TITLE: Director of Major Gifts & Planned Giving
DEPARTMENT: Development
REPORTS TO: Sr. Director, Individual Giving
STATUS: Full-time, Exempt
SALARY: $90,000+
 
POSITION OVERVIEW:   
The Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to secure major gifts ($10k up to $1M) from individual donors and reinvigorating planned giving to support the mission of Shedd Aquarium, ensuring the effective integration of major and planned gifts into the overall fundraising strategy. This position manages two staff. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.   

• Major Gifts Strategy & Fundraising 
  • Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts ($10,000 and above) from individuals, drawing from a prospect pool of donors over $2,500. 
  • Build and maintain relationships with major gift prospects and donors, ensuring ongoing engagement and communication. 
  • Work with senior leadership and volunteers to engage prospective major donors through personalized outreach and targeted fundraising campaigns. 
  • Lead the development and management of a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects. 
• Planned Giving Program Management 
  • Build a new planned giving program, including marketing, outreach, and donor stewardship activities. 
  • Develop and manage a pipeline of planned giving prospects, working to secure bequests, charitable gift annuities, and other deferred gifts. 
  • Educate donors on planned giving options, including tax benefits and legacy planning. 
  • Collaborate with Shedd’s financial advisors and attorneys to structure planned gifts effectively. 
• Donor Relations & Stewardship 
  • Create and implement stewardship plans for major and planned gift donors to ensure sustained engagement and cultivation of long-term relationships. 
  • Work with Events and Engagement team to coordinate donor recognition programs, including naming opportunities. 
  • Oversee the preparation of customized proposals, gift agreements, and other documentation to advance major and planned gifts. 
• Team Collaboration & Leadership 
  • Work with the development team to ensure alignment between major gifts, planned giving, and overall development goals. 
  • Provide training to development staff to cultivate a culture of planned giving fundraising across the organization. 
• Reporting & Analysis 
  • Work with colleagues in Development to monitor and report on the progress of major and planned giving initiatives, ensuring that fundraising goals are met. 
  • Analyze donor trends and provide regular feedback on program performance, making recommendations for improvements as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. 

• Proven track record of successfully securing major gifts and planned gifts from individual donors and family foundations. 
• In-depth knowledge of planned giving vehicles, tax laws, and charitable gift planning. 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships with high-net-worth individuals, key stakeholders, and internal teams. 
• A high degree of professionalism, confidentiality, and integrity. 
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously. 
• Proficiency in donor management software, Tessitura preferred. 

Education: 

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) required, legal experience, or a law degree a plus.  

Experience:   

• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising
• 5 years of experience focused on major gifts and/or planned giving. 

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Certification or training in charitable gift planning (e.g., CAP, CFP) is a plus. 
• Experience with legacy societies or building planned giving programs from the ground up. 
• Knowledge of donor stewardship best practices. 

 WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

• Flexibility to attend evening and weekend events as required. 
• Ability to lift 20 pounds, sit, stand, stoop, and walk. 
• Work environment may include exposure to water, heat, cold, and varying noise levels. 

BENEFITS WORKING AT SHEDD: We offer competitive compensation packages and opportunities for professional growth within our organization. 

• Medical Insurance, including FSA and HSA plan options
• Vision and Dental Insurance 
• Accrued Paid Time Off 
• Up to 12 Paid Holidays 
• Life Insurance 
• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• 401(k)
• Discounted Parking and Public Transit Subsidies
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Wellness program, including Preventive Care Incentive 
• Employee Discounts
• Employee Tickets 

Reasonable Accommodations: 
Shedd Aquarium is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the employment process, please email us at jobs@sheddaquarium.org. 

We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.