Oct 21st, 2026
Rush University Medical Center
About the Organization
Rush University Medical Center is an academic medical center that includes a 671-bed hospital serving adults and children, the 61-bed Johnston R. Bowman Health Center and Rush University. Rush University is home to one of the first medical colleges in the Midwest and one of the nation's top-ranked nursing colleges, as well as graduate programs in allied health, health systems management and biomedical research. The medical center also offers more than 70 highly selective residency and fellowship programs in medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties. For more than 170 years, Rush has been leading the way in developing innovative and often life-saving treatments. Today, Rush is a thriving center for basic and clinical research, with physicians and scientists involved in hundreds of research projects developing and testing the effectiveness and safety of new therapies and medical devices. In addition to its mission in patient care, education and research, Rush maintains a strong commitment to the community. Rush reaches out to the Chicago community through such offerings as the Rush Community Services Initiatives Program, an umbrella for several student-led outreach programs designed to address the social and health care needs of residents in neighboring communities.
Job Description
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Hospital: Rush University Medical Center
Department: Philanthropy
Work Type: Full Time
Work Schedule: 8 Hr (8:30 AM - 5:00 PM)
Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at our Rush benefits page (https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits).
Pay Range: $98,612.00-$125,000.00
Rush salaries are determined by many factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related experience and skills, as well as internal equity and industry specific market data. The pay range for each role reflects Rush’s anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. Offers may vary depending on the circumstances of each case.
Summary:
The Director of Development, Major Gifts is responsible for developing and implementing fundraising plans to secure gifts of $100,000 and above. This position serves as key member of the Neurosciences major gifts fundraising team at Rush. The Director of Development, Major Gifts is responsible for maintaining a major gift pipeline across a variety of clinical specialties in the Neurosciences program, engaging physician partners to facilitate referrals, and building relationships focused on moving prospects through the donor cycle. This position reports to the Senior Director, Major Gifts and works closely and collaboratively with major gifts officers, the prospect management team, stewardship team, and the annual giving team. Exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.
Responsibilities
Other information:
Required Job Qualifications:
Baccalaureate degree.
Five or more years of increasingly responsible positions in development or a related field, preferably in a health care or higher education setting.
Proven success in building relationships with key volunteers, administrative colleagues, and donors
Face-to-face cultivation/solicitation experience with a proven track record of securing major gifts.
Initiative, sound judgement, and an ability to work collaboratively to move programs and prospective donors forward.
Interest in and sensitivity to the special needs of patients and their families.
Willingness to work evenings and weekends, as necessary.
Professional demeanor.
Ability to articulate Rush's mission and the campaign vision to a variety of constituencies with poise and diplomacy.
Preferred Job Qualifications:
Advanced degree.
Responsibilities:
Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of 100-125 major giving prospects
Carry an individual fundraising goal in the range of $1M to $3M
Build a portfolio of grateful patient prospects and identify their philanthropic interests at Rush by building strong working relationships with physicians throughout the Neurosciences program and other areas as assigned.
Develop and implement strategies for cultivation and solicitation of these prospects incorporating input from research, volunteers, medical staff, and colleagues, including prospect assignment and strategy sessions.
Maintain a strong understanding of key clinical and research programs throughout the Neurosciences program. Be able to accurately and efficiently articulate related fundraising goals and objectives to prospects.
In collaboration with management, develop fundraising plans for specific programs in accordance with performance targets.
Inform senior medical and administrative management of Rush and related practices of these plans, eliciting their comments and support for the philanthropy program and their involvement in the fundraising process.
Prepare major gift proposals, reports, acknowledgement letters, qualification lead letters, and other materials as needed, in collaboration with the major gifts team writer and with the donor relations team.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Significant experience in major gift campaigns; experience in an academic medical center highly desired.
Face-to-face cultivation/solicitation experience.
Excellent oral and written communication, analytic, and interpersonal skills. Proven track record developing proposals and fundraising plans, as well as generating creative and innovative fundraising strategies.
Initiative, sound judgment, and an ability to work collaboratively to move programs and prospects forward.
Professional experience in achieving goals within a complex organizational structure subject to detailed business procedures and policies. Demonstrated problem-solving ability in complex and ambiguous situations.
Proven success in building relationships with key volunteers, administrative colleagues and donors, coupled with demonstrated consensus-building skills.
Ability to build close working relations with both MDs and research faculty.
Time management skills in the context of multiple competing priorities.
Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.
Contact email for applicants: Elizabeth_Stanger@rush.edu