Senior Gifts Officer- Major Gifts

Posted:
3/2/2026, 10:49:32 AM

Location(s):
Chicago, Illinois, United States ⋅ Illinois, United States

Experience Level(s):
Senior

Field(s):
Sales & Account Management

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report.

Location

Olympia Center

Job Description

The Senior Gifts Officer will be a strategic thinker who demonstrates curiosity, a passion for pediatric healthcare, and a commitment to best practices in the development profession.  S/he will be engaging and self-motivated with a proven ability to use metrics to develop strategies, drive decisions and achieve goals.

The Major Gifts Department is comprised of personnel who are devoted to identifying, qualifying, cultivating and soliciting prospects and developing and advancing strategies to bring them through the donor lifecycle.  A Senior  Gifts Officer will maintain a portfolio of approximately 100 prospects and his/her work can result in millions of charitable dollars. In addition to the revenue, the Senior Gifts Officer fulfills an important, externally-oriented role, representing the institution to high level individuals, including members of the Board of Directors, physicians, and donors. There is also the expectation that the Senior  Gifts Officer will play a leadership role at the Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation, helping in strategically advancing the major gifts component of the overall development program, and mentoring other members of the major gifts staff.

Essential Job Functions:

  • Tracks and manages information and strategies pertaining to his/her major gift portfolio, including timely and accurate documentation of conversations and contacts with donors, volunteers, Board members, physicians and senior hospital management.
  • Identifies major and principal gift prospects. Manages a portfolio of approximately 100 major and principal gift prospects, primarily comprised of individuals and/or family foundations, where the target gift is $100,000 or above.
  • Prepares and implements solicitation strategies for assigned prospects, working independently and in collaboration with Board members and other key volunteers, physicians and Medical Center administration. 
  • Serves as the primary Foundation liaison between assigned prospects and other individuals who are key to the prospect relationship; manage as much of the institutional communication with the prospect as possible, and maintain regular and tactical contact with prospects. 
  • Closes six- and seven-figure gifts that reflect both the donor’s wishes and the Medical Center’s needs. 
  • Serve as a liaison to priority division(s) of the Medical Center, collaborating with physician and clinical leaders to develop compelling cases for support tied to strategic initiatives, capital projects, and research priorities. Model case work to additional members of the Foundation team.
  • Maintains attention to detail as well as a grasp of big picture issues, while advancing individual relationships along the continuum of donor activity. Works directly with a major constituency (Board, Women’s Board, MRIC, etc.).
  • Generates written communication for assigned prospects, including writing and/or editing proposals and various types of correspondence that optimally and creatively present an appealing case for Lurie Children’s Hospital.
  • Develops and maintains effective working relationships with key volunteers, prospects and donors; identify or create meaningful organizational volunteer opportunities for major gift donors and prospects.
  • Places a high priority on serving internal and external contacts in a timely, courteous manner; follow up until needs are met.
  • Helps to strengthen the skills and professional development of major gifts officers. Manages one or more focused fundraising initiative. Prepares income reports and projections on a regular basis.
  • Participates in activities that support the development profession, including speaking at conferences and helping to plan them.
  • Performs job functions adhering to service principles with customer service focus of innovation, service excellence and teamwork to provide the highest quality care and service to our patients, families, co-workers and others.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university required. 
  • A minimum of six years of fundraising experience required. 
  • Candidates should have a successful track record of securing major gifts.

Education

Bachelor's Degree (Required)

Pay Range

$83,200.00-$137,280.00 Salary

At Lurie Children’s, we are committed to competitive and fair compensation aligned with market rates and internal equity, reflecting individual contributions, experience, and expertise. The pay range for this job indicates minimum and maximum targets for the position. Ranges are regularly reviewed to stay aligned with market conditions. In addition to base salary, Lurie Children’s offer a comprehensive rewards package that may include differentials for some hourly employees, leadership incentives for select roles, health and retirement benefits, and wellbeing programs. For more details on other compensation, consult your recruiter or click the following link to learn more about our benefits.

Benefit Statement

For full time and part time employees who work 20 or more hours per week we offer a generous benefits package that includes:

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Employer paid group term life and disability

Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave

403(b) with a 5% employer match

Various voluntary benefits:

  • Supplemental Life, AD&D and Disability

  • Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage

  • Tuition assistance

  • Student loan servicing and support

  • Adoption benefits

  • Backup Childcare and Eldercare

  • Employee Assistance Program, and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members

  • Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities

  • Discount purchasing program

There’s a Place for You with Us

At Lurie Children’s, we embrace and celebrate building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints — recognizing that different life experiences strengthen our workplace and the care we provide to the Chicago community and beyond. We treat everyone fairly, appreciate differences, and make meaningful connections that foster belonging. This is a place where you can be your best, so we can give our best to the patients and families who trust us with their care.  

 

Lurie Children’s and its affiliates are equal employment opportunity employers.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, order of protection status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Support email: [email protected]