Department: Alumni Relations & Development
Salary/Grade: EXS/14
Please note: The target budgeted salary for this position is $180,000 - $200,000 annually. Offers will be based on candidate experience and education, as well as equity within Northwestern University.
Job Summary
This position reports to the Executive Director of the West Coast Regional Office and is based in the San Francisco office. The Director of Major Gifts is responsible for managing a significant major and/or principal gift donor portfolio consisting of alumni, friends, and parents in the Bay Area. The Director will manage processes and prospects by building a balanced portfolio through qualifying visits, cultivating prospects, making solicitations that align with prospects' interests and financial capacity, securing commitments, and stewarding current donors. This position collaborates with colleagues across Alumni Relations and Development in Evanston and Chicago as well as with deans, faculty, program directors, and other University leaders to prepare them for prospect meetings and form a plan of solicitation of donors that includes coordinating with other development staff to align prospect passion, financial capacity, giving vehicle and/or identify stewardship opportunities for major donors. The Director will serve as the designated Geo Captain for the Bay Area with the goal of strengthening alumni engagement and improving fundraising outcomes in tandem with the Integrated Regional Strategy. It includes management responsibilities of the Program Coordinator. Travel is required to Evanston three times a year.
Please note: This position is in San Francisco and is hybrid. Our office operates in a hybrid model and offers the option of working three days in the office and two days remote. There will be occasional work outside of standard business hours for donor engagement events.
For full consideration, please submit a cover letter and resume.
Strategic Planning
- Creates and leads a coordinated program of fundraising activities designed to increase the number and level of major and/or principal gifts donors.
- Develops and executes strategies to involve campus leaders, alumni, friends, and volunteers to identify and cultivate new individual, corporate, institutional and/or foundation prospects.
- Gathers data, assesses leads, and develops strategies designed to realize the current and lifetime giving potential of individual prospects.
- Maintains consistent and appropriate contact.
- Facilitates or makes solicitations.
- Closes major ($250K to $5M) and principal gifts ($5M+) for the University.
- Ensures effective stewardship.
- Serves as Geo Captain for the Bay Area market with the goal of planning the calendar, coordinating all functions and being accountable for outcomes in the region.
Collaboration
- Reviews and proposes strategic alliances, joint ventures and key collaborations with department and other University partners to identify opportunities to integrate University strategic plan goals.
- Manages and coaches team members regarding department collaborations.
- Key partnerships and work involved includes:
- Schools and Programs
- Gift planning
- Northwestern Alumni Association (NAA)
- Northwestern University Leadership Circle (NULC)
- Professional schools (Kellogg, Pritzker Law, and Feinberg)
Prospects and Gifts
Volunteers
- Interact with volunteers on the West Coast; attend meetings and utilize volunteer help as needed.
Events
Administration
- Ensures compliance with prospect management guidelines for tracking and maintenance of contact and progress reporting.
- Coordinates appointments and prepares materials used by senior management, Board and 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.
- Writes correspondence and proposals to prospective donors.
- Prepares contact reports on meetings and interactions with alumni.
- Updates and maintains prospect management information in the donor database.
- Tracks and manages the prospective donor pool to develop reports and monitor program results.
Supervisory
- Supervises 1 staff member &/or provides work direction to others.
Other
- Completes 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.
- 10 years development, marketing, sales or the equivalent experience is required.
Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)
- Regional Fundraising Strategy & Portfolio Leadership
- Develops and executes a regional fundraising strategy while managing a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects.
- Principal Gift Strategy & Judgment
- Evaluates complex donor situations and develops strategies to secure transformational gifts aligned with institutional priorities.
- Cross-Campus Influence & Partnership
- Builds strong partnerships with deans, faculty, and university leadership to advance fundraising priorities and coordinate donor strategies.
- People Leadership or Staff Development
- Leads, coaches, and develops staff to achieve ambitious fundraising goals.
- Resilience & Adaptability
- Maintains momentum and strategic focus while navigating complex donor relationships and evolving priorities
- Regional Prospect Strategy & Pipeline Growth
- Expands the regional donor pipeline by identifying new prospects, uncovering networks, and developing strategies to cultivate high-capacity donors.
Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)
- Demonstrated experience securing major gifts at the $1M+ level within higher education, healthcare, or other complex nonprofit organizations.
- Experience developing regional fundraising strategies and managing portfolios that include principal gift prospects.
- Experience working with high-level volunteers, boards, or campaign leadership groups to advance fundraising initiatives.
- Experience collaborating with senior institutional leaders (deans, faculty, executives) in donor cultivation and solicitation strategies.
- Experience supervising and developing fundraising staff or project teams.
Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)
Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, 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 University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.
Northwestern University
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Oct 12, 2026