Summary
The University of Saint Mary of the Lake (USML) is the major seminary and graduate school of theology for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Mundelein Seminary is the most extensive priesthood preparation program in the United States, having graduated over 4,000 since 1926 and serving more than 30 dioceses in the United States and abroad. In addition to the formation of priests, USML’s School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization (SPLE) offers advance degrees and certificate programs to prepare Deacons and lay people for ministry and evangelization. USML is a hub for Conference Operations, serving over 30,000 participants annually.
The Major Gift Officer (MGO) and Director of Alumni Relations (DAR) is a key member of the Development team and works to support the relationship-centric organizational culture and strengthen long-term donor engagement, with a mindset of fostering “radical hospitality.” This role reports directly to the Vice President of Development.
The MGO/DAR is a strategic fundraising professional responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of 125-150 major gift prospects and donors in support of the mission and priorities of USML-Seminary. He/she will be responsible for leading strategy and implementation of an alumni engagement program that strengthens lifelong relationships, fosters philanthropic support, and deepens alumni connection in support of the mission and vision of USML, particularly among non-ordained alumni.
Essential Job Functions
- Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of approximately 125-150 major gift prospects donors with emphasis on gifts of $25,000 - $100,000+.
- Develop and implement individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for each prospect.
- Conduct regular face-to-face visits with donors and prospects, through phone and video calls, written correspondence, and in-person visits including local and regional travel as needed.
- Solicit and close major, leadership, and planned gifts in support of institutional priorities.
- Meet or exceed annual fundraising, visit, proposal, and pipeline development goals.
- ·Accurately input all donor portfolio activity/communications in the Raiser’s Edge database.
- Participate in prospect identification and moves management using development systems and analytics.
- Develop and personalize donor strategies and briefing/solicitation materials for direct asks and those led by senior staff and board members, including financials, targets, and dates.
- Partner with leadership to connect donor interests with mission-focused funding opportunities.
- Ensure exceptional stewardship of donors through impact reporting, recognition, and ongoing engagement.
Alumni Engagement and Program Development
- Primary responsibility for implementation of strategic plans focused on engagement and participation of alumni, with special attention to non-ordained alumni.
- Design, implement, and lead a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy that strengthens alumni affinity, participation, and philanthropic support, especially among non-ordained alumni from the Mundelein system (Quigley, St. Joseph), Institutes, and School of Parish Leadership & Evangelization.
- Build and manage an alumni engagement program including communications, events, volunteer opportunities, mentoring initiatives, reunions, and regional outreach.
- Develop meaningful opportunities for alumni to reconnect with USML through mission-focused programming (e.g., faith formation, networking, and service.)
- Establish and track metrics related to alumni engagement, participation, and giving.
- Identify, cultivate, and move engaged alumni through the donor pipeline toward major and planned giving opportunities.
- Identify and cultivate alumni prospects and donors for annual fund and major gift programs.
- Serve as main point of contact for USML alumni and work closely with Events Manager on events.
- Strengthen and promote a culture of lifelong alumni connection grounded in faith, vocation, and service.
Strategic Partnership
- Represent and articulate the Catholic identity, mission, and values of the university/seminary in donor and alumni engagement.
- Work collaboratively with USML leadership including President/Rector, Vice President for Development, board members, and key volunteers on prospect strategy and solicitations.
- Assist in developing fundraising priorities and case statements aligned with campaign and institutional goals.
- Provide staffing and support for Development and major events.
- Be a role model for integrity, fiscal responsibility, and ethical behavior/excellence.
- Actively engage and demonstrate support of the USML mission/values.
- Actively engage with colleagues to develop donor strategies.
- Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the University’s program, initiatives, and capital priorities to articulate to donors the organization’s mission and priority objectives.
Ancillary Job Functions
- Takes initiative to improve both processes and outcomes, incorporating best practices and innovations.
- Ensures compliance with all university policies and standards.
- Compellingly communicates to colleagues, volunteers, and the USML community the critical role they play in achieving the university’s mission and strategic goals.
- Pro-actively monitors and adjusts activities to respond to changing circumstances and priorities.
- Facilitates organizational change initiatives; leads and supports staff in adapting to a rapidly changing technology environment.
- Facilitates development and achievement of professional and personal goals, for self and staff.
- Models our values of service, innovation, and teamwork.
- Fosters a challenging and compassionate work environment, recognizing strong performance, and listening and acting on feedback.
- Other duties as assigned.
Success in this role will be measured through:
- Annual major gift revenue secured
- Donor visit and solicitation goals achieved
- Growth and movement of prospect pipeline
- Alumni engagement participation and giving metrics
Education and Experience – An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university required; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum ten (10) years of direct successful experience as major gift officer.
- Experience in alumni relations and alumni engagement.
- Demonstrated success as an MGO with responsibility for a portfolio of at least $1M in annual/planned to give and demonstrated success securing major gifts, including six (6) and seven (7) figure commitments.
- Alum of the “Mundelein family” (i.e., Quigley, St. Joseph (Niles), USML) preferred
- Experience in Catholic philanthropy, university advancement (higher education), and/or faith-based philanthropy, and not-for-profit.
- Working knowledge of CRM software with a preference for direct experience with Raiser’s Edge or other fundraising software, required.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Applications including Outlook, Excel (V-Lookup/Formulas), PowerPoint, and other Web-based applications, required.
- Experienced managing vendor relationships.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities which may be representative, but not all-inclusive of those associated with this position.
- Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, and electronic) to wide range of audiences with concise and persuasive manner and demonstrate best practices in relationship-based donor communications.
- Must articulate mission with conviction and credibility.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to build long-term revenue generating relationships based on earned trust and demonstrated accountability.
- Ability to work collaboratively and strategically across constituencies, including priests, Catholic Church hierarchy (e.g., bishops) and religious and others working within the Catholic apostolate sector.
- Commitment to and appreciation for the mission and values of USML, and its role in supporting the future of the Catholic Church in dioceses across the United States and abroad.
- Knowledge of alumni relations best practices and engagement strategy.
- Demonstrates initiative, creativity, and results-oriented accountability.
- Respects donor confidentiality and handles sensitive information with discretion.
- Experience working with moves management model of fundraising.
- Positive attitude, not easily discouraged, open to alternative views, accepting of coaching/peer input, and works well under pressure.
- Excellent time management, ability to handle multiple priorities, project management, meet deadlines, and work quickly without sacrificing quality.
- Maintain a visible, positive presence, ethical, and highly professional.
- Can troubleshoot all job processes, manage timelines and deliverables, anticipate issues, and effectively multitask.
- Trusted to meet deadlines, produce accurate work consistently, and follow through all tasks to completion.
- Strong team player who works in a coordinated effort with other members of the team to achieve overreaching goals.
- Demonstrated knowledge of sound and ethical fundraising principles.
- Good judgement and problem solving.
- Donor-centric focus.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $85,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Ability to Commute:
- Mundelein, IL 60060 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Mundelein, IL 60060: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
