Sr. Major Gift Officer​/Director of Alumni Relations

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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…