Major Gifts Officer

CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: Major Gifts Officer DEPARTMENT: Institutional Advancement Operating FLSA STATUS: ☐ Exempt JOB SUMMARY: The newly created position of Major Gifts Officer (MGO) will play a key role in raising the level of major gift support for CHM over the next four years. Reporting to the Vice President of External Engagement and Development, the MGO will be responsible for working with the Museum's senior management, Trustees, and others to cultivate, solicit, steward, and engage major donors and highlevel volunteers. CHM completed its most recent campaign in early 2020; as the Museum continues to emerge from the pandemic and evolves its focus to better represent the entirety of Chicago, this MGO will be critical to the identification and qualification of new major donors. The MGO will join a collegial, collaborative, and tenacious team of Development professionals dedicated to the expanded mission of the Chicago History Museum. The ideal candidate will be an outgoing and engaging team player with a history of success cultivating major gifts. This MGO should bring a passion for the history of Chicago and the motivation to contribute to a growing program. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Within the first 12 to 18 months, the MGO will achieve the following major objectives: • Be fully integrated with the Development team, working collaboratively to achieve team goals. • Engage with a portfolio, while actively cultivating 20 to 30 donors and prospects toward new or increased giving. • Actively participate in securing $400,000 in unrestricted revenue in the first year from major donors in partnership with the President and the Vice President of External Engagement and Development. QUALIFICATIONS: The ideal candidate will possess most of the following qualifications and characteristics: • A minimum of five years of development experience, preferably with prior experience engaging a diverse pool of donors and prospects in the Chicago philanthropic community. • Successful history of meeting and exceeding major gifts or high-level annual fund goals is required; capital campaign and/or planned giving experience is an advantage. • Comfort and familiarity utilizing donor databases, particularly Altru; excellent time management skills. • Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and analytic skills; the ability to be both creative and strategic, and communicate ideas, concepts, and plans with enthusiasm and diplomacy. • A high level of emotional intelligence and ability to build meaningful relationships both internally and externally, across a spectrum of personalities, backgrounds, and age groups. • Intellectually curious and self-motivated to contribute to building and growing a robust major gifts program. • A passion for and commitment to the mission, vision, values, and programs of the Chicago History Museum. • A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: The salary range for this position is $115,000 to $125,000 and is based on skills, qualifications, and experience. The Chicago History Museum offers a comprehensive and flexible benefits package that can be customized to work for you. Options include medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and accident, long-term disability, and voluntary additional life insurance; 401(k) plan; paid time off including vacation, sick days, holidays, and personal days; employee assistance programs; discounts at the Museum Store and North & Clark Café; free or reduced admission to participating Chicago cultural institutions.CHM offers a hybrid work environment with a minimum of two days per week on site at the museum to engage in collaborative team building. The Development team is on site every Tuesday. REPORTS TO: Michael Anderson CHM MISSION To serve as the primary destination for learning, inspiration, and civic engagement, connecting people to Chicago's history and each other. CHM CORE VALUES: Collaboration: We honor all lived experiences, skills, and goals, weaving them into our work to collectively share stories of history and culture. Integrity: We conduct all business and build internal and external relationships on the foundation of honesty, camaraderie, and professional fellowship. Respect: We listen to understand, and we affirm other people's perspectives and contributions. We show up for others and treat them as they want to be treated. Curiosity: We invite questions and celebrate investigation, encouraging meaningful connections with history and a sense of wonder about our complex city. Innovation: We anticipate the need to adapt and evolve, embracing new ideas that will propel the Museum to increase success. Service: We actively cultivate a responsive and supportive culture where all people are valued and respected. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY & ACCOMMODATIONS CHM is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations as required by law. LEGAL NOTICE This job description is not an express or implied contract. Employment is at will unless otherwise provided by law or an applicable collective bargaining agreement. Hybrid / On-Site Work Statement: This position may require on-site work at CHM facilities. Remote or hybrid work arrangements, if any, are subject to CHM policy and, where applicable, any collective bargaining agreement.

Created: 2026-03-10