, cutting edge technology, and collaboration. Successful individuals on our team are those who are goal oriented, open to new ideas, collaborative and relish meeting with alumni, donors and friends.

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The Director of Major Gifts for Special Projects is an integral member of the University Advancement team. The successful candidate will help create the vision and provide leadership for fundraising revenue generation efforts through primarily major gifts and estate gifts, but also annual giving. Accordingly the incumbent will be responsible for meeting the following annual goals:

Secure $1 million - $2 million in outright major gifts and/or new commitments; and open $2 million in gift conversations annually.
Secure 120 quality visits per year while completing 250 quality moves and qualifying 50 major gift prospects annually;
Develop strategies for each prospect in their portfolio based on the gift cycle; manage and update strategies and key next steps as necessary, utilizing the Donor Engagement Process (DEP) prospect management system.

This position will have the opportunity to grow philanthropic relationships and impact in three key areas: Saint Joseph’s University’s Lancaster Campus; the Center for Addiction and Recovery Education; and the Frances M. Maguire Art Museum.

The successful candidate will spend at least 3-5 days a month working at Saint Joseph’s University Lancaster location in collaboration with the Assistant Vice President of Government Relations to grow engagement with students, alumni, and community members in the region. The Lancaster Campus currently offers programs in nursing and allied health, and has a historic relationship with the community and the adjacent Lancaster General Hospital.

The Center for Addiction and Recovery Education (CARE) was formed to address one of the nation’s most pressing issues and confront the stigma of substance use disorder through a strategic four-part mission: educate healthcare providers and the community, conduct interdisciplinary research on addiction issues, advocate for effective public policy, and activate community engagement. The successful candidate will work with accomplished program managers including Sr. Mary Scullion, RSM, a nationally recognized leader in the service and support of the unhoused and marginalized. These working relationships will help to secure resources to further the mission of the Center.

The Frances M. Maguire Art Museum is located on the historic Barnes Arboretum property adjacent to Saint Joseph’s University Campus. The Maguire Museum celebrates the power of art to inspire imagination and curiosity and to cultivate critical thinking and dialogue. Reflecting Saint Joseph’s University’s mission, the museum fosters diversity, inclusivity, and social justice. Through exhibitions, educational programming and direct engagement with the museum’s permanent collections, the museum builds community among university students, employees, alumni and the general public.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Major Gifts, the candidate’s primary responsibility will be the identification, qualification, cultivation and solicitation of prospects that are rated up to and including $1M.

Note to Applicants: Please submit a cover letter and resume under the "Resume/CV" document upload field. Up to 5 attachments can be submi