Director Regional Development

Saint Mary’s College is seeking a Regional Development Director to build meaningful, long-term relationships between benefactors and the College within a designated region of the United States. This position will support the strategic goals of Saint Mary’s to empower, enrich, and advance women in all stages of life through the power of philanthropy.

As the only women’s college in Indiana and one of fewer than 30 women’s colleges in the country, Saint Mary’s offers a distinctive educational experience that combines a liberal arts education with graduate studies and research opportunities. The College prepares women for leadership in their careers and communities while fostering a campus experience rooted in faith, belonging, and purpose.

Saint Mary’s is experiencing significant momentum through the Ring Out Ring True $200 million comprehensive campaign, centered on three enduring commitments: Empowering Leaders, Enriching Our Community, and Enhancing Our College. The Regional Development Director will play an important role in advancing these priorities through strategic philanthropy and donor engagement.

The Regional Development Director will work closely with academic leaders and Development colleagues to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership-level philanthropic gifts of $25,000 or more. This position is remote, with a preference for candidates residing in the greater Chicagoland area or Michigan.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Five or more years of fundraising experience with demonstrated success cultivating and soliciting gifts of $100,000 or more; or a proven track record of building relationships and closing complex, high-value agreements with decision-makers.
• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational, time management, and prioritization skills, with experience managing complex projects from concept through execution.
• Excellent critical listening and relationship-building skills.
• Proven ability to establish priorities and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Strong work ethic and a demonstrated record of achieving professional goals.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Experience using a Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) system to manage donor relationships and workflow.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated success as a major gifts' fundraiser, preferably within higher education.
• Basic understanding of relevant tax and estate law and planned giving mechanisms.
• Experience promoting or supporting gift planning initiatives.
• Ability to live within a 3–4-hour driving distance of Saint Mary’s College.
• Preference for candidates residing in the greater Chicagoland area or Michigan.

Job Responsibilities

• Implement the College’s fundraising strategy focused on the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of gifts of $25,000 or more.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 150 high-level prospects and establish and achieve annual giving and major gift objectives.
• Develop and implement donor-centered philanthropic engagement plans that connect donors’ interests with the priorities and strategic needs of Saint Mary’s College.
• Build and maintain significant, long-term relationships with current and prospective benefactors whose philanthropic support is essential to advancing the College’s strategic priorities.
• Cultivate and solicit leadership-level gifts of $25,000 or more, including demonstrated success in securing gifts of $100,000 or more.
• Partner with academic leaders, Development colleagues, volunteers, and other College representatives to engage key prospects and donors.
• Promote the College’s gift planning program and identify opportunities for planned gifts.
• Prepare and edit written materials for prospective donors, the President, volunteers, and other key stakeholders to support high-level donor engagement.
• Travel extensively, up to 50%, within the assigned region and nationally as needed to cultivate and strengthen donor relationships.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of donor interactions, strategies, solicitations, and follow-up activities within the College’s CRM system.
• Work in partnership with the Executive Director of Regional Development and Gift Planning.
• Support the success of the Ring Out Ring True comprehensive campaign by advancing philanthropic relationships and securing support for the College’s strategic priorities.

Schedule

Full-time, 12-month position. This is a remote position with extensive travel, up to 50%, within the designated region and as needed to support donor engagement. Preference for candidates living in the greater Chicagoland area or Michigan.

Eligibility to Work

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and must not require visa sponsorship from the College, either now or in the future.