Major Gifts Officer

Overview

DEAN MED-DEVELOPMENT (IN-DMDV-IUINA). Indiana University (IU) School of Medicine is a national leader in medical research and education. With more than 60 academic departments and specialty divisions across 9 campuses statewide and strong clinical partnerships with Indiana's most advanced hospitals and physician networks, the school is advancing its mission to prepare healers and transform health in Indiana and throughout the world.

The Office of Gift Development exists to secure philanthropic support necessary for the IU School of Medicine to excel in its mission. We create meaningful opportunities for alumni, grateful patients, corporations, foundations and friends to alleviate suffering and expand knowledge through their giving. Through donor partnerships, we move closer to the shared goal of improving the human condition.

The Senior Director of Development serves as a key frontline fundraiser for the IU School of Medicine Office of Gift Development and Alumni Relations. This role is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major, planned, and principal gift donors in support of the School’s mission and philanthropic priorities. The position requires strategic insight, significant autonomy, and the ability to build strong, mission-centered donor relationships across a national donor base.

• Department-Specific Responsibilities
• Serve as the primary strategist and major gift fundraiser for the Department of Surgery.
• Partner with the Department Chair and faculty leadership to ensure alignment between fundraising priorities and departmental goals.
• Assist the department chair in meeting annual fundraising metrics and ensuring that departmental philanthropy is integrated within the broader School’s fundraising strategy.
• Develop and execute targeted campaigns, donor engagement events, and communications focused on the Department of Surgery.
• Provide data-driven insights, reports, and recommendations that strengthen departmental philanthropic outcomes.
• Manage major, planned, and principal gifts:
• Build and manage a personal portfolio of major gift prospects, focusing on gifts of $100,000 and above.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major, planned, and principal gift donors, with emphasis on gifts in the $250,000 – $1,000,000 range.
• Prepare compelling proposals, briefings, and donor communications that articulate institutional priorities, impact, and philanthropic opportunities.
• Travel nationally to meet with alumni, grateful patients, and other donors.

• Engage in efforts related to strategy, goal setting, and reporting:
• Actively build and maintain a personal portfolio using available data, IU Foundation prospect research team, personal visits, and travel.
• Takes ownership for the portfolio.
• Regularly report fundraising progress to leadership and contribute to strategy-setting discussions.
• Use CRM and analytics tools (e.g., Crimson, Cream, FEM, Tableau) to support donor strategy and reporting.

• Oversee collaboration and donor experience:
• Work closely with faculty, administrators, unit partners, and School leadership to align philanthropic opportunities with institutional needs.
• Provide an exceptional donor experience built on personalized service, inclusive communication, and mission-centered relationships.
• Contribute to campaign development, impact reporting, stewardship planning, and the creation of donor engagement materials.
• Participate in School- and IU Foundation-wide committees, strategy groups, and initiatives related to major gift development.

• Oversee special projects and provide leadership:
• Tackle complex projects such as re-engaging lapsed donors, developing targeted donor events, or advancing strategic initiatives that require cross-functional collaboration.
• Serve as a resource and thought partner to colleagues, contributing to a culture that values transparency, shared success, and continuous improvement.

• Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

• Education
• Bachelor’…