Senior Major Gift Officer

Job Description

Senior Major Gift Officer
Frontline Fundraising Role Supporting Mission & Advancement Vision

MISSION AND PURPOSE
The mission of St. John's Catholic Newman Center is to equip college students for a lifelong connection with Christ and His Church through the sacraments and a vibrant, inviting community.

The Senior Major Gift Officer plays a critical role in advancing this mission by cultivating meaningful relationships with benefactors and securing major philanthropic support including annual, capital, and endowment initiatives. Through thoughtful donor engagement and faithful stewardship, this role helps sustain and strengthen the spiritual, pastoral, and formative life of the Catholic Student Center-ensuring the resources necessary to support students today and invest in the Center's long-term mission and facilities.

SUMMARY OF POSITION
The Senior Major Gift Officer is a frontline fundraising professional responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift donors in support of St. John's Catholic Newman Center. Reporting to the Head Chaplain and working closely with the advancement team, this role advances the Center's mission by building strong donor relationships grounded in shared faith and commitment to Catholic campus ministry. The Senior Major Gift Officer manages a portfolio of major and leadership-level donors, executes personalized engagement strategies aligned with institutional priorities, and collaborates with the fund development team and Newman Center staff to advance a coordinated, donor-centered effort that secures the resources needed to support students and sustain the Center's mission for generations.

POSITION STATUS: Full-Time, with travel

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree or higher, or equivalent professional experience, required
Demonstrated passion, enthusiasm, and commitment to and affinity for the mission of Catholic campus ministry, with the ability to articulate that mission compellingly to donors
Prior fund development experience required, with demonstrated success in major gift fundraising and/or capital campaigns, preferably within a nonprofit, faith-based, or mission-driven organization
Working knowledge of major gifts fundraising principles, donor engagement strategies, and stewardship best practices
A valid and current driver's license
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Strong relationship-building skills combined with a high level of professionalism, discretion, and integrity when engaging benefactors and managing confidential information
Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to manage a donor portfolio, track activity, and follow through on cultivation and solicitation plans
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team-based advancement and ministry environment, including coordination with external consultants and partners as appropriate
Proven ability to integrate fundraising strategies and drive overall growth in philanthropic support
Proficiency with donor CRM systems and fundraising databases (e.g., Bloomerang, Raiser's Edge, or similar platforms), including accurate data entry, reporting, and pipeline management
Comfort using standard productivity tools and technology to support donor communication, scheduling, and reporting
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Manage an assigned portfolio of major and leadership-level donors and prospects, leading all aspects of the major gifts process including research, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and donor upgrades
Conduct regular donor meetings, campus visits, and mission-focused conversations to deepen relationships and inspire philanthropic support
Strategically utilize special events as donor cultivation and fundraising mechanisms, supporting benefactor engagement, relationship building, and philanthropic investment through events such as dinners, receptions, golf tournaments, tailgates, and national ministry conferences
Accurately record donor interactions, proposals, and outcomes in the designated CRM system, ensuring timely follow-up and data integrity
Partner with advancement colleagues and Newman Center staff to coordinate donor communications, recognition, events, and stewardship activities
Support capital, endowment, and special fundraising initiatives as assigned, including participation in campaign-related donor outreach and engagement efforts
Collaborate closely with the Head Chaplain, development team and external consultants, as appropriate, to align donor engagement strategies and solicitation plans with the Center's mission, strategic priorities, and advancement goals
Represent St. John's Catholic Newman Center with professionalism, warmth, and fidelity to mission in all donor and community interactions
Perform additional duties as assigned in support of the advancement program

PHYSICAL & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to manage a flexible work schedule that includes occasional evening or weekend donor meetings and events
Ability to travel locally, regionally, and nationally for donor visits and cultivation activities
Ability to maintain reliable transportation
Ability to lift or move materials weighing up to 25 pounds as needed
MEASURES OF SUCCESS
Success in this role will be demonstrated by consistent donor engagement activity, growth in major gift revenue, progress toward assigned portfolio goals, effective stewardship and donor retention, timely and accurate CRM reporting, and strong collaboration with the Advancement team, Head Chaplain, and broader Newman Center staff.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The anticipated salary range for this position is $90,000-$100,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. A comprehensive benefits package is provided. Salary flexibility may be considered for candidates with significant capital campaign and major gifts leadership experience. Relocation assistance and professional development support may be available.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
St. John's Catholic Newman Center is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity laws and guidelines.

About the Employer

St. John's Catholic Newman Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign exists to equip college students for sustaining a lifelong connection to Christ and His Church, through the sacraments and a vibrant, inviting community. As one of the largest and most active Newman Centers in the nation, St. John's Catholic Newman Center is comprised of St. John's Chapel and Newman Hall, a 586-bed private certified student housing facility.