University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Based in Chicago IL with hybrid opportunities
The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement (OVCIA) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign seeks a full-time major gift officer to join a collaborative and successful regional team of fundraising professionals to secure private funding for the University. The Associate Director/Director of Advancement’s primary role is to build and sustain long-lasting relationships with alumni and friends that foster philanthropic engagement for the Urbana campus within the United States.
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a global, preeminent university, and since its founding in 1867, has earned a reputation as a world-class leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. In 2022, the University successfully completed its most ambitious philanthropic campaign, “With Illinois”, raising over $2.6B. But we will not stop there as we continue to demonstrate the tremendous impact of support for Illinois students, faculty, research, and infrastructure; and to continue to elevate the values that make Illinois distinctive: a sense of boundless aspiration, collaborative research, and global perspective while recognizing our generous philanthropic community of donors.
The Associate Director/Director of Advancement reports to the Senior Director of Advancement and will work closely with college-based chief advancement officers, major gift officers, department heads, and faculty.
The Associate Director/Director of Advancement will develop and build a portfolio of individuals with the inclination, affinity, and capacity to philanthropically invest in the Urbana campus in a defined territory within the United States with a focus on California as well as additional key states. This includes the qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major gift prospects and donors. This position will assist the colleges and their departments in designing strategies to broaden and strengthen the university’s philanthropic support in an assigned region. The Associate Director/Director of Advancement will be expected to represent the message and vision of the University of Illinois and its colleges and departments to alumni and friends. This position will require substantial travel of varying durations, up to 30-50%, including some evening and weekend obligations.
The Associate Director/Director of Advancement will be based at the Illini Center in Chicago or on the Urbana-Champaign campus, and will join a successful, dynamic team that enjoys a hybrid work schedule.
- Identify, assess, analyze, and design appropriate strategies for approaching prospects and donors, making the vitally important connection between donors’ philanthropic interests and the university’s strategic priorities. Plan and implement effective outreach and cultivation activities to enhance prospect identification and move solicitation and stewardship processes forward. Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major gift prospects, with an emphasis on gifts of $50,000 or more, determining the frequency of contact needed.
- Develop and maintain close collaborative partnerships with faculty and staff to gain a strong knowledge of the academic and research programs in order to identify and define priorities to be funded through private support. Partner closely with other advancement professionals, including gift officers and corporate relations professionals.
- Determine and prioritize lists of donor prospects, alumni, and other stakeholders to be contacted for personal visits.
- Prepare academic partners and volunteers to participate in cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major gifts as needed.
Impact in Your First Year
At Advancement at Illinois, we value our employees and provide resources to help you continually learn and grow. We foster a strong, collaborative community of people who are driven by their ability to make a difference.
Within 3 months, you will:
- Become familiar with the strategic vision of the university and priorities of colleges and units
- Meet your assigned Prospect Development Analyst and begin to develop aportfolio
- Attend professional development and networking activities for newcomers within Advancement
- Be introduced to fundraising fundamentals terminology adopted from Plus Delta Partners
Within 6 months, you will:
- Begin cultivating relationships with key prospects/donors/alumni in an effort to create and implement solicitation strategies
- Partner with stewardship and donor relations, events, alumni relations, and communications colleagues in colleges and units
- Be able to share multiple meaningful impact stories of transformative gifts
By the end of the first year, you will:
- Cooperatively set annual goals with your supervisor and portfolio management team
- Continue portfolio growth of qualified prospects and successful solicitation strategies
- Receive one-on-one coaching from Talent Management to help transition to your new role
- Build a robust network of colleagues across campus
- Bachelor’s degree
- For the title of Associate Director, a minimum of three years of successful advancement and portfolio management experience or more than six years of experience in a closely related field which requires strong relationship-building and outcome driven components. For the title of Director, a minimum of five years of successful advancement and portfolio management experience or ten years of experience in a closely related field which requires strong relationship-building and outcome driven components.
- Experience working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment
- Documented success as a major and/or principal gift fundraiser
- Experience working with academic leaders, faculty, and staff, and demonstrated experience in teaching and engaging them directly with prospects and donors.
- Basic knowledge of gift planning
- Understand major donor prospect qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, preferably in a higher education environment.
- A high degree of initiative and an ability to work independently.
- Strong relationship management skills.
- Well-versed in advancement strategies, including best practices related to development at institutions of higher education.
- Superb interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with others in a variety of ways.
- Superb time management and organizational skills.
- Data-driven and flawless attention to detail.
- Ability to represent an organization in one-on-one visits with key constituents.
This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience while also considering internal equity. The salary range for this position is $75,000-$85,000 for the Associate Director, and $85,000-$105,000 for the title of Director.
To ensure full consideration, application materials must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on July 20, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting and uploading a resume, cover letter, and the names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Amanda Wahba at [email protected] and/or visit our How To Apply site for application tips. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
Please note: This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.
At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.
Champaign-Urbana
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [email protected].
Requisition ID: 1036744
Job Category: Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu
